- It's Madonna's birthday. Wonder how she'll reinvent herself THIS time?
- Apparently, today will mark the Official Announcement of Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition. *twitch* Found elsewhere:
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.So, let's see, how much further can we dumb it down? We give them the miniatures to start with, so they HAVE to buy more (good marketing), but that's not enough...I know! We'll put it online, it'll be a hit with the kids! Sure, don't make ANYONE think...I mean, this is a role-playing game, why should you have to use your brain? Just make it so a click of the button will generate the characters, build everything, and then play online. Might as well just have a D&D Online...which there is, of course. Hmmm....
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 appeal 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 full scope of 4th Edition books, miniatures, and adventures will be available in the spring and summer of 2008.
The most telling part of this, for me, was the mention that it's the "veteran players" who actually want any "depth of play." Nice to see that even they know that they've quashed any real creativity in new players, and made sure that the video-game generation won't be turned off by having to *gasp* create something themselves.
Thanks, but this old man will stick to a D&D game system that worked well for they way he likes to play. 2nd Edition, baby, 2-4-LIFE.
