WotC Responds!!!

[Mean DM]

Irrespective of my own opinion...

I have been in an unique position for years to support young gamers. As a school psychologist, I have been able to give credibility to gaming when faced with parents who were either on the fence, or even against the game. I have vigorously challenged the old myths and actively promoted the benefits of this hobby. And I will continue to do this, but no longer mentioning d&d by name. Regardless of the actual material of the book, I simply cannot support a system (d20) that is associated with this content in my professional arena anymore. I find this a sad thing. Just my $0.02.

Mark

 

[Henry]

Regardless of the actual material of the book, I simply cannot support a system (d20) that is associated with this content in my professional arena anymore.

Just out of my curiosity, what systems do you intend to support as good examples now?

 

[Assenpfeffer]

'pfeffer, I see you registered around November of last year. By chance were you lurking on these boards back in September and October of last year? The exact same thing happened then, concerning the Book of Vile Darkness. We had no less than six thread closings in one day, because of insults, mild profanity directed toward forum members, and insults against Monte and Tracy Hickman.

I recall the flap happening, but wasn't involved and didn't keep up with it very closely. I'm not surprised.

The first is fascinating to me, because I was not aware of it. Is there a site or book reference that can point me to this?

There's been at least one article written on the subject. Can't point you to a source, alas.

Nor can I really show you any evidence that it's so. But go to a con and look around. Or, heck, hang out in Tangency over on RPGNet for a while - the subject comes up almost every day.

Fascinating use of the term, "Valar." I wonder if the Tolkien Estate can claim the name "Valar?"

Unless it's trademarked, there's nothing much the Tolkien folks can do about it. I kind of doubt that it is.

 

[Assenpfeffer]

Just out of my curiosity, what systems do you intend to support as good examples now?

Hol and Demon: The Fallen, of course.

 

[Mean DM]

Just out of my curiosity, what systems do you intend to support as good examples now?

Henry, that is a good question. I honestly haven’t thought it through yet. Off the top of my head, though, I’ll probably not recommend a specific system and keep my recommendation general. However, if asked directly about d&d, I will be upfront with my concern and inform them of material like this. On the other hand, I will follow up with other systems like TROS, Decipher (CODA), Pendragon, etc.

Mark

 

[mkarol]

Re: Irrespective of my own opinion...

Regardless of the actual material of the book, I simply cannot support a system (d20) that is associated with this content in my professional arena anymore. I find this a sad thing.

Well, nothing says that this book will be a d20 book.

Does that mean if someone came up with rules for 'strip monopoly' that you could not support the game despite its other money management teaching skills? If someone made a porn spoof of Barney or Sesame Street, you wouldn’t talk about those as educational? We already know that Eddie Murphy spoofed Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood with the highly racially charged Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood, so I assume that has been out of education for years.

Now of course you may respond with the ‘because WOTC is part of it’ argument, which (though I believe it is true) is not relevant. There is nothing that requires any company or producer to make all its produces suitable for all its audience. That would be silly. Just as PBS makes Sesame Street for the kiddies, they make Nova or Mystery Theatre or whatever other show they make for adults (I don’t really watch PBS anymore… not since I stopped watching Sesame Street).

Why must everyone take an absurd outlook that requires one aspect of the hobby, one product in the pantheon of books, and one theme out of thousands and turn them into the doom of everyone else’s game?

 

[EricNoah]

Re: Re: Irrespective of my own opinion...

Well, nothing says that this book will be a d20 book.

His press release says it will be compatible with D&D. I think you can only say that if you're using the d20 logo. You can't do that if it's pure OGL.

 

[Bulletproof]

Re: Re: Re: Irrespective of my own opinion...

His press release says it will be compatible with D&D. I think you can only say that if you're using the d20 logo. You can't do that if it's pure OGL.

You can if you get permission from WOTC.

 

[Mean DM]

Re: Re: Irrespective of my own opinion...

Why must everyone take an absurd outlook that requires one aspect of the hobby, one product in the pantheon of books, and one theme out of thousands and turn them into the doom of everyone else’s game?

I'll pass on debating this . I think that it is self evident that my job is very much affected by how I am perceived by parents. And the way parents gossip makes middle school look like armatures. Like it or not, perception counts in some lines of work. All I am saying is that I cannot recommend d&d anymore, not pronouncing doom. It is just a professional call on my part. I hope you can respect that. I only posted to share a different view.

Mark

 

[EricNoah]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Irrespective of my own opinion...

You can if you get permission from WOTC.

WotC's response was that they had nothing to do with this product, they put as much distance as they could between them and this book. I think the only reasonable conclusion is that this book will bear the d20 logo.