I just went to Wizards of the Coast's web site to check out the April Fool's page and noticed something... interesting.
World Wide Dungeons & Dragons Day was in November last year. This year it is June 7. That is two weeks prior to Free RPG Day.
So WotC is co-opting (preempting? first-striking?) a retail sales event created by the 3rd party market by holding their November event in June to coincide with 4E's release.
Meanwhile the 3rd party market still can't release their 4E modules/products because WotC won't release the GSL.
Something seems unbalanced in this equation...
I noticed that too. I'm not saying there is anything intentional going on, but at the same time, given that they already have had some PR issues and that the 3rd party market is a little on edge due to the lack of an OGL/GSL or whatever is in the making, it doesn't seem like it was the best move they could have made.
Didn't mean to imply anything conspiratorial or intentional either. It's just that with all the problems they've had trying to bring the 3rd parties on-board, to upstage them in this way seems wrong. Adds more fuel to the fire...
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Come on now! Of course it was planned! They moved the day forward by 6 months!!! Hell, yes it is a ploy. Just another in a long line. Oh yeah, they are probably really sorry if it hurts the 3rd party publishers. Right. They own the day so of course someone is gonna pop on here saying "Wizards made the day, they can do what they want with it" or "they are just like any company trying to make a profit" but it is still a sleazy thing to do.
Although, comspiracy theories are always fun, this is probably just not caring about the 3rd Party publishers. They need to have game demonstrations for 4th Edition. It makes sense to have it as near publishing of 4th Edition as possible. I was wondering what they were going to do to kick off 4th Edition since D&D Game Day is in Nov. Now I know.
Edit: That does not make it nice though.
Thread Jack alert:
Hey DitheringFool, I posted something for you on your Savage Tide games discussion thread.
Although, comspiracy theories are always fun, this is probably just not caring about the 3rd Party publishers. They need to have game demonstrations for 4th Edition. It makes sense to have it as near publishing of 4th Edition as possible. I was wondering what they were going to do to kick off 4th Edition since D&D Game Day is in Nov. Now I know.
Edit: That does not make it nice though.
Well, this will give me my excuse to go see what 4.0 is all about... information is power. Besides, I had a blast at the last World Wide D&D Day.
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Come on now! Of course it was planned! They moved the day forward by 6 months!!! Hell, yes it is a ploy. Just another in a long line. Oh yeah, they are probably really sorry if it hurts the 3rd party publishers. Right. They own the day so of course someone is gonna pop on here saying "Wizards made the day, they can do what they want with it" or "they are just like any company trying to make a profit" but it is still a sleazy thing to do.
I disagree... I think I own the day.
:)
I'm not sure I share in the general outrage. I think having D&D Day just prior to Free RPG day might encourage more people to participate. Personally I've never done anything with Free RPG day, but this year I might give it a look. I think it might work to the advantage of both events. That and I am jazzed like crazy that D&D Day is coming earlier this year! I've really been looking forward to it from the last couple--it's like Christmas for me!
Seriously though, the third party community might grumble about it, but I really don't see it as that underhanded or even unhelpful. Having the two days closer together seems like it will raise the tide for both.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Meh, really doesn't bother me. I was going to skip this year anyway, since last time every other participant besides myself and the store-DM were annoying teenagers.
I'll just have to see if I can grab a corner and run a 3.x dungeon. Seven Swords of Sin dungeon crawl anyone?
I'm not sure I share in the general outrage. I think having D&D Day just prior to Free RPG day might encourage more people to participate. Personally I've never done anything with Free RPG day, but this year I might give it a look. I think it might work to the advantage of both events. That and I am jazzed like crazy that D&D Day is coming earlier this year! I've really been looking forward to it from the last couple--it's like Christmas for me!
Seriously though, the third party community might grumble about it, but I really don't see it as that underhanded or even unhelpful. Having the two days closer together seems like it will raise the tide for both.
But how much better would it have been to have the 3rd parties ready and excited to go with THEIR 4E adventures for Free RPG Day as originally planned? That would have been a synergistic boost for both. As it is, 4E launches and the rest are left with...?
I just went to Wizards of the Coast's web site to check out the April Fool's page and noticed something... interesting.
World Wide Dungeons & Dragons Day was in November last year. This year it is June 7. That is two weeks prior to Free RPG Day.
So WotC is co-opting (preempting? first-striking?) a retail sales event created by the 3rd party market by holding their November event in June to coincide with 4E's release.
Meanwhile the 3rd party market still can't release their 4E modules/products because WotC won't release the GSL.
Something seems unbalanced in this equation...
I've received the Game Day package from WotC for our WWDDGD in Korea. The package is very similar to the ones in the past, and it includes free give aways for anyone who plays.
Each player will get to keep their character sheet, the mini of the character they play, and a d20. Granted, it's not like they're giving away lots of stuff, but there are things to be had.
The DMs get a two-sided map, a set of dice, a short adventure, and all the minis used for the adventure.
As a coordinator for WWDDGD in Korea, I have other promotional items that were left over from previous WotC-sanctioned events that will be given away, as well.
Still... I hope you're up to going out and seeing the event. I love the World Wide D&D Game Day events, and I hope WotC continues to support the gaming community through it as they have for the past four years. The more that the Game Day gets support from us gamers, the better the next events can be.
Casey Jacobson
I have to agree with Big Jake on this one.
Though I will not be playing 4.0 on a regular basis for some time to come, D&D Day is a great opportunity to get out and meet fellow gamers in the area, compare notes, and have a good time doing what we love... gaming.
Checking out 4.0 and it's big differences to 3.5 will be tops on my list this time around. I have not had any real interest from my players about switching over at this time, but a good DM always has as much info at his fingertips as possible.
D&D Day in November was great, and I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll have a good time at the next one too...
-Roth