Maybe I am worrying too much over the current state, but some answers or a little hope would sure be nice....
Plus, I think the overall design for D&D is going too fast. They're depth in each setting is lite and minimal thus allowing for faster expansion while a fan of that particular setting only wants info on that setting, not Eberron or Darksun, or whatever. I'd love to see more Realms articles in DDI and possibly a new book or 3, I just don't think we're going to get it.
This, however, doesn't mean the Realms are going to fall away or no longer be published. I just think they're not getting the time in the spot light other than the LFR stuff, which is a shame cuz the Realms (pre- and post-spellplague) are still the best setting so far IMO.
I do find the lay off of Phil and Erin disconcerting...
I dunno... WotC is famous for laying people off all the time.
So regardles, I think the Realms still has a bright future either way.
And I was a little dissappointed in this thread, I was thinking it would be like spaceships and rayguns in the Realms.
But we also must remember that it is possible that fans, especially in this economy, don't have the resources to keep up with everything. I think the possibility of WotC eliminating a brand from active rotation is a distinct possibility. I would have to believe that Eberron would be on the chopping block....
I wouldn't blame it fully on the economy I'm afraid. Look at how many people line up to purchase their new iPhone 4.
I think the new Realms has driven a lot of people away.
I wouldn't blame it fully on the economy I'm afraid. Look at how many people line up to purchase their new iPhone 4.
And I love my new iPhone. Even if it drops calls like a mo-fo. It's the shiniest of shinies.
But we also must remember that it is possible that fans, especially in this economy, don't have the resources to keep up with everything. I think the possibility of WotC eliminating a brand from active rotation is a distinct possibility. I would have to believe that Eberron would be on the chopping block....
I wonder if the rights would revert to Ketih Baker if they don't publish any Eberron novels or DDI articles after a while.
I would bet that Paizo would lease the publishing right to the FR and Eberron, in a heart beat.
Yeah WotC has been doing alot of lay offs and that is never a good sign. If they fire people at the end of a trimester, that is probably to artificially boost profits for that trimester. Compagnies to tha when sales aren't high. Or they publish a bunch of books in a short time. Like the up coming essentials.
I'm not starting a 4E flame war but I don't think Wizards is doing as hot as most people around here think and claim. You don't lay off people when you are doing great.
I'm not starting a 4E flame war but I don't think Wizards is doing as hot as most people around here think and claim. You don't lay off people when you are doing great.
You do, sadly. No matter how great you are doing, there is always a ceryain degree of hiring and firing that goes on. Especially after projects, at the end of the financial year, and after a change in production direction.
And that is the kind of comment that may start a flame war, because there is no real point of discussion there.
Seriously though, I do think WotC probably has had a few problems, just like everyone else has. If one thing is true about 4e, its that it definitely could have been released at a more favorable moment given the economic tailspin that came close on the heels of its release. Bad luck there for WotC, kinda feel bad for them on that one. Not really though, since the bastards still haven't given us the SW Saga errata... after they release it, I might feel a bit more sympathy.
I'm not starting a 4E flame war but I don't think Wizards is doing as hot as most people around here think and claim. You don't lay off people when you are doing great.
You do, sadly. No matter how great you are doing, there is always a ceryain degree of hiring and firing that goes on. Especially after projects, at the end of the financial year, and after a change in production direction.
And that is the kind of comment that may start a flame war, because there is no real point of discussion there.
Mmmmmm I'm afraid I still don't buy that. Thats just my opinion.
Mmmmmm I'm afraid I still don't buy that. Thats just my opinion.
Emphasis mine.
And that is why there is no discussion possible on the point.
You state your opinion, someone else states theirs. What else is there to say? Since both are primarily subjective opinions there is no real framework that allows logical disection, discussion and resolution. Hence why I said it was likely to go flame war. Opinion vs. opinion ones usually do... in my opinion ;).
I'm not starting a 4E flame war but I don't think Wizards is doing as hot as most people around here think and claim. You don't lay off people when you are doing great.
Strictly talking WotC: they have not once, but twice laid off experienced game designers while doing well as a company.
The most significant example I can think of were the layoffs right after 3E really took off and just before the contest to create a new setting (that gave us Eberron) was announced.
WotC had just reaped a windfall through Pokemon, handed out huge bonuses, then soon after the pink slips came.
Some designers were smart enough to see the writing on the wall and so left of their own accord, but the damage (see the more wacky changes in 3.5E) was done.
I never understood WotC's motivation to do this (twice).
It just left me thinking that when it comes to the Bean Counters at WotC, they are nothing if not King.
I'm not starting a 4E flame war but I don't think Wizards is doing as hot as most people around here think and claim. You don't lay off people when you are doing great.
Strictly talking WotC: they have not once, but twice laid off experienced game designers while doing well as a company.
The most significant example I can think of were the layoffs right after 3E really took off and just before the contest to create a new setting (that gave us Eberron) was announced.
WotC had just reaped a windfall through Pokemon, handed out huge bonuses, then soon after the pink slips came.
Some designers were smart enough to see the writing on the wall and so left of their own accord, but the damage (see the more wacky changes in 3.5E) was done.
I never understood WotC's motivation to do this (twice).
It just left me thinking that when it comes to the Bean Counters at WotC, they are nothing if not King.
I was talking more about 4th edition. I know Pokemon and Magic are doing really well. If Wizards was depending on D&D then they probably wouldn't be here.
I was talking more about 4th edition. I know Pokemon and Magic are doing really well. If Wizards was depending on D&D then they probably wouldn't be here.
I believe you've mistaken my supporting comments about Magic and Pokemon.
The key point in my earlier post was that Third Edition Dungeons & Dragons was doing extremely well on its own—to the point that it was paying for itself.
Yet WotC still laid off or otherwise lost about half the experienced D&D staff that created the successful product that was 3E.
I agree with you that it's not smart to drop people when you're doing well. It's just that in the past WotC has shown a seeming willingness to not follow this philosophy.
Of course I'm armchairing this bigtime, but I feel confident in my statements.