Unpopular opinions go here

[Thomas Shey]

Then you've just funned all the game out instead.

Eh. You don't have to have the fun in trying to out-optimize builds. It can be the in-play tactics (and planning the build for the tactics you're actually going to use) rather than having to work just to get something about as functional as the guy next to you.

 

[Reynard]

I still think you're underestimating how long ago that was already a thing. Even by the 80's any idea of a really common language of games outside of D&D was gone.

I think for a long time it was assumed that you couldn't just come up with a unique concept and unique setting, you had to come up with a unique system. And that gave us the 80s and 90s, where systems were largely untested messes of die pools and prayers. Thankfully, the last couple decades have embraced open systems and house systems in such a way that you rarely see a 90s style mathbomination these days.

 

[Thomas Shey]

I think for a long time it was assumed that you couldn't just come up with a unique concept and unique setting, you had to come up with a unique system. And that gave us the 80s and 90s, where systems were largely untested messes of die pools and prayers. Thankfully, the last couple decades have embraced open systems and house systems in such a way that you rarely see a 90s style mathbomination these days.

They're still out there. They're just less common among things you're liable to see in print and with a company name attached to them anyone's heard of.

(Of course in some cases its sincere attempts to do something creative going onto the rocks of not understanding probability well enough to foresee the consequences of what you've done. That said, hard to beat things like the Storyteller 1e categorical error).

 

[Jd Smith1]

The more video game like VTT play gets, the less I am interested in it. I don't need sound effects, animated spell attacks, or similar. I think dynamic lighting is useful but can be over emphasized. I do think automation on rolls is useful and can open up more complexity in game design since the computer is crunching the numbers.

You're not the target audience. They are hoping to tap into the vast herds of MMO and video gamers who stretch across the prairie as far as the eye can see. Online gaming, VTT platforms, headset banter with strangers...all tap into the video gamer comfort zone.

I believe we are seeing the beginning of a major shift in the RPG world. WotC is certainly putting money into the online venue.

 

[MGibster]

I believe we are seeing the beginning of a major shift in the RPG world. WotC is certainly putting money into the online venue.

I actually agree here. I think WotC is going to do their best to make sure their customers are recurrent spenders, much in the same way video game companies like EA have been treating their customers for the last decade or so. It's going to be interesting to see how the sale of D&D as a product changes over the next few years. I don't believe it'll be good for the customer.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

LoL. When I speak about local burger joints, I am talking about far smaller localized operations. Not $15-20 artisanal burgers like at Eureka! More like $2.80 mom and pop burgers. It's definitely fast food.

If you have hole in wall spots where the food is literally cheaper than most made on-site gas station food, that tastes as good as In-N-Out, you live in a truly blessed realm.

Most people aren’t thinking about Eureka or The Habit when they say local burger joint, they’re talking about places that everyone in town knows but there is just the one location owned and operated by one family. And most of them are at least 7-9 bucks for a burger, with specialty stuff like pepperoni, pastrami burgers, Ortega burgers, etc, sitting around 10-12 bucks or more.

When I go to Zorbas or Carla’s on North Chester in Bakersfield, or the Burger Hut on 18th (IIRC) downtown, or Leo’s south of downtown, I’m not getting a $3 burgersżg

 

[Aldarc]

If you have hole in wall spots where the food is literally cheaper than most made on-site gas station food, that tastes as good as In-N-Out, you live in a truly blessed realm.

I live in Vienna, Austria, but I am from small town Western North Carolina.

Most people aren’t thinking about Eureka or The Habit when they say local burger joint, they’re talking about places that everyone in town knows but there is just the one location owned and operated by one family. And most of them are at least 7-9 bucks for a burger, with specialty stuff like pepperoni, pastrami burgers, Ortega burgers, etc, sitting around 10-12 bucks or more.

When I go to Zorbas or Carla’s on North Chester in Bakersfield, or the Burger Hut on 18th (IIRC) downtown, or Leo’s south of downtown, I’m not getting a $3 burgersżg

The bold applies to the place pictured. But it's not exactly a hole-in-the-wall spot when it's in the middle of downtown on the main street.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Wait, is Eureka is a chain now? I've literally eaten at the Eureka Burger on Eureka Street. Are they franchising out overpriced fancy burgers with ill-advised toppings?

 

[Aldarc]

Wait, is Eureka is a chain now? I've literally eaten at the Eureka Burger on Eureka Street. Are they franchising out overpriced fancy burgers with ill-advised toppings?

Mainly in California.

 

[TheSword]

I still think you're underestimating how long ago that was already a thing. Even by the 80's any idea of a really common language of games outside of D&D was gone.

We don’t need a single common language. I just think writing for 10-15 or so main games would be more successful than writing for a thousand. The issue of editions compounds the problem. It doesn’t matter if this is an eternal problem or a recent one. Still a problem.