Holy Crap, 4th Edition???

[Xeviat]

So, RoseofMontegue has apparently been spreading the word, but I wanted to be the first to post on our boards.

If you go to www.wizards.com/dnd , it is currently a countdown clock to something called 4dventure. Go check it out. There are threads on wizards of the coast and EnWorld right now, speculating away.

So, what of our hopes and fears?

[khyron1144]

I doubt it's fourth edition.

Normally there'd be at least a year's build-up of announcements in Dragon and so on.

Of course, they did kill Dragon, which makes you wonder.

It's also approaching the ten year mark for 3e anyway, even 3.5 is starting to get old.

At one time WotC was on record as saying they plan on adopting a more CCG-like marketing strategy for the D&D brand and do a new edition everytime the sales on the PHB and similar core products start dropping off.

I don't think it's 4e.  It's probably just a new module/ adventure series or something.

[Numinous]

Well, this was gonna happen sooner or later.  I suggest that we wait for the press release that is probably going to happen when the timer at WotC hits zero.

All the speculation has already been said multiple times.  All I can say is that 4E is coming, as I saw and posted on the 4E damage-control boards the Wiz_O's had set-up and recently hid from the public eye.

Just my thoughts, carry on.

[khyron1144]

All the speculation has already been said multiple times.  All I can say is that 4E is coming, as I saw and posted on the 4E damage-control boards the Wiz_O's had set-up and recently hid from the public eye.

Just my thoughts, carry on.

4e damage control boards?

I have heard nothing of these.  Although, my WotC-boards acivity is mostly by way of bookmarked specific forums, so I might not have looked at the master list of forums in a few months.

[Elven Doritos]

4e damage control boards?

I have heard nothing of these.  Although, my WotC-boards acivity is mostly by way of bookmarked specific forums, so I might not have looked at the master list of forums in a few months.

There was a post on a forum that was presumably supposed to be hidden from public view (for now) by the community liason that read as follows:

The announcement of 4th Edition is a pretty big event for all RPG fans. It's a huge event for all of us at Wizards of the Coast, including WotC staff and our WizO support team. We understand that this is something many of you are going to feel very passionate about in a number of ways.
 
 We've created this forum for few reasons. We want everyone to have a single discussion forum where they can get answers and information directly from the D&D staff. We also want to prevent the other forums from being overwhelmed with 4E posts to the point that it drowns out any of the natural discussion in those areas. Additionally, I want to have a single forum where our community can post their hopes, fears, concerns, and dreams about 4E. This will make it easier for the D&D staff to read community feedback, and to (hopefully) provide a lot of answers to your questions.
 
 The WizOs will be moderating this forum and others. They are acting on the direction of Wizards of the Coast, so if you're upset with their moderation, please don't take it out on the WizOs. Their goals will be clear: Keep 4th Edition discussion in the 4E forum. This might mean locking threads and/or moving posts.  
 
 If you have concerns, questions, or issues about the forum moderation taking place after the 4th Edition announcement, I've created a thread here where you may discuss your concerns.
 
 Finally, please try to be respectful in your posts and comments. Be nice to other posters, the WizOs, and WotC staff. The WizOs will be enforcing all Code of Conduct rules on all forums as usual.
 
 If you have any suggestions or ideas on how I can do a better job of helping to facilitate communication between the D&D Staff and the Community, I've created a thread here.  
 
 Thanks!
 -Mike

My guess is it will be back up when things "officially" break at GenCon and online.

[Numinous]

There was a sub-forum accessible for a short period of time on the WotC boards.  Click here for a screen-shot.  I can guarantee that picture isn't a fake because I posted on those boards myself.  WotC asked for feedback, and somebody found it due to a privacy settings error (popular theory).

EDIT: ...and ElDo has a copy of the letter.

[Stargate525]

Or it could be the worlds most terrible, riot inducing joke ever.

