"New Edition" gaming culture, what do you think of it? Options Track this topic Email this topic Print this topic Download this topic Subscribe to this forum Display Modes Outline Switch to: Standard Switch to: Linear+

[sunnyside]

When I first got into RPGs the general feeling (and that espoused by some of the game store people selling them) was that here was a thing where you could buy it and you'd be using it indefinitly. Unlike, say, a video game where you play it and then it's time to buy the next in the series.

D&D had a second edition out and maybe some others. But usually that was viewed as upgrading from the neonatal garage production quality of the origional rules (i.e. stuff that looked like the white box).

However now in everything from RPGs to Wargames new editions is just part of the business model. While you could of course play old rules indefinitly in maybe an average between the various systems of five years there will be a new edition and your pile of books is going to need replacing.

I'm not sure what to think of that. On one hand in theory the new editions should be "better". And also new editions coming out seems to charge the game community. I believe there was a role playing surge that came along with D&D 3rd edition at least and their promotion blitz. But on the other it kinda sucks having a pile of books nearly invalidated.

I know it's made me rather more finiky since I look at books as temporary investments. I've also found myself evaluating things based on how old the current edition is. Especially crunch type books. I'll almost always get a crunch book released in the first year or two of a new edition, but I become more reluctant as it gets closer to when I now expect a new edition to drop and invalidate them.

[deek]

Hehe...for some people, they need to roll 30 times and 6 different skills to feel "social" encounters are worth it/accurate...

Honestly, I am good either way. 4th edition allows quite an elaborate web of skills to be used for non-combat encounters, if the DM wants to take the time to build it out. Multiple skills, DCs and other factors combine to quite a elaborate way of getting what you want.

Or, you could simply roll a single die, succeed or fail.

Or, you could just roleplay with your DM.

Or, you could wait for a 200 page book WotC published that gives you a system to use for all the "non-adventuring" tasks your character wants to take.

Or, you could create your own.

...

This list could go on and on:)