I would posit that the game requires at least one non-casual player for it to work, at least in its current incarnation. The DM has to put in time and effort that the casual gamer would not, and I think has to "care" about it in a more-than-casual way.
If a D&D version existed that could be...
And speaking of moderating ... a huge thank you to all of our moderators, past and present. If you are currently serving, or are a Moderatus Alumnus, please report in so we can hurl things at you give you the recognition you deserve!
You know, I hesitate to call out just one more community member (because there are so many who play such a big role here) but ... Piratecat has been around since the beginning and has been such an integral part of the tone here, and the Story Hour forum, and moderating and stuff ... a big thank...
I voted Serious but I think I have traits from both Serious and Hardcore. I don't play weekly - that's way too much for me. But I am ruminating on my game almost all the time except at work, on some level.
Hey! A few months ago I pointed out that our community was reaching a major milestone. And then, uh, I completely forgot to follow up. Oopsie!
http://www.enworld.org/forum/meta/255189-10-years-enw.html
Ten years ago this month, I started the Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D Third Edition News...
Computer games?
I think even the easiest, "lite-est" pen and paper RPG has a pretty big entry barrier that computer games don't have. The guy who might have climbed over that barrier in the 70s when there weren't a lot of computer games (especially at home) might just walk away from that were...
I thought you were going to be talking about the 4E "roles" like defender, striker, lurker, baker, candlestick maker, etc. And I was gonna agree with you. Sometimes Paladin Boy just wants to toss a fireball! Is that so wrong??
It was one of those settings I bought and drooled over but never had a chance to play except as a one-shot. I had no issues with the power creep or the psionics or any of that stuff. I thought the character trees were a very weird idea, though.