Looks like a certain online seller shipped out at least some of its copies of the 4th edition D&D core books almost two weeks before the street date when they were supposed to start selling it. Of course, several threads have popped up to start tossing out scoops left and right.
While there is a certain amount of jealousy that has kicked in (both for wanting the exclusive for journalistic reasons, and just plain wanting the darn things), it’s a bit sad to see. Not only is it a complicated issue in the distribution chain process for Wizards employees to have to deal with (at least it wasn’t Wal-Mart… they break street dates all the time because there’s nothing you can do to them), but it’s really bad for your Friendly Local Game Store. The distribution chain from Wizards to Alliance to the local stores takes a while, and the earlier online retailers release the books, the less likely it is that game stores will be able to capitalize on the feeling that “I must have it now!”
One interesting non-rules fact released so far is that the books were printed in the USA. Printing is usually cheaper overseas, but it’s harder to keep control over quality. I wonder if Keep on the Shadowfell was done at the same place. If so, it would mean that WotC’s attempt to keep work here in the states resulting both in a more expensive product and a low quality print job. (Usually, you deal with one or the other.)
Another point that occurred to me afterwards: playtesters, professionals, and anyone else under an NDA can’t talk about the game until the official release date, but anyone who got the books accidentally can.
Yea that’s a huge pain in the ass, for all of the reasons you mention. Even worse is that a lot of stuff has become an information dump – then bitch session. There is definitely a risk of this hurting the hype, and I’m curious what will happen / what Wizards will say (if anything).
I doubt they’ll say anything specifically about it. If I recall correctly, it happened to them when the 3.5 books came out as well. From what I understand, a lot of supply chain issues get handled behind the scenes.
Not too surprised by that.
A lot of speculation now about stuff for the PHB2, which I think is funny. Pretty good consensus is that the Bard will be an Arcane Leader, but I am very surprised that everyone is pegging the Barbarian to be another defender, not much about playing a Barbarian in 3.x made me think he was about defending. Personally I see the Barbarian being really cool as a Martial Controller!
And Sorcerer as having the Elemental Power source, definitely cool.