Mirrorrorrim
Hero
They will have an unspoken timeline for PHB release (even if we don't know it yet), and they will want to meet it, as they will have a LOT of partnerships to manage that will coincide with it. They have to manage printing windows based on printer availability, they have Marketing to plan, create, and deliver, they have DDB work to get done, and 3rd party partnerships (like WizKids for supplements like spellcards). There is a lot to do that the designers are not a part of.I think they may be taking the approach that the books will be completed and released when they are satisfied with them and they are ready, so the playtests will come when they are needed. I don't think they are holding themselves to a strict timeline. I hope that's the case and they aren't trying to rush them out to meet a meaningless deadline. As others have said I think the PHB will be out by years end and the DMG & MM will come later.
The market sucks and Wizards had a rough year. They want to get sales out, so I think they will release before Halloween. A Q3 push will help. That said, I really hope they are focused on quality before speed.
We'll likely learn more here in Q1 when they deliver the results of last year, and provide a 2024 release timeline to shareholders to drum up confidence and excitement and bring the stock price up.