Whither art thou, oh mighty D&D Podcast?

As a man with a long commute to work every day, I have acquired a great love for podcasts.  While the quality can vary, it is more than worth it for the low price (free) and the amazing diversity of topics available.  Personally, I listen to many podcasts on the TWiT Network, The Classic Tales, Grammar Girl, Legal Lad, The Spider-Man Crawlspace Podcast, and several others.  Not to mention I am a frequent participant of the Lords of Tyr Podcast.

I am also a fan of the D&D Podcast.  Unfortunately it seems to have disappeared.  Perhaps Wizards of the Coast saw the podcast as a marketing tool for 4th Edition, and now that it has shipped they no longer see the need.  Perhaps the D&D Podcast was the pet project of one or two staffers (like Mike Mearls and Dave Noonian) and they have simply gotten too busy since the release of 4th Edition.  Maybe the marketing department didn't like a conduit of information being out there that they didn't fully control.  Who knows?

In any case, I think it is really a shame that it hasn't been around.  I found it to be an incredibly useful conduit of information.  Listening to the podcast often gave me insight into what the developers were thinking when they developed a new rules supplement.  It's amazing how often that made a difference in whether I would purchase a product and if I would allow a new rules supplement to be used in my game.

Especially now, the podcast should be an invaluable conduit of information of information for Wizards of the Coast.  Updates on DDI, answering customer questions via the mailbag, and of course, selling us on the new system and why we should be buying upcoming books.

Frankly, I am baffled as to why WOTC would toss aside such a valuable tool just when they need it most!  I guess I will just keep my fingers crossed that we will soon see the triumphant return of the D&D podcast.