Opinion: The Next Edition of D&D – Will It Matter?
My Facebook feed is overwhelmed with links to a NY Times article talking about the development of the next edition of D&D (That is 5th ED for those of you who have lost count). The article gives a history of D&D and speculates on some of the reasons for its successes and failures throughout the years. I have followed D&D most of my life and I actually agree with many of the points that the article makes. Developers form WoTC claim that they want to develop the newest incarnation of D&D with extensive player input. Hearing about extensive player input at first sounds great to me; I love table top RPGs and I love the thought of being able to contribute something to a beloved franchise, however…
If not done carefully and well, this idea of extensive player input could rapidly deteriorate into the same situation that our current president faces. By looking at President Obama’s last Presidential campaign, we can see the possible ramifications that extensive player input might have on the overall player base that is the life-blood of D&D. If we rewind the clock back to the last presidential election, we remember how we were bombarded with words like “hope” and “change.” During this time as a public we were mobilized by these words and led to believe that “We the People” could make a difference. A majority of our country stood up and energized with new feelings of empowerment went out and rallied behind Mr. Obama. Here we are years later, and many of the people who led that charge for change don’t feel like they have gotten their money’s worth. Many of those fervent supporters might still vote the same way, but will they still be willing to knock on doors and make phone calls this time around? Many of those voters feel betrayed and disenfranchised many years later. Now you have got to be saying, how does all of this political talkrelate to the next edition of D&D?
First, we must change the voters to players. Like voters, players want to be part of the process and they want to share their gaming passions with other gamers and if they can bring new players into the hobby all the better. Will we as players feel let down if 5th Ed. D&D asks for our input but can’t or won’t act on it? Can WoTC be everything to everyone? If WoTC is touting extensive player input, exactly who are these players going to be? Are they going to end up being people who are selected by proximity? Will your input only be heard if you live near Seattle? Will WoTC reach beyond major conventions to get input from the rest of us or will my opinion be dictated by people who live near the emerald city and some sweaty, stinky, stereotypical gamers who only emerge at Gen Con? How will WoTC hear my voice and if they hear it, will they listen? What happens if you love minis and I hate them? Who should WoTC listen to? What happens if I love to role play and you are a roll player? Who is right?
It is no secret that I felt betrayed by the release of 4th Ed. I am of the crowd that feels it is a dummied down table top MMORPG version of a game I grew up on. The pathfinder RPG system has been touted at the 3.75 Ed. and to some players is what D&D 4th Ed. should have been. Will WoTC be willing to look to an existing system that they don’t own to appease players, I doubt it! So who is right? I don’t know.
One of the issues that players understand but fail to factor in is WoTC and owner Hasbro’s need to make money. There is absolutely not point for WoTC to design a game that people love that doesn’t make them or Hasbro money. I hate that this is the case, but neither company does what it does just out of love. Employees need to eat and shareholders need to make money. I don’t have all of the answers but I am willing to ask plenty of questions. I have the three core rulebooks from D&D 4th Ed. sitting on a shelf gathering dust, that was money not well spent. Sadly when D&D 5th Ed. come out I will most likely buy the books the day they are released, even if WoTC doesn’t ask me what I want.
You might ask why I am willing to re-subject myself to the possible epic disappointment that might follow the 5th Ed. release, because I’m a gamer and those are the risks I’m willing to take! I’ve killed scores of Dragons, Giants and Beholders and it is my sincere hope that I will be able to continue doing just that, with a well designed and thought provoking 5th Ed. of D&D.
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Jim
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