[Industry] Escapist: State of D&D Present

[finarvyn]

I could see myself buying into the Essentials line based off what I have seen from it

I have the Essentials line and I don't see that much difference between it and 4E. Or, to be more specific, I don't think that Essentials brought 4E close enough to the old school feel I was hoping to find.

Consider this:
Rules Compendium (page count = 320)
Heroes of the Fallen Lands* (page count = 365)
Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms** (page count = 365)
Dungeon Master's Book (page count = 270)
Monster Vault (page count = 320)

That's over 1600 pages of Essentials rules. hock:

* Clerics, Fighters, Rogues, Wizards
** Druids, Paladins, Rangers, Warlocks

Consider OD&D:
Men & Magic (page count = 34)
Monsters & Treasure (page count = 40)
Underworld & Wilderness Adventures (page count = 36)
Greyhawk (page count = 68)
Blackmoor (page count = 60)
Eldritch Wizardry (page count = 58)
Gods, Demigods & Heroes (page count = 68)

That's about 360 pages for OD&D. Half of Blackmoor is a module, half of Eldritch Wizardry is psionics artifacts. I don't use those. And I probably shouldn't even count GDH since there isn't an equivalent book in the Essentials line.

What I would have liked to see is an Essentials player book, a GM book, and a Monster book each at aound 100-120 pages. Even something more like AD&D in size. That would have been awesome!