Anyone else think 4th Ed is to combat WoW?

[Jack99]

well lets look at it like this, WOW takes alot from d&d. Why it has been so successful is that it gives a similar feeling to d&d, but without direct social interaction and probably less work to maintian. many many people that could play d&d or even want to play d&d are limited to WOW because they may not know anyone else who also plays d&d or cant travel, are lazy ect..

WOW is digging hard into the profits of d&d. I don't think blizard is actively doing this or even intended to do this.

d&d is the life blood of fantasy games (or was), even if its not as popular as wow, it empowers it.

So game systems aside, d&d will be alot like WOW in that you can hook up with people on the internet and play a fantasy game together. I don't know about the game system itself. I think it will be stream lined for online play, but i dont know how much it will be like WOW.

Those are some awefully strong statements, care to back them up with some hard evidence?

 

[darkseraphim]

It's a natural evolution, as D&D becomes more videogame-like, that it should no longer innovate and should instead mirror what's successful. Live by the sword, die by the sword.

 

[Dyne]

I believe it was Bill Slaviscek that specifically said 4e and D&D Insider were put together to attract WoW players. Seems pretty plain and obvious to me, and it seems silly that people take offense over it.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It's a natural evolution, as D&D becomes more videogame-like, that it should no longer innovate and should instead mirror what's successful. Live by the sword, die by the sword.

Yes, because there are no innovations in game play in any video games.

5E will be all about characters scooping up coins in a dungeon maze while chased by incorporeal undead.

 

[Branduil]

What does DPS stand for?

 

[WhatGravitas]

What does DPS stand for?

Damage per second.

In D&D-terms it'd be damage per round or "Mash-mash-barbarian"

Cheers, LT.

 

[Vradna]

I agree with ReeboKesh's observations.

And I am also quite insulted by the Youtube videos heralding in 4th Edition. Come on Wizards of the Coast: It is disappointing to watch your own R&D guys screwing their noses up at the same 3rd/3.5 rules they themselves implemented; it shows a lack of audience empathy and only an interest in making a buck.

A game that has evolved into a facsimile of something else does not score points for originality or practiality.

Shame on you.

 

[jefgorbach]

Well, D&D will always have the advantage over video games in that no game can touch the flexibility or on-the-fly creativity of a good DM.

True, however obviously 4e seeks to reduce those critical aspects by effectively eliminating the ability to house-rule if you wish to use the online generator/features. At least I havent seen anything mentioned in the forums/press releases about being able to customize the online features for your personal desires - and honestly, how could it if WOTC wishes to maintain a unified playing field for the online games?

 

[Jhaelen]

Combat WoW ? No.

Take advantage of WoW by creating a game that has a familiar style and feel to MMORPG's? Oh hell yes.

Exactly. Copying the incredibly successful WoW approach to make money is every manager's wet dream around the world. Even those that are in a completely different business are thinking hard about how to achieve a similar effect.

It's like the saying: 'Billions of flies cannot be wrong. Eat excrements!". If you don't like the direction D&D is going, here's what you can do: Stop playing it or stick with the current edition. There are still enough alternatives; many RPG systems having a very different focus.

Personally, I'll have a look at 4th edition and if I like it, I'll use it in my next campaign. But it's extremely unlikely that I will subscribe to D&D Insider. Should I discover, that contrary to the current statements, the game cannot be run smoothly without D&D Insider, I'll start a campaign for Ars Magica, WoD, Earthdawn or DSA. It's as simple as that.

 

[teitan]

I think 3e was rushed, in order to save the franchise. 3.5 didn't fix everything. I hope 4e finally fixes things.

I don't think MMOs can replace DnD. There's just less interaction with other gamers.

3e was hardly rushed. It was started BEFORE WotC bought TSR!!!