Oh My Goodness! That looks like D&D!

[thecasualoblivion]

I also have gotten the impression that the playtest wiffs of classic D&D. I don't think the term 'Real' is exactly fair, but it's definitely there.

I also don't think that makes it any good for new players. Neither the nostalgic familiarity that appeals to the old-schoolers, nor the choice-rich modernity expected by early adopters, helps new players. What helps new players is accessibility. That means limited scope and complexity, at first, with a strong first play experience without any sense of being 'left out' or 'hazed,' and leading into a fuller picture of the game and the broader hobby with continued play.

Don't forget sex appeal. Appealing to new players also requires that the game inspires or grabs them in some way. Something that causes them to say "that's awesome!"

The current rules don't really accomplish that IMO.

 

[Tony Vargas]

I feel 5e is running there with large steps. Can#t get much simpler than this without getting into boring.

They could cut Vancian, that would greatly reduce complexity.

 

[Lwaxy]

They could cut Vancian, that would greatly reduce complexity.

Oh yes, yes indeed!

I keep forgetting that because Vancian is gone from most of my games for more than a decade.

 

[Tony Vargas]

Don't forget sex appeal. Appealing to new players also requires that the game inspires or grabs them in some way. Something that causes them to say "that's awesome!"

The current rules don't really accomplish that IMO.

No, I guess it doesn't.

I find myself thing that it's a different world than when the hobby started. When I first played D&D, the visions in my head that D&D competed with were from reading Edgar Rice Buroughs and watching Ray Harryhausen movies. Today, ERB's John Carter of Mars, heavy with CGI, failed to wow anyone. Kids these days must laugh at Jason and the Argonauts. And then there all the on-line interactive imagery, not just MMOs, but everyday internet experience of clicking on something and it animating. I don't know how plastic minis and dice are supposed to compete... but, apparently, in spite of my old-man-musing, they do. Every con I run a 'new players' game, I get some new players, and every season of Encounters I attend sees a few... and they're quite young and have their smartphones and on-line lives, and yet still find D&D engrossing.

I guess I'm just thinking the same things about 'kids these days' as older generations though about my generation because we grew up in front of the TV.

 

[Dark Mistress]

After reading the playtest doc and now some threads here. This is kinda my take(granted my memory is fuzzy on early editions of DnD i was young)

5E to me feels like they took the skeleton of OD&D, put the nerves, muscles, tendons etc of 2E, put in several 3E organs, with a couple of 4E organs.

Or is not so metaphoric speak. It seems like the simple framework of OD&D, with a lot of the fiddly bits, skills, kits etc of 2E, with some 3E aspects added a few 4E aspects thrown in.

Just like last time there is a couple of things I like, a couple of things I really don't like and most of the rest I am indifferent to. As it stands now 5E is shaping up to be my second favorite version of DnD.

 

[jrowland]

Kinda, but I would also want Fighters, Rogues, and Clerics to have the option not to be boring and mundane(the 5E Wizard is fine in this regard atm)

I sort of assume that "mundane" Cleric, fighter, wizard, rogue is a good place to start for a playtest. get those nailed down before you move into more exotic things.

I am not too worried about it...I fully expect more backgrounds, spcialties, races as well as full on classes at release. Even if release feels thin in this regard, splatbooks will be a comin'.

I love the 4E runepriest, but I am not going to cry if its not in the playtest.

 

[triqui]

I guess I'm just thinking the same things about 'kids these days' as older generations though about my generation because we grew up in front of the TV.

"The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for
authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place
of exercise." Socrates.

I think there's nothing new ^^