- more flexible magic item creation
wich will not cost XP.
Don't knock me and adopt a sarcastic tone because I'm not skipping for joy at the thought of WotC drastically changing a game that I've enjoying for over 25 years, especially when my reaction is based on the information that WotC is releasing.Disinterest in 4e because you're opposed to further changes to the game you play actually makes sense, if you're happy with the current state of your game. (Although if you're playing some form of 3e, that's not the same game you or I have been enjoying for over 25 years, so you've already weathered drastic changes in the past.)
As a guy who has worked to create a heavily houseruled version of Castles & Crusades that draws from AD&D and 3rd edition, I can honestly say that 3rd edition's designers kept A LOT of AD&D's flavor in the game. Flipping back and forth between the books, you'll see that a lot of AD&D material (especially flavor text) was kept intact.
Look at the monk and druid in 3.x and compare them to their 1st edition (w/Unearthed Arcana material) analogues and you'll see that 3.X's creators really worked to maintain the flavor/abilities of both classes while working to make each class easier to play within the framework of the d20 system (which was a HUGE step forward for D&D). The same goes for plenty of other class abilities, spells, racial abilities and magic items in 3.X.
What was changed, for the most part, made sense and improved the game for a majority of those who played D&D. 3.X drew a lot of people who gave up on AD&D during the 2nd edition days back into the fold (at least that's what seemed to happen from what I read on WotC's boards over the years and from what I've seen in local gaming groups).
I'll readily admit that 3.X got bloated because WotC kept churning out splatbooks and supplemental materials (they are a business... they need to churn out products... I get that) and that high-level play (due to stacking effects and book-keeping headaches) is far too slow.
I'd welcome changes that fixed those aspects of 3.X but, otherwise, kept the game intact and relatively compatible with all of the 3.X products I own.
Here's my gripe list (based on some of what I've read/heard):
I don't welcome the digital initiative because I'd like to own hardcopies of my gaming materials and only invest in software applications that I can install and use at my leisure (without rental fees).
I'm not pleased that racial abilities have been "spread out" and made more complicated... racial abilities have never been a source of headaches for me in 3.X. At the same time, tieflings and Eberron races should not be in the PHB as a core races. The PHB should be kept simple and should use Greyhawk as its core setting.
I don't welcome the move away from Greyhawk as the core setting.
Resource management has been a tactical aspect of D&D for years and is part of what I like about D&D as opposed to, say, Shadowrun. I see no reason to switch from the 20-level class structure that has existed ever since I started playing AD&D in 1981 and feel that any post-20th level play should not be "core".
That's all for now... there's more but I think I've griped enough for the time being.
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Here's my gripe list (based on some of what I've read/heard):
I don't welcome the digital initiative because I'd like to own hardcopies of my gaming materials
That, from what I’ve read isn’t going to change (except Dragon and Dungeon magazines). Books will be books.
and only invest in software applications that I can install and use at my leisure (without rental fees).
However, the use of such software is neither necessary nor integral to playing and enjoying 4e D&D. It’s more like sprinkles on your ice cream (albeit, rented sprinkles)–completely optional.
I'm not pleased that racial abilities have been "spread out" and made more complicated... racial abilities have never been a source of headaches for me in 3.X.
Fair enough. I don’t see a problem with it, however.
At the same time, tieflings and Eberron races should not be in the PHB as a core races.
I agree.
The PHB should be kept simple and should use Greyhawk as its core setting.
I don't welcome the move away from Greyhawk as the core setting.
This is me agreeing again.
Resource management has been a tactical aspect of D&D for years and is part of what I like about D&D as opposed to, say, Shadowrun. I see no reason to switch from the 20-level class structure that has existed ever since I started playing AD&D in 1981 and feel that any post-20th level play should not be "core".
This is me disagreeing. Breaking out my tattered copy of the 1e AD&D PHB, I’d like to point out that level advancement never stopped at 20–in fact, the spells per level table for both clerics and magic-users goes up to 29th-level. It was only in Dragonlance Adventures (which served as a rules test bed for 2e) that a level cap was introduced (at 18th-level--2e AD&D would later up this 20th-level), but that was rather particular to the setting. Also, the “basic” D&D rule set capped levels at 36th-level.
So, the 30 levels in 4e isn’t an axing of some sacred cow of D&D (though it would haven been cooler if 4e’s cap was 36th-level)–it’s just a a change from 2 & 3.x editions.
I've been a lurker for some time now and have finally been compelled to post.
