Edition Wars: D&D vs Vampire – A Bitter History

Welcome to our latest episode where we delve into the storied and contentious history of the 'Edition Wars' that rocked the tabletop RPG world. Our hosts, GreyDMs and Owen, guide us through the intense debates and emotional investments players have in their favorite versions of iconic games like Dungeons and Dragons and Vampire: The Masquerade.

We begin by exploring the dramatic changes brought by the introduction of D&D's 3rd edition and its revolutionary Open Games License, a move that initially unified the community but later set the stage for division with the advent of 4th edition. You’ll hear how the tactical, MMO-inspired 4E split the fanbase and how Pathfinder emerged as a 3.5 holdout, eventually topping D&D in sales.

In parallel, we cover how Vampire: The Masquerade's shift to Vampire: The Requiem split its community, provoking debate over storytelling styles and game mechanics. We discuss the impact of V5’s controversial launch, including real-world controversies, on the game’s evolution.

Join us as we analyze the aftermath and lessons learned from these Edition Wars and discuss how both franchises have evolved to embrace a diverse fanbase while avoiding the pitfalls of past divisions.