Simon T. Vesper
First Post
Alexis Smolensk, at the Tao of D&D, recently wrote: "NO ONE else is creating the content I'm creating." I understand this reference in terms of the game rules he's posted online, the literally thousands of posts he's written about D&D specifically (and role-playing in general), his recent podcast (Authentic Role-Playing, where he interviews everyday DMs and GMs), and so on.
My question to this forum: is he correct? Is there gaming content out there that matches (or exceeds) the quality or clarity of his work?
For example, I've been going through D&D podcasts lately, looking for in-depth analyses of the game. I'm talking about people discussing rules, paradigms, gaming philosophy, strategies, tactics, game design, etc. All I'm finding is people playing a story-telling game, which holds no interest for me. Are there podcasts that touch on these topics? Or is the Tao of D&D alone in exploring the game at this level?
P.S. I understand the potential for this query to turn into a flame war. That's not my intent. I'm seeking honest feedback from members here.
EDIT 1: Fixed the URL links.
EDIT 2: I offer the following clarification for advanced: ahead or far or further along in progress, complexity, knowledge, skill, etc.
For example, the earliest versions of the game had encounter tables with 11 options, where the DM would roll 2d6 to determine the wandering monster. Each table had to be tailored by the DM to fit the dungeon or wilderness site. An advanced version might include dozens of options, where the DM would roll 1d100; or it might be a series of nested tables, where you'd roll to determine the encounter type, then the time of the encounter, then the specific monster/NPC; or it might be an Excel spreadsheet with hundreds of tables and a few macros, where you'd input a few data points for the encounter and randomly generate the rest. Per the definition, however, an advanced encounter table could be one that took into consideration such factors as time of day, the surrounding landscape, the presence of civilization (and the complexity of that civilization), the season or weather, and so on; the final product wouldn't have to be complex, but the thought process that went into it, would be.
Who are the creators of advanced role-playing content? What have they made and where can we find it? Have you used their products; how did it benefit your game?
My question to this forum: is he correct? Is there gaming content out there that matches (or exceeds) the quality or clarity of his work?
For example, I've been going through D&D podcasts lately, looking for in-depth analyses of the game. I'm talking about people discussing rules, paradigms, gaming philosophy, strategies, tactics, game design, etc. All I'm finding is people playing a story-telling game, which holds no interest for me. Are there podcasts that touch on these topics? Or is the Tao of D&D alone in exploring the game at this level?
P.S. I understand the potential for this query to turn into a flame war. That's not my intent. I'm seeking honest feedback from members here.
EDIT 1: Fixed the URL links.
EDIT 2: I offer the following clarification for advanced: ahead or far or further along in progress, complexity, knowledge, skill, etc.
For example, the earliest versions of the game had encounter tables with 11 options, where the DM would roll 2d6 to determine the wandering monster. Each table had to be tailored by the DM to fit the dungeon or wilderness site. An advanced version might include dozens of options, where the DM would roll 1d100; or it might be a series of nested tables, where you'd roll to determine the encounter type, then the time of the encounter, then the specific monster/NPC; or it might be an Excel spreadsheet with hundreds of tables and a few macros, where you'd input a few data points for the encounter and randomly generate the rest. Per the definition, however, an advanced encounter table could be one that took into consideration such factors as time of day, the surrounding landscape, the presence of civilization (and the complexity of that civilization), the season or weather, and so on; the final product wouldn't have to be complex, but the thought process that went into it, would be.
Who are the creators of advanced role-playing content? What have they made and where can we find it? Have you used their products; how did it benefit your game?
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