I am not concerned about the future generation embracing our hobby. I have been a high school teacher for some time now.
I've had kids enthusiastically describe their Maunty Haul campaigns fighting devil lords and demon princes, others who brought in characters to show me, and have been asked several times to sponsor a gaming club. I even had a teaching assistant give me a weekly report on her Star Wars campaign for a year.
They are the same kind of kids I started playing with when I was *ahem* that age. They are intelligent and in some respects more sophisticated and mature than many of their peers. They gravitate toward intense, high-time investment hobbies like D+D, theatre, dance, auto-tech, and art. They are very independent, tending to avoid mainstream trends and doing what works for them (it's a tough kinda person to be in high school, but will serve them well once they escape).
While online gaming and video gaming are huge, if anything, I think they draw more mainstream types into our hobby.
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I understand what WotC is trying to do. I am intrigued by 4e and am more than willing to agree that 3.5e has run its course. However, I am going to adopt a wait and see attitude concerning the game to determine if what they are offering is good enough to cause me to update to a new edition.
To Sebastian's original points, I also understand their business needs and desire to bring in new players through a medium the younger players already understand and utilize. I do have concerns, however, that WotC is reaching for the MMORPG market before the technology they really need is ready. At the risk of providing more useless antecedal evidence, I offer the following.
I have four boys, ages 13, 12 (almost), 8 and 4. Some background on the oldest three:
* All have played D&D with me, the 8 and 12 year old really liked it
* All have played WoW - it is a huge hit with them though I ditched our subscription after a year because it was boring for me
* All have tried Everquest for a short time
* All play Neverwinter Nights (they are currently playing through NWN2 and love it) and Baldur's Gate/BG2 and really like the stories and character development there
* The oldest loves to read fantasy novels, especially the FR stuff and my early Conan novels plus Neuormancer and the like
* All are doing very good in school, are well socialized and have outside activities
* All love their PS3 and PS2 and my XBox 360.
* All really like the concept of building their own maps for Sid Meier's Civ 4, Heroes of Might and Magic, StarCraft, and Neverwinter Nights. They have even been successful at times.
* All have a Nintendo DS and play with people from all over via our wireless internet connection
* Most importantly for this discussion, all have faded from D&D as a game; we just don't play anymore.
I have talked to them about their lack of interest in D&D (and their friends' lack of interest) and this is what they tell me:
Their video/PC-based games are (in their view) far superior to the gaming experience they get through D&D. They find the sensory experience of dramatic and appropriately-timed music, quality graphics and stunning sound effects to be critically important. They want a strong story, character development, freedom to roam/act, multiple solution paths and the like, but they are strongly against having to maintain and understand the underlying mechanics to make this happen. They also are very pressed for time between school and outside activities and have trouble synchronizing their schedules with their friends' schedules, so they want to be able to quickly start and stop the games they play. They want their games to be highly portable, both physically (so they can bike over to a friends house with all they need) and transferable, so progress made in one game can be transferred to another, similar game. They really enjoy character/resource management and customization, but do not want the drudgery of doing it all by hand. Watching a character physically change before their eyes when they acquire a new ability or item is of high importance to them.
It seems to me that WotC is trying to snag kids like mine as D&D players by appealing to their console gaming and MMORPG experience. Their attempt appears to consist of streamlining the rules and providing a virtual tabletop where they can meet to play. My belief is that their move to the DI and an online/virtual tabletop is a good conceptual idea, but it simply isn't going to work. The technology isn't there yet. I talked to my kids about what little I know of the DI and they were at first very interested. They wanted to know if it would be rendered in 3d (not fake 3d ala the original Diablo, they want full 3d thank you very much, HD is a plus) or if it would be like Fantasy Grounds (a virtual tabletop). They asked if 4e would provide rapid online design tools (think NWN2 design engine, but rapid development) for DM's so custom scenarios can be created by people of their age in a few hours without the need to be a scripting genius. Of course there is no way that the DI will offer these things. The technology is out there, but no one has put the right pieces together for a price available to the average consumer. What WotC is offering isn't even what I would call "mature technology", it is archaic.
I see 4e as a step in the right direction, but I do not think it is going to win over this younger audience; it isn't even going to come close. This isn't to say that 4e will be useless, but it just will not draw in the audience they would really like to target. The kids out there today live in a digitally vibrant, integrated visual world and share the same with friends from around the globe. Their games and entertainment constantly push the envelope in terms of interaction and realism and that is what they expect and can already get today from a mix of console and PC-based games. 4e D&D is like the Atari 2600; sure it might be an improvement over the original Atari console, but who would buy one now?
