According to a press release from publisher Wizards of the Coast, "The 4th Edition rules emphasize faster game play, offer exciting new character options, and reduce the amount of 'prep time' needed to run the game."
The release schedule announced by publisher Wizards of the Coast includes three main books:
May 2008: Player's Handbook
June 2008: Monster Manual
July 2008: Dungeon Master's Guide
Two 4th Edition preview books will be available in December 2007 and January 2008: Wizards Presents: Classes and Races and Wizards Presents: Worlds and Monsters.
Also available in 2008 will be new Web tools and forums via the new Dungeons & Dragons Insider digital version, including the ability to play online.
"We've been gathering player feedback for eight years," Bill Slavicsek, Wizards of the Coast's R&D director of roleplaying and miniatures games, said in a press release. "Fourth Edition streamlines parts of the D&D game that are too complex while enhancing the overall play experience."
The first live demos of Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition will take place at the D&D Experience gaming convention in Washington D.C. in February 2008.