1. License D&D out to Paizo. Pathfinder changes name to D&D. Pathfinder novels become D&D novels. Pathfinder MMO becomes the D&D MMO, etc.

2. Make the whole back catalog available. Everything from OD&D to 4e.

3.

4. Profit? (hopefully)

Quote from: Rincewind1;500866Why? I'd love nothing more then rules how to convert creatures from MtG cards, and guidelines how to use random set of cards to set up a whole scenario.

Maybe I am the only guy who thinks MtG and DnD can go hand in hand .

There was a lot (a lot) of crowing about this when WotC bought TSR, but it turns out that they prefer not to confuse the brands.

Quote from: Halloween Jack;501531There was a lot (a lot) of crowing about this when WotC bought TSR, but it turns out that they prefer not to confuse the brands.

I'm surprised that "synergistic backwards overflow" doesn't appeal to them.

I just don't think the two games are compatible in any way beyond both being high fantasy--Magic revolves around dimension-hopping godlike wizards trying to destroy each other, with even the greatest adventurers and heroes as pawns you can buy with a few points of magic tree-juice or hill-juice. This doesn't mesh with any of the D&D campaign settings except Forgotten Realms, I don't think.

Although seeing the Forgotten Realms blended with Dominaria and effectively destroyed would really amuse me.

Quote from: The Butcher;5011791. License D&D out to Paizo. Pathfinder changes name to D&D. Pathfinder novels become D&D novels. Pathfinder MMO becomes the D&D MMO, etc.

2. Make the whole back catalog available. Everything from OD&D to 4e.

3.

4. Profit? (hopefully)

#3 is "Wizards retains the right to spin-offs, including video games, board games, card games, etc. based on the IP, and lets Paizo deal with RPGs and novels (the two least lucrative ends of the business).

Quote from: Halloween Jack;501535I just don't think the two games are compatible in any way beyond both being high fantasy--Magic revolves around dimension-hopping godlike wizards trying to destroy each other, with even the greatest adventurers and heroes as pawns you can buy with a few points of magic tree-juice or hill-juice. This doesn't mesh with any of the D&D campaign settings except Forgotten Realms, I don't think.

Although seeing the Forgotten Realms blended with Dominaria and effectively destroyed would really amuse me.

Hmm, I've never played Magic, but what you wrote gave me an idea.

 In Zak Smith's Vornheim book there is a system for playing a game of chess outside of the normal game session to determine what is going on with various organization's machinations.

Perhaps there could be a game of Magic played outside of the normal game session to determine what is going on with the various machinations of the settings Big Wzards.  Something like Elminster vs...whatever Bad Wizard Guy he butts head against.

Butcher's proposal would actually be very smart IMO.

Quote from: misterguignol;501538Hmm, I've never played Magic, but what you wrote gave me an idea.

 In Zak Smith's Vornheim book there is a system for playing a game of chess outside of the normal game session to determine what is going on with various organization's machinations.

Perhaps there could be a game of Magic played outside of the normal game session to determine what is going on with the various machinations of the settings Big Wzards.  Something like Elminster vs...whatever Bad Wizard Guy he butts head against.

Personally, I wouldn't want to play in a setting where it's a given that all the movers and shakers of the setting are wizard lords.

Quote from: Halloween Jack;501572Personally, I wouldn't want to play in a setting where it's a given that all the movers and shakers of the setting are wizard lords.

You can play a game of Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots to figure out what the fighter movers and shakers are up to, if you like.

I was playing MtG the other day and the idea of integration came up again.
I think the concept of releasing setting books taken from MtG is a really good one.
Now you don't want to play magic in game that would be daft and ruin immersion but the idea of a setting book based on the Block is a good one.
Everyone hates the treadmill of splat-books but a company needs to make money from the game and the market is small so you have no choice but to sell multiple books to your consumers. However, you also want to expand the base and have a simpler evergreen game system.
If your core game is DMG, PHB, Monster manual and you decide not to release a host of other books then a releasing a new setting each year, on the basis that it's something quite disposable and that next year there will be another one is actually a bloody good idea. The settings can be divorced from the MtG conceit of wizards zapping about destroying planes of existence. You modify the historic D&D planar model to the MtG model where the MtG planes are basically iterations of the Prime Material.
Each setting can have new classes, monsters, spells, items and the rest as show in the cards. The Block release comes in 3 stages with some concept of a meta-plot so that gives you 3 setting books a year.
Because it's not trying to change the base game all books are totally optional and some settings will appeal to you some won't.  The base game stays evergreen. The setting books might even have appeal to MtG fans who want the background fluff, artwork etc.
Personally, I my core rules would include a toolbox for DMs to make new classes, monsters, spells etc and the setting books would largely be iterations of those rules.
I have to say that I would probably add some additional Options books to the core 3 book set. These would be for DMs to include or not and would be Advanced combat (martial arts, weapon and armour options etc ), Advanced Magic (with how to create new items, spells etc) , Advanced Skills (for the rogue types but basically a more comprehensive skills system). I would make these separate merely to keep the core rules light and allow new players an easier entry point but to provide enough crunch for the old hands.