Besides, the industry isn't really that hurt. May be WotC is, but WhiteWolf doesnt seem to be doing too badly. Looking further down to yet smaller companies, we see Green Ronin and the likes doing good with their stuff. Yet smaller are the indie games scene, which is still experiencing a boom and growing.
This, I feel, is one of the key points in the whole 4th edition & DnDinsider move.
Wizards see this as the only way to support an evergrowing business structure, a structure that the industry might actually not be able to support. To put it in other words, I have a feeling that Wizards (well, mostly the D&D department) might have grown too big for the market (and thus its own good).With growing demands for ever increasing margins and an expanding organization (although apparently mostly on the "business" side of the company, judging from the lay-offs over the last couple of years) the question begs to be asked: Can the RPG market fulfill these demands? Has Wizards finally outgrown their place in the food chain?
That's why smaller companies are faring better, they have a smaller staff, smaller production costs, smaller housing expenses etc.. Thus, presumably, a higher overhead for each product, which, in turn, doesn't need to be spread out amongst nearly as many people.
(Sorry if I've repeated myself above, I'm seriously overdue for my bed)
Has Wizards finally outgrown their place in the food chain?
That's why smaller companies are faring better, they have a smaller staff, smaller production costs, smaller housing expenses etc.. Thus, presumably, a higher overhead for each product, which, in turn, doesn't need to be spread out amongst nearly as many people.
(Sorry if I've repeated myself above, I'm seriously overdue for my bed)
I think you hit the nail on the head! Hasbro and WotC are trying to make D&D more of a cash cow than it could possibly be. Ultimately I hope they give up on D&D and sell off the rights to some other company (Paizo, Green Ronin, etc) with realistic expectations as to how much profit D&D can generate while respecting the game's history, its loyal players, and the wishes of those who love the game (basically that they don't muck with it too much just for the sake of turning a profit).
I blame Eberron. There... I said it.
Now, we might be on to something here.
I've checked the WotC web site for 4th ed stuff. Here is what I figured out.
I haven't read anything that said you need a subscription to gain on line content. You need a product code off the game books.
Apperently at the core it is still d20 system.
I haven't heard anything about closing OGL in 4th edition. I hope they keep that,may be even provide online support for third party developers.
As far as paying for a game system;
A PS2 cost over $200.00, when 3rd edition came out.
I bought the first run of the 3rd edition core rule books and the were $19.95. So I paid $60 for all three books.
An xbox cost over $300.00 when 3.5 came out.
All three core 3.5 books would cost about $90.
So now with the PS3 game system (Playstation 3rd edition) costing $800, 4th edition D&D will still be a bargain for an upgraded game experience (My players all agree, I am better than any computer game, 100 xp all arround). At least I hope.
MY concern was that they were going to make D&D a tradable mini game (ala Fane of the Drow), but from what I seen that is not the case.
4th edition is being developed by many of the same people who helped make 3rd edtion so great. So if you liked 3edition have some faith in the developers.
Besides I can't blame WotC for wanting to develop a D&D product I will purchase. The last D&D book I purchased was 3.5 Monster Manual 2 years ago. Since then the only product I have purchased has been the miniatures (hence my fear of 4th edition being a miniature game).
In the end if you love D&D check WotC and find out about 4th edition. If you don't like it save youyr money. There are still 2nd edition hold outs. I'm sure therer will still be a community of 3rd edition hold outs as well. If WotC develops a crappy product in 4th edition, then that community should be quite large.
Any way the others in my gaming group have learned the rules too well, with a fourth edition I can again becoming our gaming groups "Rules Master.., master ...., master ....., master....."
Dude, I still know kids stuck on 1st Edition...
(Note: there was no Eberron in 1st Edition).
Besides I can't blame WotC for wanting to develop a D&D product I will purchase. The last D&D book I purchased was 3.5 Monster Manual 2 years ago. Since then the only product I have purchased has been the miniatures (hence my fear of 4th edition being a miniature game).
Paizo has gotten the majority of my gaming money over the last 2 years. Damn. you money grubbing Paizo. You guys are only in business to make a living.
Dude, I still know kids stuck on 1st Edition...
I don't know any kids who were arround to even see 1st edition book. 1st edition guys are old and crusty like my self 30+ at least.
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Dude, I still know kids stuck on 1st Edition...I don't know any kids who were around to even see 1st edition book. 1st edition guys are old and crusty like my self 30+ at least.
1st edition?
