Look at the above picture, remind you of anything. WizBro are now marketing a new 'Essentials' set for new (not) DnD in such a way that it LOOKS like something familiar (is it me or is that really REALLY underhand marketing). There's been reference to the 'Essentials' set around the Blogoshpere for quite a while now.
The (not) DnD 'Essentials' box set is not a Basic version of the Game (as it appears to be - naughty, naughty WizBro), it is (unfortunately) just another pointless 'starter kit' from WizBro (no doubt in an attempt to milk even more money out of people).
To make things EVEN WORSE 'Essentials' will only cover characters up to Second Level (whats the f**ing point), so just like the 3e/3.5e and previous 4e (not) DnD starter kits its a piece of 'crippleware' - essentially an expensive piece of advertising and not a true game.
Now as we all know the Holmes, Moldvay, and Menzter Basic D&D Sets all went up to level 3, and in WizBro's defense 3rd level is only one level number higher than 2nd level.
HOWEVER - character progression was much slower in earlier D&D than it is in 4e.
Consequently, you could run a campaign of 6+ full adventures before characters would advance to level 3.
The last time one blogger I know ran a Basic D&D Campaign it lasted quite a few weeks - and by the end the PC's were only level 2-3.
I don't know if any of you have played 4e (not) DnD - but 4e characters advance much MUCH faster. So you might only get a couple of sessions in before the 'Essentials' set becomes redundant.
Most Bloggers out there on the net - should've known better than to have been intrigued by this coming out (and they were - some were quite excited in fact).
As it turns out it's just more shiny (not) DnD crap LoL!
WizBro Strikes Again
But this does look like tripe to me. 
