JeDiWiker said:
So, while ideas, mechanics, and, naming conventions from other games may be brilliant bits of game design, when they appear in D&D, I'm reminded of those other games. (In fact, I recall using the expressions "tap" and "untap" during our demo game, and at one point saying "F4" and miming pressing a button on my keyboard when activating one of my character's "at will" powers.)
I'm not on any bandwagon to jump on your back, in fact, I've lurked this thread because I didn't really draw the same 'anti-anything' conclusions that other posters drew from your blog, but I would like to know a little more about this part of your post.
You miming pressing 'F4' sounds like you're jaded by your video game experience, and can't see how the innovations (or borrowing, whatever) of 4E might be a really *great* thing for the game. That's just one interpretation anyway.
I've had players at my table that correlated every plot, character or scene with a movie, or a book, or a meme, and were too often interested in metathinking the whole game, and then wanting to discuss the similarities. I'm not saying you're anything like this, just pointing out how your comment reminds me of this one player. His interaction with my game at my table was indicative that he was a 'casual roleplayer'.
You would get a very stern look from me, if you did that at my table. Maybe once is funny, but more often would show disinterest. To which, I would encourage you (for both our sakes) to find a more interesting group or activity. Because frankly, you're wrecking it for me.
Sure, I can agree that big name stars would have changed the feel of LotR for some, but there were other actors in that movie which I did recognize. Guess what? It didn't wreck it for me, because I *wanted* to be entertained. I remember once (only once) an uncle in my family dressed up as Santa. I was pretty little, and after the novelty wore off, I realized it was my uncle. But it was still a lot of fun to pretend it wasn't.
It's clear to me that 4E is trying to move into a more pulpy sort of theme with D&D, and realizes that players are more interested in pretending that there characters are facing hoards of foes and swinging from chandaliers, than they are managing their wealth level, or dealing with the artificial 'daily recharge' pacing which we found in 3.x. I think that's a good thing. If I wanted to spend time tabulating wealth level, I'll do that at tax time, not at the game table.
From a story telling perspective, 4E introduces a clever design element that will be very good in assisting DM's in creating enjoyable adventures. I've seen less of the actual game than you, but from what I've read, 4E is training the DM to look at gameplay as scenes in a movie. While the 'artificiality' of a 'coffee break' mechanic may seem absurd to some, from a story telling perspective, it's awesome. After a combat, saying you 'catch your breath' is all that is necessary to link the previous scene to the next set of activities. Really needing to know what happened in that five minutes takes you down the same avenue of metathinking as the eternal question of a bygone era - 'Why did none of the old school maps have bathrooms'? The best answer is always 'Who cares' were not going to roleplay that!
Sorry for the rant man. I think you're great, but I'm wondering if you (and others in this forum) just gotta loosen your grip a little on this whole thing.