I would have an ad campaign showing fat, slovenly unshaved and unwashed men playing 1E in a basement. Then playing 2E in the basement and looking older. Then playing 3E in the basement and being older, fatter, and even more unwashed. The 4E being played in the garage, with younger people, still fat.

Then the garage door rises, and they shrink back from the light hissing in fear and pain, then burst into flame.

Cut to normal people playing 5E and having fun, clean, polite, in a social surrounding.

Cue the label: "Fifth Edition! Now with Less Neckbeards!"

Quote from: T-Willard;501686I would have an ad campaign showing fat, slovenly unshaved and unwashed men playing 1E in a basement. Then playing 2E in the basement and looking older. Then playing 3E in the basement and being older, fatter, and even more unwashed. The 4E being played in the garage, with younger people, still fat.

Then the garage door rises, and they shrink back from the light hissing in fear and pain, then burst into flame.

Cut to normal people playing 5E and having fun, clean, polite, in a social surrounding.

Cue the label: "Fifth Edition! Now with Less Neckbeards!"

Slogans for 5e:

"A version of Dungeons and Dragons unsuitable for paedophiles"
"The roleplaying game that does not cause cancer!"
"30% more box in every boxed set!"
"For when your computer has broken down!"
"Compatible with all platforms, from shelves to tables to floors!"

Quote from: T-Willard;501686I would have an ad campaign showing fat, slovenly unshaved and unwashed men playing 1E in a basement. Then playing 2E in the basement and looking older. Then playing 3E in the basement and being older, fatter, and even more unwashed. The 4E being played in the garage, with younger people, still fat.

Then the garage door rises, and they shrink back from the light hissing in fear and pain, then burst into flame.

Cut to normal people playing 5E and having fun, clean, polite, in a social surrounding.

Cue the label: "Fifth Edition! Now with Less Neckbeards!"

If pissing off your aging, male, antisocial base was the key to success, the Republican Party woulda done it by now.

JG

Quote from: T-Willard;501686Cut to normal people playing 5E and having fun, clean, polite, in a social surrounding.

Cue the label: "Fifth Edition! Now with Less Neckbeards!"

You could have the multiracial caste laughing and cheering, rolling dice and playing cards on a colorful game board.

Quote from: Benoist;501553Butcher's proposal would actually be very smart IMO.

My heart belongs 100% to the TSR-era editions of the game (I'm looking at a copy of the BECMI D&D Hollow World boxed set on my desk, bought today from an old friend. Oh joy), but I'm realistic about it: I think 3e/3.5e is the most commercially viable version of D&D, the one most likely to succeed in today's marketplace, and right now, the most popular one.

Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;501537#3 is "Wizards retains the right to spin-offs, including video games, board games, card games, etc. based on the IP, and lets Paizo deal with RPGs and novels (the two least lucrative ends of the business).

Pseudo's nailed it.

I am no business whiz, but I suppose Paizo has proved that they are more competent at promoting, selling and supporting D&D than the current owners of the D&D brand. I feel making up with Paizo and licensing the "D&D" stamp out to them would be good for both parts, as Paizo gets the D&D stamp and Hasbro/WotC is free to milk the IP for all it's worth on other fronts; hopefully starting by securing a good  and functional videogame licensing deal. We've been years without new D&D games, which is ridiculous. WoW is growing old and bleeding subscriptions for the first time ever, if they want a slice of the MMO market now's the fucking time.

Also kid stuff. Why not a new D&D cartoon, complete with toy line, aimed at kids in their early teens? Yes, it would probably suck by our jaded grognard standards, but you've got to reel in the young 'uns if you want to keep the hobby and by extension the IP alive.

Again, I'm no business guy, I'm just making this shit up as I go along. Thoughts?