[Elven Doritos]

Or it could be the worlds most terrible, riot inducing joke ever.

As incompetent as WotC is, I doubt Hasbro would turn a blind eye to such a retarded scheme.

[Stargate525]

As incompetent as WotC is, I doubt Hasbro would turn a blind eye to such a retarded scheme.

I've seen dumber, actually.

*Imagines a small army of people, with mismatched bits of real, fake, and display medieval armor and weapons storming WOTC's corporate headquarters.*

[Elven Doritos]

I've seen dumber, actually.

WotC is already on the defensive with their fanbase after the Dragon and Dungeon axings, as well as some other recent moves that have been less than favorable. I doubt they'd risk the unmitigated hype machine by alienating the remainder of their audience with a gag regarding their next product line.

I see no motive to do so.

[Xeviat]

There's this post from Wizards of the Coast's boards:

August 16, 2007 (Renton, WA) '" Whether you storm a mad wizard's tower every week or haven't delved into a dungeon since you had a mullet and a mean pair of parachute pants, one thing is certain - millions of D&D players worldwide have anticipated the coming of 4th Edition for many years. Today, Wizards of the Coast confirms that the new edition will launch in May 2008 with the release of the D&D Player's Handbook. A pop culture icon, Dungeons & Dragons is the #1 tabletop roleplaying game in the world, and is revered by legions of gamers of all ages.

The 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons game includes elements familiar to current D&D players, including illustrated rulebooks and pre-painted plastic miniatures. Also releasing next year will be new web-based tools and online community forums through the brand-new Dungeons & Dragons Insider (D&D Insider) digital offering. D&D Insider lowers the barriers of entry for new players while simultaneously offering the depth of play that appeals to veteran players.

The 4th Edition rules emphasize faster game play, offer exciting new character options, and reduce the amount of "prep time" needed to run the game. D&D Insider includes a character creator that lets players design and equip their D&D characters, dungeon- and adventure-building tools for Dungeon Masters, online magazine content, and a digital game table that lets you play 24/7 on the internet '" the perfect option for anyone who can't find time to get together.

"We've been gathering player feedback for eight years," said Bill Slavicsek, R&D Director of Roleplaying and Miniatures Games at Wizards of the Coast. "Fourth Edition streamlines parts of the D&D game that are too complex, while enhancing the overall play experience. At its heart, it's still a tabletop game experience. However, D&D Insider makes it easier for players to create characters, run their games, and interact with the rest of the D&D community."

Wizards of the Coast will release two 4th Edition preview books in December and January '" Wizards Presents: Classes and Races and Wizards Presents: Worlds and Monsters. The first live demos of 4th Edition will happen at the D&D Experience gaming convention in Washington D.C. in February 2008. The full scope of 4th Edition books, miniatures, and adventures will be available in the spring and summer of 2008.

Since its first release in 1974, the fantasy roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons has taken millions of players on imaginary adventures of epic scale. Today, D&D is universally regarded as the original game that created the roleplaying game category, and the inspiration for generations of game designers. D&D is enjoyed by millions of players worldwide, while countless more remember it with fond nostalgia.

Not sure if this is real or fake, but ElDo's logic is sound as well.

Either way, we'll all see tomorrow.

Some people have been mentioning that things could be gleaned from the podcasts; I'll have to check them when the site is back up.

[Ra-Tiel]

[...] Fourth Edition streamlines parts of the D&D game that are too complex, while enhancing the overall play experience. At its heart, it's still a tabletop game experience. [...]

For the sweet love of gods, please no! x.

[Stargate525]

Nothing good EVER came of the word 'experience'

[Soup Nazi]

Nothing good EVER came of the word 'experience'

That's how I gain levels.  !turtle

[Stargate525]

Nothing good EVER came of the word 'experience'

That's how I gain levels.  !turtle

I should quantify. The word 'experience' when used in place of another, more traditional noun, such as 'game','meal','location', and 'sauerkraut.'