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My hope? They have something not called DMG 2 (because that's confusing) but still aimed at intermediate and experienced DMs. Perhaps a topic for a separate thread would be what to add.

Growing up I only engaged with TSR products but soon rejected the style of game they pushed at the time. I don't think people adhere to the letter of the rules as much as you seem to think. Meanwhile, they need to start somewhere.

Maybe we just need to use a different term. I use open world to describe games like BG 3 or Cyberpunk 2077 where you have quite a bit of freedom to achieve goals but there's always an overarching story and, because of limitations of video games, predefined outcomes. In practice a DM can always...

A lot of video games claim to be sandboxes, by my definition of sandbox very few are. None of the ones I would consider sandboxes have any real overarching story because of the limitations that video games have. The Sims is a sandbox, open world games like BG 3 are not.

They chose the most common type of play and the one that's easiest for new DMs because this DMG is clearly aimed at people who haven't ever DMed and potentially haven't even played the game. Going into enough detail to support a style of play that is only used by a minority of people and that...

WotC is not going to send the Pinkertons to knock on your door if you decide to run something different last time I che...hold on I have to answer the door, it sounds important. :P

If I look at Curse of Strahd as an example, I actually found the sandbox elements of it kind of annoying. You know that eventually you're going to have a big showdown with Mr. Toothyface and at least with the DM that ran it for us the interactions we had didn't really change much. We had X...

I just think you overestimate how much people rely on the DMG when it comes to playing the game. Some people will always stick with linear modules because that's what they're comfortable with. Others will get tired of linear campaigns and, just like I did, just kind of naturally develop a...

I learned from OD&D which was significantly worse when it came to giving advice on how to run campaigns. You can't learn all DMing styles, nor can you learn what will work for you personally, from reading a book. You have to try out different things and learn from experience.

One of the big complaints about the 2014 DMG is that it seemed to be aimed at experienced DMs and it lacked clear advice. The 2024 DMG is aimed at new DMs, so it gives advice they believe a newbie DM should follow. Do you really think people care all that much about what the book says once...

I'm still looking forward to an RPG dictionary that clearly defines all of these terms. ;) Because it seems to me that some people think the only true sandbox is a hex crawl, or you put the PCs in a tavern and they have to figure out what to do and where to go. Other people would say that...

I was just pointing out that just about any decision they make gets criticized. 🤷‍♂️ No it will not lead the end of sandbox because if you're running a sandbox effectively you are already an experienced GM either running D&D or other systems and you don't need much advice. If you want ideas...

I think true sandboxes are a rare campaign style. I can't really describe my campaign as a sandbox because while it evolves as encounters are resolved one way or another and change direction based on player decisions, I do have broad directions and goals for the campaign. Those directions and...

BG3 did not "save" the company that was already publishing the most popular TTRPG ever. It was a fun video game and it certainly boosted their profits in a way that helped counterbalance the losses on the toy making side of the company. But "saved" them? Nah.

Nice idea, I doubt it's financially justifiable. While 4E could be relatively simple bring back, previous editions are more complicated to code than a lot of people think. The basic stuff wouldn't be that difficult but all the weird exceptions and overrides from the 3E days? Back in the day I...

I just find the phrase condescending. Say "It's not my favorite game" and I have no problem. But it's like a joke people tell that's not funny, it falls under the category of "If you have to explain it don't use it". It always sounds like "If you knew better you'd agree." It fails as a...

It's my favorite game and as far as I know it's the favorite TTRPG for all of my current players as well. For everyone I've ever played with? For a small percentage it wasn't their favorite. 🤷‍♂️ But do we really need to dredge this up again? I disagree with the statement and there's a...

I don't think anyone has said the game is for everyone, I don't think can't be. They're attempting to make it the best for the broadest audience, which means targeting a lot of casual players because that's where their market opportunity lies. Other companies are going for a narrower niche...

There are always going to be conflicting design goals. It's not a question about whether more or less design goals is inherently good or bad. It's about personal preferences and the fact that just because the more simplistic approach was taken that it's "lazy". There are a ton of significant...