As a some of you might be aware, I have been involved in the testing of the forthcoming Dungeons & Dragons rule system for the last two years. It was an honor to get in on the ground floor and to get to influence it from the beginning. Along with myself, there were more than 175,000 playtest participants.
Earlier this month, Wizards Of The Coast announced that this newest game system will be available this coming summer and that the rules for the new system are now complete. At this point, some details are sketchy, like the final name and what made it and what didn’t (personally I like the codename they gave it, D&D Next).
According to Wizards, “Players will be immersed in rich storytelling experiences across multiple gaming platforms as they face off against the most fearsome monster of all time.”
“Just like a perfectly balanced party, Wizards has worked cohesively with fans, designers and partners to create the next generation of D&D,” said Nathan Stewart, Brand Director for Dungeons & Dragons. “We whole-heartedly thank all of the play test participants, whose feedback has proven instrumental in shaping the future of Dungeons & Dragons.”
I’ll be giving you folks updates as they are released. I admit, I’m a few days late on this press release, but the holidays have kept me from my desk and I apologize for this not being as timely as it could have been. But nonetheless, there you have it, Doomers, there’s a new Dungeons & Dragons system coming. And I must admit that I am just as excited today as I was when I first started playing thirty years ago. How about you folks? Anyone out there anxious to see this? Let me know what you think about it in the comments below.
Sorry, not going to buy into the hype once again. From the 5E playtesters with whom I’ve spoken and also from reviews I’ve read online, WoTC (i.e. Hasbro) is still focused on marketing the game to the MMO and videogame crowd by ‘simplifying’ the system and making it more ‘accessible’. Aces. Anyway, during the 4E debacle, I switched to Pathfinder and haven’t looked back. I like and respect Paizo’s business philosophy and connection with the players who support their company, and the game itself is excellent.
Comment by BrashHulk — January 1, 2014 @ 11:12 pm
Then I wish you the best. However, not everyone feels the same way. I see this as a throwback to how the game was during the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons years, long before WotC. Streamlining and simplifying are two totally different concepts. Keep in mind that much of the new edition is based around what we, as players, gave as feedback for the last two years. And I’m curious about your choice of the word “accessible.” Isn’t the idea for more people to play and have fun? This was never an elitist game. When I was growing up, we were always happy to have new players.
Comment by Waerloga69 — January 2, 2014 @ 1:28 pm
D&D an elitist game? Not at all…BUT, you have to possess a decent measure of intelligence and depth to play the game as it was designed and intended.
The only thing that 4E proved was that bringing in players from videogames, MMOs, etc. is that 99% of them don’t have the ability to grasp anything more complicated than “up, down, down, left, up, down” and that too many of them have ADD. Trying to play in and run D&D games with players reared on GTA and Halo over the past 5 years has been a fiasco, and trying to get ‘fast-twitch’ people to adapt to a ‘slow-twitch’ game has been frustrating, to say the least. The mindset is all about leveling quickly and getting good gear, with not one iota of thought towards characterization. Most of them don’t even make names for their characters.
Of course, I haven’t played 5E yet, so who knows how it’s going to turn out in the end – but again, from what I’ve been reading and hearing, it’s not too far from the same 4E philosophy of ‘Everyone can play D&D, it’s easy!’ I believe that’s the wrong way to go with the game. I prefer D&D to to be Risk, Chess, and Othello…not Candyland, Checkers, and Life. And well, if that’s being a snobby elitist, then so be it.
Comment by BrashHulk — January 2, 2014 @ 8:24 pm
I’ll grant you that 4th Edition was utterly lackluster. However, you’re judging something without any first hand knowledge. After reading your reply I realize that you’ve already made your mind up regarding this and no one will be changing it, regardless of the discussion points. Therefore, I’m bowing out. Thanks for reading the article.
Comment by Waerloga69 — January 2, 2014 @ 8:40 pm