Wizards announced that the next edition of Dungeons and Dragons will officially be released on July 15th, 2014, beginning with a starter set including six dice, a 64 page rulebook and adventure, rules for characters of level 1-5, and 5 pre-generated characters. They are also releasing a starter set of miniatures called Icons of the Realms at this time.
Following this in August, they will release the core rulebook for $50, and a 96 page adventure developed by Kobold Press titled Hoard of the Dragon Queen. At this time it they will also release a 44 piece set of miniatures available as booster packs. The Monster Manual will be out in September, and the Dungeon Master's Guide in November.
I'm am curious about how all of this is going to go, but truth be told I'm much more excited for the monthly releases from Paizo for the Pathfinder RPG. I really don't have a lot of faith that Wizards will continue to provide strong support for this edition of D&D after the first year or so. Meanwhile, Paizo keeps giving us more and more quality adventures, additional rules, excellent pre-painted miniatures, etc. I would love to be wrong about Wizards, but even if that is so, it would take a lot to get me to switch my weekly games from Pathfinder to D&D's new edition. I will buy the minis, but I doubt I'll get any of the books. Besides, why aren't they releasing the Player's Guide, Monster Manual, and DM's Guide at the same time? I'm not really interested in buying one without the others. Another reason I'm not super excited about this news.
