D&D 4TH ED

[strand0]

Being clear-headed adults we know that Wizards of the Coast (WotC) will make a 4th ED. So when should it be.

To get things rolling I present:

I do have hard evidence, it's called "the history of the modern RPG market." It is simply the way the print industry works. You publish an RPG and then do support products. Over time you see diminishing returns. At a certain point, you have to do a new edition to rekindle interest in the line. Then the cycle starts again. WotC is not immune to this. I am 100% certain they will do a 4th edition. They have to. I suspect it'll appear sometime over the next few years. If I'm right, tying Freeport to 3.5 would be a stupid idea.

Not really evidence. Myself and my gaming group and most other gamers I have spoken with know there will be a new edition of D&D. Like you yourself have said it's only a matter of time. The only ones who really dispute this are the hardcore fans of D&D. Otherwise yes I am in complete agreement with you about a new edition coming out. Though I will defer to your expertise in this area as I am not a game publisher you are.

Though if WotC has any sense they will wait at least another five years before doing a new edition. At the very least the next edition should be more different than than 3.5.

It seems to me that the time to Publish D&D 4th would be when the WotC stockroom is running low/out of 3.5 merchandise. It will just be cold numbers.

Why does Memorax you think 5 years is sensible? Do you agree? Do you have another time-line?

I have friends how are still playing AD&D (1st ED). They had big plans to upgrade to AD&D 2nd, but even after several more years they have not.

[Dragonspawn]

The only information I have on 4e that comes directly from the source (WOTC) can be found in an official interview here:
www.gamingreport.com/article.php?sid=18299

Q: 4th edition.
A: As you heard here last year, D&D is doing so well, it's the most popular it's ever been, all RPGs evolve and change. Maybe someday, but right now the success, how much fans love it, how much we love it, we'll not monkey with it just for the hell of it. We'll give you 1-2 years warning. We'll change it if the game needs it. We won't spring it on you.

WOTC is a buisness, so exactly when they introduce 4e will be strictly a buisness decision for them, so I suspect you are right that the timing will be determined by the numbers. Acording to their represenative we should get a few years notice.

[dreamscaper]

I have to say I hope they at least wait 3 years since i still don't really know the 3.5 rules even though i have DMed about 3 campaigns by now (the players made sure i didn't break any rules and since i concentrate on roleplaying over combat it worked out) it would be nice to know those before they change it. I really havent yet gotten off loving 2nd ed. But it has become more important for me to keep alternity alive in my group.