What is wrong with WotC

[Kenori]

So yeah, I'm a huge fan of DnD. Love the game. Have been playing it going on about 3 years now. What I dont understand is this: In the past 30 years we have had 3 different versions of this game (not counting 3.5, because its not an actual edition). Now, all of a sudden, they're planning 4th Edition, and all of the hardwork, sweat, and tears that I've put into my own campaign setting is for naught. I HAD WANTED TO MAKE A LIVING IN THIS! Now what am I supposed to do. I am extremely depressed...:disappoin

Plus the one sure-fire way to get recognized in the industry, Dungeon magazine and Dragon magazine, are both gone, being replaced with some crap online thing that does not help me in the slightest. I need some guidance here.

 

[NAND NOR]

So what exactly is going to be changed from Third to Fourth Edition?

Personally, I can't sympathize too much. Going from AD&D 2nd Edition to D&D 3rd Edition was a very drastic change. I like what I played of 3rd, don't get me wrong, but it shares very little with the rules that came before it. It's all very streamlined and in some ways over simplified. I mean, there are kids out there now that don't even know what Thac0 is. THAC0! WotC did improve the alignment descriptions in 3rd though, which was nice.

I don't really see how everything you've done for your campaign is for nothing. At the very worst all you'll need to do is convert some numbers and statistics. You still have all of the characters, creatures and adventures that you created.

 

[Kenori]

Well, that. Plus the $120+ spent on books that are now officially worthless if I actually plan to make a living at this...

 

[Seven X]

Wow that sucks, $120+ for it? I guess you should've started earlier, man. Hopefully, if you still decide to make a living playing Dungeons & Dragons, that you'll be able to adjust to the 4th edition and make a living from it. Sorry to hear about the amount you used for the 3rd edition.

I have never played Dungeons & Dragons, and I don't think I ever will, though.

 

[Judge Faiz]

How can you make a living by playing D&D??

 

[Kenori]

By writing campaign settings, books, and stuff like that. That was actually just part 1 of my master plan.

It ends with me opening up my own gaming, book, otaku, toku, and just generally awesome store.

 

[x1xBladex1x]

Wotc? Weird orange trash cans?? There's nothing wrong with those, but orange toasters are so much cooler.

 

[Skinwalker]

A lot of people are already criticising 4.0 for its 'dumbing down' of the game. There'll still be many people playing the older versions of the game. My friends are currently playing a 3.5 game and refuse to start 4.0 when it comes, because of the new system being 'dumbed down' and over-simplified (number of classes etc.)...

 

[NAND NOR]

By writing campaign settings, books, and stuff like that. That was actually just part 1 of my master plan.

It ends with me opening up my own gaming, book, otaku, toku, and just generally awesome store.

I don't see how one is needed to reach the other. But like I said, all you lost was maybe some stats that would need to be converted to 4th Edition. I mean, creating a campaign isn't just making statistics. The world hasn't really ended. I don't see how the money you spent on 3rd Edition books is completely wasted either. You got the experience and understanding of those rules, which will help you get a handle of 4th Edition even faster once it roles around. Just think of it as a temporary setback, if nothing else.

 

[OverdrivePrime]

Exactly. If you're writing up a setting, that all can be easily translated. Trust me, I've converted ridiculous amounts of setting information over from 2nd edition to 3rd and then 3.5. Spending a hundred and twenty bucks on game books is almost nothing. When I think of all the money I've dropped on roleplaying game books over the last 16 years, I could probably buy a new Mac Quad tower with that money. Gaming is a pretty inexpensive hobby to get into, and unfortunately, the market is positively flooded with people trying to put forth different settings and rule books.

If you want to somehow make a living on roleplaying games, you've got to make sure that your setting and story are incredibly compelling. If not, then you'll be passed over like most other third party resources.

Also, the magazines are gone, but Paizo has risen in their place. Check them out. I hear very good things.