"I want to play an elf"
"Ok"
"What classes do I get to choose from?"
"There aren't any. 'Elf' is the class."
'Old and Crusty' -- Present.
"Hey, wizard! Put the sword down before you cut yourself."
As far as paying for a game system;A PS2 cost over $200.00, when 3rd edition came out.
I bought the first run of the 3rd edition core rule books and the were $19.95. So I paid $60 for all three books.
An xbox cost over $300.00 when 3.5 came out.
All three core 3.5 books would cost about $90.
So now with the PS3 game system (Playstation 3rd edition) costing $800, 4th edition D&D will still be a bargain for an upgraded game experience (My players all agree, I am better than any computer game, 100 xp all arround). At least I hope.
Beyond the question of 4thed being good or not (I do not know and neither does anyone here) I don't think your measuring stick applies. The 360 (or ps3 if that is your thing) is a LOT better than a ps2 or original xbox. For the same to be said of the new dnd version it will have to be twice as fun and 100 times as flashy as the original game, which seems pretty damn unlikely even if it is fun to play. not to mention the PS3 is definitely not flying off the shelf, perhaps related to its extreme price vs. quality? And at the same time the wii IS flying off at a price near to your original ps2 despite the lack of bells and whistles.
I think if there is any parallel with pnp hobby gaming it is that just because you were the king five years ago cant make up for a lack of FUN in your products now.
I've kept out of any fourth edition discussion up until now (beyond random nonsensical rumor starting to pull the gullible from the herd), but after reading the thing on dragons that's up on the WoTC website, I'm a bit concerned. The whole "dragons now get seven actions in a round" thing seems pretty ridiculous. And if it's ridiculously hard to convert from 3.5 to 4, even more reason for trepidation. Not condemning anything, since I like everyone that doesn't work for WoTC have not seen the actual rules, but that's my present opinion.
I don't know any kids who were arround to even see 1st edition book. 1st edition guys are old and crusty like my self 30+ at least.
I don't literally mean young people. But this whole quagmire is aging all of our inner children.
As far as paying for a game system;A PS2 cost over $200.00, when 3rd edition came out.
I bought the first run of the 3rd edition core rule books and the were $19.95. So I paid $60 for all three books.
An xbox cost over $300.00 when 3.5 came out.
All three core 3.5 books would cost about $90.
So now with the PS3 game system (Playstation 3rd edition) costing $800, 4th edition D&D will still be a bargain for an upgraded game experience (My players all agree, I am better than any computer game, 100 xp all arround). At least I hope.
Beyond the question of 4thed being good or not (I do not know and neither does anyone here) I don't think your measuring stick applies. The 360 (or ps3 if that is your thing) is a LOT better than a ps2 or original xbox. For the same to be said of the new dnd version it will have to be twice as fun and 100 times as flashy as the original game, which seems pretty damn unlikely even if it is fun to play. not to mention the PS3 is definitely not flying off the shelf, perhaps related to its extreme price vs. quality? And at the same time the wii IS flying off at a price near to your original ps2 despite the lack of bells and whistles.
I think if there is any parallel with pnp hobby gaming it is that just because you were the king five years ago cant make up for a lack of FUN in your products now.
My point being, people are willing to pay $100s of dollars to continue supporting hobbies and upgrading thier systems. So to upgrade my gaming hobbie is a bargain.
If 4th edition D&D sucks it will fail. Personally I hope 4th edition is successful. D&D 3.5 is not perfect, check some of the other threads arround here, you find a lot of opinions on what does not work in 3.5.
I don't know any kids who were arround to even see 1st edition book. 1st edition guys are old and crusty like my self 30+ at least.I don't literally mean young people. But this whole quagmire is aging all of our inner children.
NOt mine. D&D in any form keeps my inner child strong.
My point being, people are willing to pay $100s of dollars to continue supporting hobbies and upgrading thier systems. So to upgrade my gaming hobbie is a bargain.
In the last four years I have probably spent $200 dollars on D&D gaming prducts (3.5 core books, Dragon mags, Dungeon mags, minis and a few other Paizo products). In the same time I have spent $1500 dollars on surf boards and other equipment (wax, leashes, fins).
So as far as my hobbies go a 4th edition would still be a deal.
Besides I could spend that money on crack and hookers.
Besides I could spend that money on crack and hookers.
Yes, but would you be able to dress and undress the hookers online with 'Virtual Initiative'?
