GTS 2009 D&D Seminar - the Rouse discusses D&D

[Henrix]

If people want roleplay heavy adventures, make them.

That's something I've been wondering as well - why are there so few roleplay heavy adventures from third party publishers? In pdf it should be easy to sell.

 

[rounser]

Ariosto hit the nail above. 4E isn't marketing one of its most considerable strengths: ease of customizability. Like the "design your own trap" article that came out in Dragon magazine after the core books were released - that's the sort of stuff you want to be in the core books.

I recall a TSR designer saying that the 2E DMG was made with this plan of intentional incompleteness so you'd keep buying in mind (saving material that should have been in the DMG for the splatbooks). I think people notice when they see important chunks of the game they're used to conspicuously absent (although I never noticed with 2E, despite the fact that I agree that it's not a very useful book).

 

[Emryys]

It is *the* most significant thing a person can do to grow the game and the hobby in general, regardless what specific system(s) or editions you end up playing... Without DMs, there is no game.

QFT... since '80, 1E to 4E

It is not additional rules I am looking for but a product that would have given me basic rules, pre-gens, minis, and tiles all in one package. One that would have allowed multiple game sessions. One that would have sparked my imagination through multiple play sessions. One that was easy and quick to learn....

Maybe you need the 4E Starter Set

I'd also download the Character Builder Demo for additional characters... greatly expands the replay value

Might I make a suggestion? Have someone in your office scour the internet for fantasy/RPG webcomics. There are hundreds out there, convenienty organized into various lists.

Somewhere to start... www.thewebcomiclist.com

 

[jbear]

Scott,

How long until the character builder and DNDi in general will be available in other languages, if at all? I'm especially interested in Spanish.

Someone suggested looking at what LostSoul did with KotS, I second that notion. Having advice on how to DM in that style would be a true gem. My brain nearly exploded with ideas when he described how he allowed his soon-to-be-sacrificed-to-Orcus-PC's escape during a skill challenge using their attack powers and resolving them with skill checks. Also, how he handled the split party (the worst thing my players could do to me) in rounds, with two simultaneous events going on is brilliant. That should go down in print as SOLID DM ADVICE.

I realise that the 'say yes' guideline in the DMG advocates this type of ruling. Some guidelines on how to do it with the game system as it stands would be cool.

One of people's complaints (though not mine or my players') is the 'sameness' of classes. I think you're already on the ball on this one with some of the concepts you seem to be developing, like Racial Lineage. Between all the new classes, a multi-class, hybrids and the Bard and a racial lineage to boot, character build options are pretty darn wide.

Keeping in mind, and I think even the most embittered detractor of 4e must understand that the engine has been built (The engine is not going to be rebuilt, tuned at best maybe.), and whatever follows must slot into the engine, maybe there is room to slot in an optional subsystem for classes along the same lines as the Lineage feats.

Within the Class there could be an Expertise Line of feats that would define one ranger from another, and also (as only rangers could take up one of their expertise lines) define rangers from theives. Once that line was taken up, you could't take another line. The feats could largely influence out-of-combat situations, heading down the line of 'promote RP characteristic of my class'.

Anyway, just a thought.

The idea of converting earlier modules seems like an interesting one. Especially if it were along the lines of 'Clear Guidelines to convert your early edition modules to 4e'.

I liked the mention of Ravenloft. My 4e campaign is using homebrew adaptation of the Heroes of Horror Taint system, and the world is slowly descending into a realm of horror itself. I'm sure I would find lots of inspirational material in a Ravenloft setting.

Are you allowed to tell us if a new power source is underway and being developed? If so, are you allowed to accidently type the first or second letter of that power source and then stop and say you've been sworn to secrecy? Something like this: 'Yes, part of the team has begun the initial devolopment of a new power source we have decided to call Ki.... ahhhh, actually I'm sworn to secrecy, so I can't tell you' ;p

Ok last question. At the moment a character's power source doesn't have any real influence over the game, it seems merely descriptive. Will this change as the game continues to expand and grow? If so, in what way will they characters power source be relevant?

Thank you for your time.

 

[Festivus]

It is not additional rules I am looking for but a product that would have given me basic rules, pre-gens, minis, and tiles all in one package. One that would have allowed multiple game sessions. One that would have sparked my imagination through multiple play sessions. One that was easy and quick to learn. Basically, an expanded version of H1. Something more like Hero Quest or Descent. As it turned out, I just became frustrated and put the books on my shelf and I have not touched them since.

When I say it makes a great board game or minis game - I really mean it! I would love to see more products embrace that notion. Delve Night seems like a good step in that direction. I would love to see a convient way to emulate that at home - and with people who may not have ever gamed before. While I may not want to play long drawn-out campaigns with 4e that does not mean that I do not want a way to utilize the system.

A few thoughts:
First, the D&D RPG Starter Set, which is almost exactly what you describe might have been worth looking into. Perhaps it wasn't out at the time... I really wished that came out at the same time as everything else. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Roleplaying-Starter-Introductory/dp/0786948205/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240409440&sr=8-2]Amazon.com: Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Starter Set (D&D Introductory Game): Wizards RPG Team: Books[/ame]

Second, you can order delve night for home play a month after it comes out for retail play without having to use WPN. You don't get DM points for it, but you can certainly order them.

Third, check out the Living Forgotten Realms. You get short adventures for a variety of levels that can be played in about 4 hours. Best of all, they are FREE!

Oh fourth, one of the best books I have seen for people like me who often run out of time... the "Dungeon Delve" book. I have used 5 levels worth of them already. I'd love to see a "Dungeon Delve 2".

 

[Mournblade94]

If I were to target areas of geekdom outside of hobby gaming I would choose:

LARP/SCA
Roller Derby
Garage Bands and Local Metal Scenes
Urban Vinyl
Low Brow Art

Many of the gamers I play with got their start in LARP. Most of the people in SCA have already played D&D for years. It is because of the old wargamers that were involved in Runequest and TSR that Pensic intentionally interfered with the old GENCON.

I always make sure to invite the newer players to our tabletop games.

 

[mhensley]

One marketing idea I give a big thumbs up to is the D&D game on Facebook. Very neat and I'm sure it's seen by a large number of people there. I've also started seeing D&D flash ads on Digg which are pretty nice.

 

[Festivus]

I'd love to see Sheldon and company on Big Bang Theory have a episode that revolved around a D&D game, perhaps in the spirit of "The Gamers" where they flip between real world and the fantasy world. Sadly, I am no script writer and probably have no shot at ever seeing this happen.

 

[Holy Smokes]

..Garage Bands and Local Metal Scenes...

Speaking of which, somebody really needs to grab a license from Double Fine Productions for Brütal Legend. This game cries out for the 4E D&D treatment; Tim Shafer's metal mythology setting is incredible with awesome-sauce poured on top.

The sub-cultural overlaps are too synchronous to ignore. D&D IS METAL, and Brütal Legend has just the setting to prove it.

 

[D'karr]

I'd love to see Sheldon and company on Big Bang Theory have a episode that revolved around a D&D game, perhaps in the spirit of "The Gamers" where they flip between real world and the fantasy world. Sadly, I am no script writer and probably have no shot at ever seeing this happen.

That is absolutely one of the funniest shows. If Sheldon was DMing, that would be hilarious. But they really need to include Kripke in the game. His Elmer Fudd speech is ridiculously funny.