:eek:

An interesting thing to me that hasn't gotten a lot of attention was that Dragon and Dungeon, in their new electronic incarnations, will begin in October right where they left off, numbering-wise. That is, the first electronic issues of Dragon and Dungeon will be 360 and 151, respectively. For some reason that makes me feel optimistic. However, the main thing I'm waiting to see is how much the subscriptions will be. The way WotC sells pdfs of books at the same price as the print versions doesn't bode well. I can't imagine them charging what the print mags went for, but I've been thinking about what my limit will be. I might pay what one of the mags charged for a subscription for both electronic mags, but even then, I really need to see more about what the mags will be comprised of, and who will be working on them.

Quote from: ColonelHardissonHowever, the main thing I'm waiting to see is how much the subscriptions will be. The way WotC sells pdfs of books at the same price as the print versions doesn't bode well. I can't imagine them charging what the print mags went for, but I've been thinking about what my limit will be.

They will cost more as part of the overall monthly subscription fee to DNDInsider .  I think $10/month was suggested.  That'll give you access to all the web tools as well...

Quote from: Pierce InverarityAll good and well. But what I can't see is how this helps to "simplify prep time" (one stated 4E goal) as opposed to extending it even further? More customization = more prep for the GM, no?

Well, I for one am hoping for mook rules, like in SW: Saga.  Seriously, prep time in Saga is way, way less than 3.5.

-O

What was wrong with 3.5 that they need a 4th?

Or rather, what do they think was wrong with it that a new edition will fix?

I mean, I wouldn't know, I've not once played 3.5. I've still got AD&D1e on my shelves

Presentations:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=welcome/conventions/gencon07

In case Wizards goes down again:

Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ3J8t2-RVs

Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWZ2WdeTo1M

Gleemax: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5CvxV4lhNY

Virtual Table: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m20AJvdzAdo

Sizzle Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbbqMoEwDqc

Quote from: StuartThey will cost more as part of the overall monthly subscription fee to DNDInsider .  I think $10/month was suggested.  That'll give you access to all the web tools as well...

Yeah, I just slogged back through this thread and found yours and mhensley's posts about possible prices. Damn, I dunno. That's way more than I was hoping for. I guess if they offer month-to-month subscriptions I'll at least give it a go for a while to start.

Thanks Stuart!

I'd like the generic human NPCs put back into the MM. They stripped them out of the 3.5 MM (they were in the 3.0) and put adventurer generation tables in the DMG instead that took much longer to get through. That would speed up prep.

I'm also hoping that fighters don't suck in 4e.

Quote from: PseudoephedrineI'm also hoping that fighters don't suck in 4e.

If the fighter "powers" mentioned earlier are similar to the maneuvers and stances in The Book of Nine Swords then they won't.

Fighter maneuvers "like in the book of nine swords" was specifically mentioned in the presentation by Bill Slaviscek as being a feature of the new D&D. Nearly everything in the early part of the presentation was about making it "easier" and "less referenced". I have no idea how theyre going to do that, but I'm signed up as a playtester. So I guess we'll see!

We just got in. Zach is staying with other friends. (Sorry Zach!) We had some missed calls and stuff, but it was nice to meet.

I have a couple of other observations and experiences to talk about  but probably after I get back. This was a great first day at the con! I got some sweet dice, picked up some Mutants and Masterminds books, completely got hammered in the D&D Open (I think I was knocked down to something like -30- I was the first to die!), then we saw this crazy D&D thing, and I ran a kick-ass Expedition Adventure.

I saw Koltar, but I was in a hurry and couldn't stop. he looks like his user picture but more knobbly and klingonish..

Speaking of Koltar... I think he's on TV.

Check this out--Klingon alert halfway through.

http://www.gencon.com/2007/indy/events/Thursday.aspx

Is that him?

Quote from: Kyle AaronWhat was wrong with 3.5 that they need a 4th?
 
Or rather, what do they think was wrong with it that a new edition will fix?
 
I mean, I wouldn't know, I've not once played 3.5. I've still got AD&D1e on my shelves

That's an interesting question.  I don't like 3.5, but I don't think there is anything specifically wrong with it.  As has been mentioned, prep time is a bitch and combat is way too slow... but again, these are more my personal views.  Judging by the vast number of D&D fanbois and the (supposedly) healthy level of sales, there can't be anything specifically broken in the game.
 
A cynical grab for cash?
 
Probably.  But I can't be too critical because I'll buy it.  Sometimes it's fun to be part of the crowd, even if it is only temporary.  

Quote from: StuartThey will cost more as part of the overall monthly subscription fee to DNDInsider .  I think $10/month was suggested.  That'll give you access to all the web tools as well...

You know, I'm wondering if they're not half-expecting a lot of groups to pool their money to pay for DNDInsider subscriptions. With the sort of web tools they have, it'd make a lot of sense for a group to buy the GM a DNDInsider subscription which he/she can share with the others as needed.

Quote from: Tyberious FunkThat's an interesting question.  I don't like 3.5, but I don't think there is anything specifically wrong with it.  As has been mentioned, prep time is a bitch and combat is way too slow... but again, these are more my personal views.  Judging by the vast number of D&D fanbois and the (supposedly) healthy level of sales, there can't be anything specifically broken in the game.
 
A cynical grab for cash?
 
Probably.  But I can't be too critical because I'll buy it.  Sometimes it's fun to be part of the crowd, even if it is only temporary.  

You da man!  I'm in the same boat. The basics of d20 are cool, but 3e and 3.5 are too slow and cumbersome for my tastes. However, the game has obvious strengths, people are diggin' it, and the rules work. My curiousity is piqued, so I'll buy it too.

P.S. I'll buy the Core Rules, at least. After that, I make no promises...