My thoughts about this matter:
First: Tabletop RPGs are based in nothing else than imagination, this is the only kind of entertainment than NEVER, will disappear and NEVER will be outdated. And it will be still atractive for those who enjoy video games, movies, comics and other sources of entertainment. Imagination will never be beaten, ever. This is precisely what attacts from tabletop RPGs, the opportunity to imagine yourself making things that only can ben possible in your dreams. Tabletop RPGs allow you to do what you want, explore what you want, talk to you want, that kind of freedom is unique in a tabletop RPGs. Neither video games nor MMORPGs can reach that kind of freedom. You can calm your conscience saying "he is wrong MMORPGs are better, I can do whatever I want there", but you ALWAYS, ALWAYS, wanted do things the game did not allow you and ALWAYS had to take only the choices the game gave you.
I am not speaking ill of MMORPGs, but I say that they would be my last choice. The fist want: tabletop RPGs.
Second: No discussion about complexity and completeness of d20 system, I don't want to try anything else I stick with it d20 is the best system ever created. No one needs a system to Role Playing, you can role play without any system, but when you are talking about action resolution, d20 is the best you can get. I tried some other systems but no other one could bring a so complete set or rules.
However the discussion here WHY A 4TH EDITION? IS IT NECESSARY?
Perhaps people at Wizard feel some pressure from the fact that some other games as Shadowrun is reaching a 5th edition. But what is the difference between Shadowrun and D&D. D&D has the biggest comunity ever seen to support a game, the biggest army of publishers ever seen for a game and the biggest quantity of products ever produced for a game.
Is necessary a 4th edition? NO NO NO it is NOT necessary. The bulk of products published more than 5000 I think and the WEB free products another 5000 I think can provide the possibilities to make the d20 system as customizable and perfect as you like. If you don't like a rule probably some publisher fixed it for you. SO THERE IS NOT NEED FOR A FOURTH EDITION.
Third: The Reason to advance from a D&D basic to D&D expert to AD&D to AD&D second edition to D&D 3.0 to D&D 3.5 was the desire to improve the game, the game improved the game evolved the game became perfect. SO WHY A NEW EDITION? NO improving, only MONEY$$$$$.
Yes, everybody who has studied a little about marketing knows that the two words than sell more are free and NEW. People likes novelties and WOTC knows that only bringing a new edition they can extract money from people. Have you seen their last products or the last products from the d20 publishers? Are they originals? "There is nothing new under the sky" said wise Salomon, there is nothing left to say, everything is almost said, but WOTC needs to make money (and no one can blame them for that) so they now come with a new edition now you have to buy all the new core books and later they will recycle all their campaign settings and will sell new "updated" books, then they will recycle everything about races, classes, magic, feats, monsters, and who knows what else and will sell "updated books". And after 7 or 8 years they will bring the "better and player friendly" 5th edition (5dventure with countdown and everything). And so on till people at last notice the trap or older gamers be dead so no one knows about this.
Fourth and last: I WON'T BUY 5TH EDITION, I WON'T PLAY FITH EDITION (if I get a 5th edition good adventure first it will be converted to 3.5). My life won't be enough to read and play all what has been written for the d20 system, you can play over decades every d20 module on the market or on the web and you would never repeat a single one. And if you add to this all the modules from previous editions that have been converted to 3.5 edition you will need to lives to play all the stuff in existence. And unless you play everyday 3 to 4 hours I think many of us will die without seeing all what there is from the d20 system. Why a change? why starting something new when we haven't yet explored what we have now? Yes, money, and many will fall in the trap. The d20 comunity must be strong now and continue supporting our beloved system.
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Dude, I still know kids stuck on 1st Edition...I don't know any kids who were around to even see 1st edition book. 1st edition guys are old and crusty like my self 30+ at least.1st edition?
"I want to play an elf"
"Ok"
"What classes do I get to choose from?"
"There aren't any. 'Elf' is the class."'Old and Crusty' -- Present.
Old and Crusty myself, however the majority of my experience has been with 3.x, maily due to being raised in an area where kids my age were subjected to D&D is the Devil crap. And, because of my limited pre-3rd Edition experience, I for one look forward to an expansion of a hobby that I love so much my girlfriend has gotten pissed at me for talking about it too much :)
Errate I wanted say: I WON'T BUY FOURTH EDITION I WON'T PLAY FOURTH EDITION
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Errate I wanted say: I WON'T BUY FOURTH EDITION I WON'T PLAY FOURTH EDITION
Maybe WOTC understimate the strenght of a united comunity of 3.5 supporters.
