In a recent interview with Polygon, acclaimed author R.A. Salvatore discussed the myriad challenges he faced while crafting stories that conform to the constantly evolving rules of Dungeons & Dragons. Salvatore, who is well-known for his contributions to both the Star Wars Expanded Universe and the Forgotten Realms, reflected on how the sweeping changes introduced in the 4th Edition almost drove him to the edge.

Salvatore stated:

“4th Edition D&D almost broke me, not because I didn’t like 4th edition D&D. I’m not making any judgments—positive or negative—on any of the editions, but the changes were so sweeping.”

He noted that even the vastly popular 5th Edition, which is the framework for the latest Baldur’s Gate games, resembles a more accessible version of Dungeons & Dragons 3.5. He and fellow writer Ed Greenwood voiced their concerns regarding the altered world dynamics of the Forgotten Realms during the 4th Edition’s launch.

Reflecting on the timeline shifts implemented in that edition, Salvatore recounted:

“In about 5 years they’re going to come to us and say, ‘Bob, we got to fix this.’”

Ultimately, as the 5th Edition rules shifted back to an equilibrium more like the 3rd Edition, the Forgotten Realms saw another critical update, restoring older narratives and characters to life, cementing Salvatore’s legacy in a world of ongoing change.