The Next playtest takes AD&D/ D&D some way back in the direction of earlier versions, which makes it less tactical combat and likely to appeal to a wider audience. However, there is no need to pay again or buy into a premium line, as RPGs have moved on - a lot - and the choice of complete, free/ micropayment RPGs is wide. E.g. Copies of Classic Traveller are downloadable and editable, clones like Pathfinder, S&W and Corruption cost buttons, and more modern, 'intuitive gaming' designs like Treasure actively support improvisation.
Next will continue to have the shiniest art and countless add-ons - but a teenager or a library doesn't need to pay at all to access similar gameplay and lots of adventures/ settings. E.g. Clones like Labyrinth Lord, Dark Dungeons and Renegade are zero cost; and becoming more and more presentable all the time.
Slashdot Mirror
The Next playtest takes AD&D/ D&D some way back in the direction of earlier versions, which makes it less tactical combat and likely to appeal to a wider audience. However, there is no need to pay again or buy into a premium line, as RPGs have moved on - a lot - and the choice of complete, free/ micropayment RPGs is wide. E.g. Copies of Classic Traveller are downloadable and editable, clones like Pathfinder, S&W and Corruption cost buttons, and more modern, 'intuitive gaming' designs like Treasure actively support improvisation. Next will continue to have the shiniest art and countless add-ons - but a teenager or a library doesn't need to pay at all to access similar gameplay and lots of adventures/ settings. E.g. Clones like Labyrinth Lord, Dark Dungeons and Renegade are zero cost; and becoming more and more presentable all the time.