Is D&D (WotC) flaming out?

[ShinHakkaider]

These arguements hurt my head... So I will say, in my campaign a pre-published AP is not a railroad unless the DM runs it like one.

Absolutely.

If you are incapable of running a published adventure without making it seem like a railroad? Then that goes to the DM's skill or lack therof. There are a few cases where it's the fault of a poorly written mod, but for the most part it's totally possible to run something like Curse of the Crimson throne (which I'm running right now) and have it be enjoyable and fun.

Especially if your clear with your players at the outset that youre running something like that. Saying that AP's = Railroads = Bad is just another way of saying we're doing it wrong and it's badwrong fun.

 

[korjik]

But that's what we've got _now_. A shoe labelled "D&D" that doesn't fit a lot of people who it once did.

A thousand times this! It seems that they realize this somewhat since Essentials seems to be an abrupt backpedaling to try and win back many that passed on 4E. Unfortunately, it seems to be too little, too late. They now have Pathfinder and retroclones to compete with. It seems they were doomed once they decided to make a complete break with many traditions of the game. D&D has strong name recognition but not strong enough to sell a game that bears little resemblance to the D&D that many fans cut their RPG teeth on.

I think it is even worse than what you have here. Breaking with the prior editions did not fix any problems, it just created a whole new set of problems. Now after a couple years, instead of fixing the problems (like say dual-stat classes) they go and make another break, and we will see another set of problems.

That is half of what got me out of running D&D. Essentials, to me, is WOTC saying that they arent going to fix anything, just make new rules sets that are only partly compatable and call it better. 4e's only saving grace is its simplicity. Tossing that got me out.

 

[Derulbaskul]

I think the internet community would be a lot more pleasant if somebody at WotC actually made an effort to engage us over the issues.

Look at Matthew Sprange: Mongoose has screwed up more times than most can count but he had the balls to come to ENWorld and other places, 'fess up and then detail how things were going to be fixed. And he's taken questions and handled criticism, even of the non-constructive kind, with good grace.

Compare and contrast with Bill "I know all about orchidectomies" Slavicsek. His only contribution to the poo-storm surrounding the latest e-turds cranked out by his DDi team is to include a sentence in his latest Ampersand article suggesting that we check out the new Character Builder to see what all the fuss is about.

He just doesn't get it.

If I owned D&D I would be making sure that the internet community didn't reach a critical mass of anti-WotC sentiment and I would insisting that some of the most senior members of the team were responsible for this. Right now about the only commentary we see on the latest e-turd problems is from mudbunny, and he's an unpaid volunteer!

 

[Dark Mistress]

I think the internet community would be a lot more pleasant if somebody at WotC actually made an effort to engage us over the issues.

Look at Matthew Sprange: Mongoose has screwed up more times than most can count but he had the balls to come to ENWorld and other places, 'fess up and then detail how things were going to be fixed. And he's taken questions and handled criticism, even of the non-constructive kind, with good grace.

Compare and contrast with Bill "I know all about orchidectomies" Slavicsek. His only contribution to the poo-storm surrounding the latest e-turds cranked out by his DDi team is to include a sentence in his latest Ampersand article suggesting that we check out the new Character Builder to see what all the fuss is about.

He just doesn't get it.

If I owned D&D I would be making sure that the internet community didn't reach a critical mass of anti-WotC sentiment and I would insisting that some of the most senior members of the team were responsible for this. Right now about the only commentary we see on the latest e-turd problems is from mudbunny, and he's an unpaid volunteer!

I agree with that, i think all companies should. It is a reason I like Mongoose even if they don't make a lot of stuff I buy. It was a big reason i was a fan of World of Darkness back in the 90's and it is a big reason why I am a big paizo fan now.

The people making the games come to the forums and talk to them and engage them. They come across like they listen to their fans and they care what the fans think. Weather they do or not I have no clue, but coming across that way, sure helps.

PS this is not a knock on anyone or a attempt at saying game y is better than game x. I think it is sad i feel compelled to make this PS.

 

[Squnk]

Why does it seem like a good number of people have a doomsday prediction for tabletop games in one way or another. I understand that all good things will come to an end and this form of gaming at some point will come to an end. But at this point in time it has a healthy supportive community and very many devoted players. No matter what the market says and what a small percent of people observe, tabletop is going to be around for a good while, viva d&d.

 

[Dice4Hire]

Why does it seem like a good number of people have a doomsday prediction for tabletop games in one way or another. I understand that all good things will come to an end and this form of gampoint at some point will come to an end. But at this point in time it has a healthy supportive community and very many devoted players. No matter what the market says and what a small percent of people observe, tabletop is going to be around for a good while, viva d&d.

I wonder about this too. The main effect of WOTC going digital will be me playing with what I already got.

 

[delericho]

Which is exactly what I hate about AP products. Shouldn't the DM and players/PCs be doing that without an overarching and pre-determined plot line?

Given the time I don't have to prepare, I find these "campaigns-in-a-box" to be invaluable. By making appropriate use of one of these, I can run an excellent campaign, where I otherwise simply would not have the time.

Remember, if you don't like them, then you don't have to buy them - there's no need to call for the extinction of the product format!

 

[Cyronax]

The people making the games come to the forums and talk to them and engage them. They come across like they listen to their fans and they care what the fans think. Weather they do or not I have no clue, but coming across that way, sure helps.

Well ENWorld isn't the official WotC chatboard, but I remember quite a few times seeing WotC reps come on to the boards off and on. Has this changed?

 

[delericho]

Well ENWorld isn't the official WotC chatboard, but I remember quite a few times seeing WotC reps come on to the boards off and on. Has this changed?

Haven't seen any regular interaction from WotC since The Rouse left the company. Shame really. (Though, given some of the abuse given to WotC folk in the past, I'm not sure I can blame them.)

 

[Dice4Hire]

Mudbunny, though not an official WOTC guy, is excellent.