What Do YOU Want The Future of TTRPGs To Look Like?

[John Dallman]

I'm pretty satisfied with the F2F and online play options available, and have no desire for VR gaming, because my sight problems would make it impractical.

What I mostly hope for is a reasonable supply of interesting ideas coming along, either from new games, or from within the player-base.

 

[The Firebird]

I'm most concerned with the increasing proliferation of VTTs and digital play aids. Don't get me wrong, I think its great that more people have the option to play. But its absolutely not for me. I've also seen board games in recent years that require an app or a screen to use; I also won't touch those. Anything that integrates VTT stuff into in-person games, like digital maps, worries me.

I run a lot of Adventurer's League games for the public, and I feel like new players aren't learning the mechanics because they're relying on D&D Beyond or the like to track everything.

I think there's a place for these tools, but they are growing faster and faster and I worry it will be hard for me to find a purely in person game in the future.

 

[Reynard]

I'm most concerned with the increasing proliferation of VTTs and digital play aids. Don't get me wrong, I think its great that more people have the option to play. But its absolutely not for me. I've also seen board games in recent years that require an app or a screen to use; I also won't touch those. Anything that integrates VTT stuff into in-person games, like digital maps, worries me.

I run a lot of Adventurer's League games for the public, and I feel like new players aren't learning the mechanics because they're relying on D&D Beyond or the like to track everything.

I think there's a place for these tools, but they are growing faster and faster and I worry it will be hard for me to find a purely in person game in the future.

This is sort of aside: accessibilty tools mean that a lot more casual players can enjoy the game(s). And that is great, but it can also be a pain because I think that TTRPGs are actually better when not so casual -- when people actually care about what has happened, is happening, and likely to happen in the game. That doesn't mean don't have accessibility tools, or don't invite casual people to play. But it might mean it is necessary to curate our fellow players to have folks with the same level of commitment and investment.

 

[The Firebird]

This is sort of aside: accessibilty tools mean that a lot more casual players can enjoy the game(s). And that is great, but it can also be a pain because I think that TTRPGs are actually better when not so casual -- when people actually care about what has happened, is happening, and likely to happen in the game. That doesn't mean don't have accessibility tools, or don't invite casual people to play. But it might mean it is necessary to curate our fellow players to have folks with the same level of commitment and investment.

I think what there should be a second look at low level public play. In 5e, they had a nice idea in making 1 & 2 tutorial levels so that new players would have less to juggle. But the way the hp scaling in particular works there you have massive power spikes between 1 and 4. The structure of AL makes it so that all Tier 1 players are at the same table. And so you have new players with level 1 characters at the same table as experienced ones with optimized level 4s. The new players die in one hit and struggle to do anything, while the experienced ones can output 5x as much damage.

It isn't fun.

 

[Reynard]

I think what there should be a second look at low level public play. In 5e, they had a nice idea in making 1 & 2 tutorial levels so that new players would have less to juggle. But the way the hp scaling in particular works there you have massive power spikes between 1 and 4. The structure of AL makes it so that all Tier 1 players are at the same table. And so you have new players with level 1 characters at the same table as experienced ones with optimized level 4s. The new players die in one hit and struggle to do anything, while the experienced ones can output 5x as much damage.

It isn't fun.

I don't do AL so I am a little lost on what you mean. Are you saying they group players together based on player level, or they group players together based on character level. If the latter, there must be experienced players with low level characters that can help out.

 

[The Firebird]

I don't do AL so I am a little lost on what you mean. Are you saying they group players together based on player level, or they group players together based on character level. If the latter, there must be experienced players with low level characters that can help out.

Currently, they group players together based on character level. There are experienced players, but frankly not everyone is as thoughtful as they could be and so the experienced ones often bring strong characters that make for a less fun experience.

 

[Reynard]

Currently, they group players together based on character level. There are experienced players, but frankly not everyone is as thoughtful as they could be and so the experienced ones often bring strong characters that make for a less fun experience.

Gotcha.

I don't want to stereotype, but I imagine there are some people that play AL because no other groups will put up with them.

 

[The Firebird]

Gotcha.

I don't want to stereotype, but I imagine there are some people that play AL because no other groups will put up with them.

You're absolutely right about that.

I like public games because you get this community vibe that home games lack. You meet a lot of new people, get to try new things.

But being part of a community means putting up with people you'd rather avoid.

 

[Reynard]

You're absolutely right about that.

I like public games because you get this community vibe that home games lack. You meet a lot of new people, get to try new things.

But being part of a community means putting up with people you'd rather avoid.

I run a lot of games at convention and I am generally very lucky with players that sign up. But sometimes...

 

[payn]

You're absolutely right about that.

I like public games because you get this community vibe that home games lack. You meet a lot of new people, get to try new things.

But being part of a community means putting up with people you'd rather avoid.

I run a lot of games at convention and I am generally very lucky with players that sign up. But sometimes...

I used to hit up some local Pathfinder Society play about 15 years ago (man time flies). I enjoyed the variety of playstyles and community aspect. It wasnt the ideal game or group situation, but I did meet some excellent folks that turned out to be of good group material and lasting friendship. There were, of course, those folks nobody could stand. I wouldnt say organized play is their refuge though. Organized play is a true mix of individuals and that can be its own enjoyable aspect.