"Retro versions" of 4e rulebooks - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

"Retro versions" of 4e rulebooks

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
traversetravis
Dec 08, 2008 12:10:28 One way of reaching 4e holdouts would be publish "retro versions" of the 4E rulebooks.

They would have the same text as the standard 4E books, but the fonts, logos, and illustrations would be done entirely in an older style. The illustrations might have the same subject, but re-done by an all-star line-up of old-school artists, such as Otus and Elmore.

The first two I'd like to see:

"Basic version" of the 4E PHB1, in the style of the Red Box, and with an Elmore cover.
"AD&D version" of the 4E PHB1. in the style of the 9th printing, with an Easley cover.

If these were successful, then DMG and MM could be done, and other versions as well, such as Original D&D pamphlet style and AD&D 1st printing style.

If WotC doesn't have the manpower, they might license an outside company to do the retro books.

Travis
#2
doctorhook
Dec 08, 2008 13:07:48
One way of reaching 4e holdouts would be publish "retro versions" of the 4E rulebooks.

They would have the same text as the standard 4E books, but the fonts, logos, and illustrations would be done entirely in an older style. The illustrations might have the same subject, but re-done by an all-star line-up of old-school artists, such as Otus and Elmore.

The first two I'd like to see:

"Basic version" of the 4E PHB1, in the style of the Red Box, and with an Elmore cover.
"AD&D version" of the 4E PHB1. in the style of the 9th printing, with an Easley cover.

If these were successful, then DMG and MM could be done, and other versions as well, such as Original D&D pamphlet style and AD&D 1st printing style.

If WotC doesn't have the manpower, they might license an outside company to do the retro books.

Travis

Cool idea! But you'd have to be prepared to face all the complaints, starting with, "What's a 'dragonborn' and why is it in my PH?" After all, if you're going to present in retro style, those who are perhaps most interested in it for the nostalgia-factor might also be those most averse to the innovations of 4E.

Removing or replacing "newfangled" rules elements such as Dragonborn, Tieflings, Eladrin, Warlocks, and Warlords would be relatively simple. OTOH, removing or replacing "newfangled" rules subsystems such as healing surges/second wind or the powers system would be a nightmarish task, and would change the game completely.

If you were the one producing this, you'd have to ask yourself: "This is a retro-style version of a contemporary product. Am I willing to alter the content of this product in order to appeal to more 'retro' gamers, and if so, to what degree?" No matter what you do, you'll face nerdrage.

Still, if a 3PP got the rights to do this, it would definitely be an awesome collector's item.
#3
archangel_james
Dec 08, 2008 21:30:01 Cool idea, and I'd buy a copy.

Unfortunately, the plan suffers a number of problems. Besides the obvious "will it make more money than it costs to produce?" there's also considerations behind splitting product identity and adding SKUs.

Right now I'd be satisfied if someone made a downloadable bookcover that featured the old cover art and style, updated with the correct edition, author, copyright info, etc.
#4
mkill
Dec 09, 2008 7:11:16 It doesn't really make much sense right now. But if the Wizards run out of ideas after PHB4 or 5 they should start something like that. It could be a kind of "wrap up" product between 4th and 5th edition.

- Include only races, classes and monsters from the editions up to AD&D 1st.
- Convert some iconics that didn't make their way to a newer edition yet
- Recreate artwork in the old style, or use stuff that wizards has the rights to
- black and white printing, with full-page color images
- Change the fluff to the old edition. Include cheesy game play examples, traps that are meant to kill the party, useless but fun tables...

- Keep it 4th edition compatible

And yeah, I'd totally buy that book.
#5
doctorhook
Dec 10, 2008 1:03:48
It doesn't really make much sense right now. But if the Wizards run out of ideas after PHB4 or 5 they should start something like that. It could be a kind of "wrap up" product between 4th and 5th edition.

...

And yeah, I'd totally buy that book.

WotC should never publish this book. The very last thing that they need is to seem uncommitted to the future of their product, which they very well might if they started using nostalgia-based marketing tactics.

