DnDNext Update

The first set of official public playtest rules for DnDNext (or DnD 5E) are scheduled to be released on May 24, 2012 (sign up is here). There has certainly been a lot of nonspecific talk about what is in the works and I am certainly curious after all of this non-detailed discussion as to what the details really are. In that regard I am definitely looking forward to it. I expect to see a lot of on-line conversation as those who were seeing this for the first time finally get to catch up with those who were previously NDA'd from talking about it. This should be a very interesting summer in the DnD world.

The Wizards designers have been doing their best to be open and forthcoming without actually saying anything substantial while the design was in flux. Wizards has been burned many times in the past for making statements that didn't eventually come to fruition so their caution is understandable, but as the date draws near the tongues can loosen up a little. Mike Mearls and Jeremy Crawford participated in an on-line moderated discussion today where they provided more detail about what exactly will be in the playtest package and answered other DnDNext related questions. I am sure Wizards will post a video and a transcript eventually, but as of now the only on-line transcript I have found was located at enworld.org (transcript is here).

I am withholding judgment for now especially as I haven't seen the playtest material yet, but as I said above I am definitely curious. I think their heart is in the right place, but I am worried that any attempt whose goal is to try and make everybody happy is just doomed from the start. I hope the playtest results and feedback system will help alleviate some of that new edition angst, but I fear the negative nabobs will drown out legitimate criticism and feedback.