By now everyone in the D&D gaming community has heard the big news: Wizards is developing the next iteration of D&D, and is looking to the legions of D&D fans to help shape the future of the game along with them. I don’t think this really came as a surprise to anyone, especially those who follow the weekly Legends & Lore column. I think the big news was the level to which Wizards is asking for player input.
In December Wizard flew me out to Seattle to visit their head office and participate in a D&D conference. One of the things discussed was the development of this new iteration of D&D. However, I have been (and still am) bound by an NDA and sworn to secrecy. There are a few things that I can now comment on because Wizards has made some details public; however, there are a lot of other things I cannot talk about. This makes things tricky when it comes to writing about any changes that might be forthcoming, but here’s what I can say.
- Wizard wants to end edition wars and bring all people who play D&D together again. Their goal is to find a way to keep the best aspects of D&D intact and develop a base or core rule set that can then be expanded depending on which aspects of which edition you like or want to use. In order to make sure they get it right they want input and feedback from the players. So for everyone whose blasted Wizards or criticized any aspect of D&D, this is your chance to weigh in and help them get it right.
- Wizards is looking for people to play-test the new iteration of D&D as it’s being developed. Again this is a way that you can get involved and make sure that your voice is heard. If you like or dislike something about D&D this is the best way to let them know early enough in the process that they can act on that feedback and do something about it. Visit the Wizard of the Coast website today and sign up to participate in the play-testing.
- Based on my existing relationship with Wizard I was pre-selected to participate in the play-testing that begins this spring. In fact I’ve already had an opportunity to try out a very early iteration of what’s in development. I can’t say too much but I will tell you that it was everything I expected from D&D. It was fast paced, it was a lot of fun, and it felt like they were definitely on the right track.
At this point this is pretty much all I can say. I welcome your comments and speculation on what might be forthcoming but it’s unlikely I’ll be able to respond to direct questions because of the NDA.
Related reading:
- Wizards of the Coast, Legends & Lore (January 9, 2012): Charting the Course for D&D: Your Voice, Your Game
- New York Times (January 9, 2012): Players Roll the Dice for Dungeons & Dragons Remake
- Critical Hits: New Edition of “Dungeons & Dragons” Announced
- EN World: Off to see the Wizards: The day that WotC showed me D&D 5th Edition
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1 2 3 4 Next »so i guess you guys will be dumping 4th like the other blogs?
Froth, you've been making negative comments on every post about D&D vNext that I've read. Is that really necessary?
im just wondering if any blogs will stay 4e or if everything is switching to 5e. ive read this blog since it started and its a fair question to ask
A little premature to make that decision, considering there is no information about the rules available to the public, eh?
In addition, if WotC succeeds with their goal for the next iteration of D&D, it won't even matter. :)
Hmm... using massive player input to guide the development of a new and better version of D&D... sounds like a great idea!
Maybe they could save time and just buy Paizo :-)
From what I've read, Gamma World is a good point of reference for what they are achieving but I could be completely off base. The idea is that you can buy the main box, and the rules for that are simple and should work as a main point of reference but very playable. (Think, classic Red Box). Then you buy later boxes to upgrade the game to what you want. So Wizards gets up to buy multiple boxes to build the game we want. That seems... interesting but I'll wait and see.
Froth, if you're so concerned about 4th Edition content coming out, why not start your own blog? You're obviously very invested in 4th, and from what we've seen you're a rabid Edition Warrior. That best way to keep that alive when you are faced with DnDNext is to keep propagating that content yourself.
As too the new system of our favourite RPG... I'm excited. Really really excited. I signed up for the playtest as soon as the headlines about it started filling my news feed. Before I even read the announcement. 4th is the first game I've taken a campaign all the way through (1-30, twice total) but there are obvious problems in higher tiers and with certain classes. I plan to switch one of my groups over to playtest as soon as I get the rules in hand, and submit lots of feedback. This is our chance to see things that were fan made but still amazing developments (Fourthcore as an an example) become fully supported and produced by Wizards. I can't see how anyone who has ever homebrewed could be against what we've heard from people.
I already have a 4e blog, and @adam fourthcore already announced they are leaving 4e behind so it isn't all that premature
Derek, it was great to meet you in person. I think it is indicative of the good job that Wizards is doing in gathering feedback that they brought in someone like you that has so carefully analyzed Encounters and 4E. It is a really good sign for the future of the process.
Relax, Froth! You are at your best when you are constructive, not destructive. 4E is the best it has ever been right now. Those of us enjoying it will continue to enjoy it. As a 4E playtester and periodic DDI contributor I can't tell you how excited I am about things coming out for 4E soon. But, we'll also be playtesting "D&D Next". Most gamers don't play just one game. We play a variety of D&D versions, RPGs, board games, etc. Each edition of the game has added something, not just to those that love the new edition, but to the rich history of RPGs and to the collective consciousness of RPG designers.
I cannot wait for the new edition to come out. I have had way too many arguments within all editions, pros, cons, idiocies. hmmmm.
Glad you got to go out to Seattle Derek. Sounded awesome.
Keep us posted.