Mad at Paizo?

[darjr]

Is Paizo keeping the old version in print or available in PDF at their store?

 

[Green Onceler]

Is Paizo keeping the old version in print or available in PDF at their store?

Yes, the PDFs are still available. Also, the Pocket Edition soft cover rulebooks will remain in print "for as long as they keep selling." It will be interesting to see just how long that ends up being.

 

[MNblockhead]

I think I have a worry that whatever the intention of the Matt Mercer, Critical Role becomes seen as the correct, standard or best way to play D&D.

I don’t personally like the show, but choose not to watch more than the 3 or 4 episodes I have. I have that ability and can choose to ignore.

However it seems to have turned into a VERY big part of how d&d is promoted, perceived and referenced. That I have no control over and can’t avoid.

This doesn’t seem to be the case for other streams like Matt C or Dice Camera Action.

Matt Coleville's Strongholds & Followers was the biggest RRG kickstarter in history. Perkins has run Acq. Inc. games before many thousands of live and live-stream audiences, including games live streamed to live audiences in movie theaters around the USA. In terms of material actually used at the table I feel safe betting that Colveville's book is much more widely used than Mercer's setting book.

Even in the Hollywood scene, Joe Maganiello probably has had a greater impact on the how D&D is promoted and perceived than the other as he's talking about it on the top talk shows.

Critical Role certainly has a huge impact on the hobby and its popularity, but don't discount the influence of better selling game authors and better known celebrities.

That's not discounting the CR teams amazing accomplishments but we are in a golden age of D&D where A-list celebrities are promoting it, tie-ins with major TV shows (Stranger Things, Rick & Morty) are happening, and third-party fans are creating large fan bases and turning their home-brew rules, settings, and stories into franchises worth millions.

 

[MNblockhead]

Maybe its because I'm running third-party material (Rappan Athuk mega dungeon, set in the Lost Lands, by Frog God Games), but I have to seek out Critical Role. I don't use syrin scape, and the You Tube channels I follow that are focused on D&D (mainly Coleville, Web DM, and Animated Spell Book mostly) only very rarely mention critical role and You Tube just isn't putting CR content in my feed. The only time I hear anything about CR is when they are brought up in forums, but it is hardly common enough to be off putting. I guess I am not finding it too hard to ignore CR.

Not that I have anything against them. I backed the Kickstarter for their animated series and bought the setting book. But I just don't have the time and interest to listen to their streams.

Lets lay the cards out... I find CR and Matt Mercer’s style pretentious and overly theatrical. I’m not a fan of the players that take part. Neither do I like the soap opera like discussion and debriefing of the sessions after. I don’t doubt that a lot of people like it. However it isn’t my cup of tea. It’s possible that I find it off putting because I’m British and I prefer things a little more understated. Or perhaps the accent jars. It doesn’t really matter the reason. It is my opinion. I wouldn’t normally share the details because it can be seen as negative and doesn’t do anything to change the minds of those that are already fans. However those who find it impossible to believe some might find it off-putting, believe me, it is.

However like it or not MM is now seen as the Ambassador/Paragon of DMing. There are you tube blogs, endless forum posts, product lines discussing and referencing CR. He even appears on my Syrinscape downloads as character voices. It is ubiquitous and you can barely google a D&D topic without CR or MM popping up somewhere. I do not blame them for being popular. Neither do I expect them to do anything different. They are a brand and influencer and they do what they do very effectively. Please allow me to feel uncomfortable as I feel the effect of that influence.

Edited: brand and influencer.

 

[MNblockhead]

Do you guys feel threatened by the rising popularity of being geek in the mainstream?

Nope. I think it is great. But I still am uncomfortable discussing it outside of my little gaming cocoon. I keep my gaming hobby very compartmentalized and never discuss it at work or in non-gaming social circles. I think this is generational. Had an attorney I was meeting for coffee start to talk about his and his boyfriend's gaming hobby. Didn't bat an eye to learn he was gay. Was much more surprised to have someone out themselves as a geek in a professional context.

I've also noticed that geekdom isn't really relegated to any specific cliques in my sons' school. The jockey kids, the brainy kids, the theater kids, all like video games, superhero movies, and the gaming groups don't seem to be specific to any one group.

D&D just doesn't seem to have much of a stigma to folks in their 20s and younger.

I think its wonderful.

 

[darjr]

It is ... different. I love it. But sometimes I have to stop myself and giggle.

 

[Mercador]

Isn't this thread supposed to be discussing Paizo?

Yeah, not sure what happens. At first, I was trying to understand why I had/ve a grudge against Paizo.

 

[Acolyte of Zothique]

Yeah, not sure what happens. At first, I was trying to understand why I had/ve a grudge against Paizo.

Classic thread creep. You can roll with it or you can rage against the dying of the light.

 

[eyeheartawk]

Classic thread creep. You can roll with it or you can rage against the dying of the light.

Good poem.

Even better WFRP campaign.

 

[Mercador]

Classic thread creep. You can roll with it or you can rage against the dying of the light.

You'll have to explain it to me (I'm not an English guy)