OTOH, this product practically screams "third party publisher"! I'm no legal expert, but I imagine WotC would have to issue a special license for such a product, though.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 traversetravis Dec 08, 2008 12:10:28	One way of reaching 4e holdouts would be publish "retro versions" of the 4E rulebooks. They would have the same text as the standard 4E books, but the fonts, logos, and illustrations would be done entirely in an older style. The illustrations might have the same subject, but re-done by an all-star line-up of old-school artists, such as Otus and Elmore. The first two I'd like to see: "Basic version" of the 4E PHB1, in the style of the Red Box, and with an Elmore cover. "AD&D version" of the 4E PHB1. in the style of the 9th printing, with an Easley cover. If these were successful, then DMG and MM could be done, and other versions as well, such as Original D&D pamphlet style and AD&D 1st printing style. If WotC doesn't have the manpower, they might license an outside company to do the retro books. Travis
#2 doctorhook Dec 08, 2008 13:07:48	One way of reaching 4e holdouts would be publish "retro versions" of the 4E rulebooks. They would have the same text as the standard 4E books, but the fonts, logos, and illustrations would be done entirely in an older style. The illustrations might have the same subject, but re-done by an all-star line-up of old-school artists, such as Otus and Elmore. The first two I'd like to see: "Basic version" of the 4E PHB1, in the style of the Red Box, and with an Elmore cover. "AD&D version" of the 4E PHB1. in the style of the 9th printing, with an Easley cover. If these were successful, then DMG and MM could be done, and other versions as well, such as Original D&D pamphlet style and AD&D 1st printing style. If WotC doesn't have the manpower, they might license an outside company to do the retro books. Travis Cool idea! But you'd have to be prepared to face all the complaints, starting with, "What's a 'dragonborn' and why is it in my PH?" After all, if you're going to present in retro style, those who are perhaps most interested in it for the nostalgia-factor might also be those most averse to the innovations of 4E. Removing or replacing "newfangled" rules elements such as Dragonborn, Tieflings, Eladrin, Warlocks, and Warlords would be relatively simple. OTOH, removing or replacing "newfangled" rules subsystems such as healing surges/second wind or the powers system would be a nightmarish task, and would change the game completely. If you were the one producing this, you'd have to ask yourself: "This is a retro-style version of a contemporary product. Am I willing to alter the content of this product in order to appeal to more 'retro' gamers, and if so, to what degree?" No matter what you do, you'll face nerdrage. Still, if a 3PP got the rights to do this, it would definitely be an awesome collector's item.
#3 archangel_james Dec 08, 2008 21:30:01	Cool idea, and I'd buy a copy. Unfortunately, the plan suffers a number of problems. Besides the obvious "will it make more money than it costs to produce?" there's also considerations behind splitting product identity and adding SKUs. Right now I'd be satisfied if someone made a downloadable bookcover that featured the old cover art and style, updated with the correct edition, author, copyright info, etc.
#4 mkill Dec 09, 2008 7:11:16	It doesn't really make much sense right now. But if the Wizards run out of ideas after PHB4 or 5 they should start something like that. It could be a kind of "wrap up" product between 4th and 5th edition. - Include only races, classes and monsters from the editions up to AD&D 1st. - Convert some iconics that didn't make their way to a newer edition yet - Recreate artwork in the old style, or use stuff that wizards has the rights to - black and white printing, with full-page color images - Change the fluff to the old edition. Include cheesy game play examples, traps that are meant to kill the party, useless but fun tables... - Keep it 4th edition compatible And yeah, I'd totally buy that book.
#5 doctorhook Dec 10, 2008 1:03:48	It doesn't really make much sense right now. But if the Wizards run out of ideas after PHB4 or 5 they should start something like that. It could be a kind of "wrap up" product between 4th and 5th edition. ... And yeah, I'd totally buy that book. WotC should never publish this book. The very last thing that they need is to seem uncommitted to the future of their product, which they very well might if they started using nostalgia-based marketing tactics. OTOH, this product practically screams "third party publisher"! I'm no legal expert, but I imagine WotC would have to issue a special license for such a product, though.