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Orcus wrote:

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Here is what I would do if I owned D&D:

I would do core books: PHB, MM DMG. They would contain all core info needed to play the traditional game.

I would then support the game with periodic support materials, but few core rules changes or updates.

Then open source the game and let people support it. But keep the official content core. I wouldnt make a new monster book just to have a new hardcover to sell people every 6 months.

Then I'd support it with a organized play group. I'd create adventures for it. I'd create settings for it, bit by bit. Then I can support the settings with setting specific products. Because its the settings that help advance and continue play. Not rules. I think Wizards actually has the ability to do this. TSR created the key settings--gritty old school with GH, newer high fantasy with FR, real new school with Eberron, gothic with Ravenloft, crazy with Dark Sun, etc.

That keeps entry into the game easy. All you need are the three core books.

One of the problems with the "rules book arms race" is it makes the game unapproachable and hard to get into for the new player. You need to minimize that. Your entryway is PHB, MM, DMG. Thats it. Now go play. No, you dont need minis. No you dont need tiles. Sure. they are a benefit, but you dont need them.

At some point, sanity needs to set in and content creators need to ask: am I making this just to have something else to sell to people or is this really a vital new addition to what is needed for the game? Because once the flood gets too much, then people cant get into the game.

And then I would create a true and valid Basic Game, for levels 1-10 for instance. Streamlined rules. Streamlined classes and options. And a few key adventures. 1 book. Its like Pokemon or MTG. You need a way to get in that is easy and that makes you want to move to the next level.

Then ask yourself--what works to keep a game alive. Well, look around. MMOs survive with a persistent world and evolving content. The rules changes are done under the hood. CCGs like Pokemon and MTG survive with new sets that are tied to a new story or setting or some new mechanics. Some also survive due to collectibility. Console game systems survive by continuing to provide new and varied game play to meet different tastes, while always returning to a few tried and true titles for continuity. But even a console system comes with a system and a game. It has an entry set. Everything else is an optional add on. D&D has forgotten that model. The core book set is expanding so fast its hard to enter into the hobby. That has to stop.

Clark