Forgotten Realms is the setting I use for my campaign I have been playing with 3.5 rules and have never touched the 3rd edition book of the FR setting.
As part of the "comunity of 3.5 supporters" you showed your support by having "never touched the 3rd edition book of the FR setting" and because of the support that you have shown WotC with 3.5 you "WON'T BUY FOURTH EDITION"?
Um... ok.
Y'know, model railroading is still out there and still has its devotees.
When I was a kid, gaming was an even more obscure and nerds-only activity than it is now.
These days, model railroading is considerably more obscure than roleplaying games. But somehow, model railroading still has print magazines.
-The Gneech
Obscurity depends on where you live. My father built and owned a "hobby store" back in the '70s which fully a third was devoted to railroading. it was doing well 'till he died. Store is gone now because his partner made bad choices afterwards, not due to lack of sales. Currently, there are more railroading stores in strip malls or within hobby stores. There are not nearly as many FLGS as "hobby stores". All the FLGS I know have CCGs and such as a section. Why? Because it sells.
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The next generation of D&D gamers will come from the current generation of D&D players. Some, literally. My two daughters and the boy across the street play D&D 3.5 because that is what I run. When they get older and have disposable income of their own, I would bet hard cash that at least two of them will be playing D&D, although I won't hold to what edition they'll be playing.
D&D will not die.
D&D will not die. It may no longer be a Big Company game. Our numbers may wane. But as long as people like me, and people like the teachers that have posted here, have passion for the game, and introduce that passion to succeeding generations, D&D will never die.
The roleplaying experience is not one that can be conveyed any other way than to sit someone down and play with them.
All of the above purely my opinion, but it is an honest and earnest opinion.
I think that all of this hot air generated by Sebastion, Real Brain, and others is a waste of valuable energy.
I think everyone should save the mindless ranting (good or bad) until after 4e comes out and we know something more about it (it might be crap or it might be good). There's just way too much testosterone flowing around here.
I shall make no excuses about the fact that I am equally parts excited and trepidatious about 4e, but I'm not willing to make a call on it one way or another until after the edition comes out. I will probably buy it (I'm a gamer who likes collecting books), but that doesn't necessarily mean I will convert over.
I think everyone should save the mindless ranting (good or bad) until after 4e comes out and we know something more about it (it might be crap or it might be good).
You are absolutely right! We should get back to discussing Lindsey Lohan.
Psha! Since when does my opinion or my right to express my opinion depend on factual information?
Least she ain't gonna be Wonder Woman now. With all those damn freckles.
Freckles is teh sexy.
Och! Don't be daft, man! Wonder Woman anna gonae freckles!
Who is this wonder bread woman you speak of? I'm just talking about the freckles.
Now...will Lindsey be a demon or a devil in 4e?
I am as much of a computer gamer as I am a role player.
My problem with what I have seen of fourth edition via youtube is that it is so far below par for the current crop of games.
I would love a virtual desktop that allows me to play with anyone from anywhere at any time, with voip and collaborative tools.
I want a digital component that makes the game easier to run but keeps the controls firmly in our grasp.
I want to be able to change things on the fly then watch it animate with 3.0 shaders in dx10.
I love the idea of having the temple of elemental evil engine on steroids with a full suite of tools to empower and enable gamers.
That does not seem to be what is in the offing. It needs superb skills in game construction by a AAA studio. Not an in-house novice approach.
I think that all of this hot air generated by [people in general] is a waste of valuable energy.
Agreed. I suspect that those vowing never to look at a 4e book now will cave...they are the same folks who will want the 4e material for fodder to gripe about. 4e gamers will have little use for 3.x rules lawyers, splatbook gurus, munchkin build experts, and "in the good-old daysers."
It has been entertaining to read these 4e boards as of late. Doubtless it is the passion that gamers feel for our game and the fear that 4e changes will bring that encourages angry sentiments, impulse vows, frustrations, etc. One could spend a lifetime playing the 3.x game...there has been so much material generated for that game...if you like playing 3.x play it and relax! If you love the idea of a new game (4e), get it and play. I think that how one approaches the release of 4e as telling us something about that person...half full vs. half empty. It's all about perspective. This is your friendly neighborhood ACE encouriging you to buck up, campers. 4e will be just toot'n fine.
As ever,
ACE
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That does not seem to be what is in the offing. It needs superb skills in game construction by a AAA studio. Not an in-house novice approach.
I dunno... I mean, the WotC website never crashes.... why would we be worried that they can't do some kickass programming in-house without partnering with some good developers? ;-)