But what if I LIKE Anime/Video-game tropes in my D&D?

[Dannyalcatraz]

Its non-videogamey in the sense that, as far as I can tell, its a rare game that actually uses it these days.

FF1 may have used it, but precious few today would. Instead, casters in the vast majority of games have power points or per-encounter limitations...and in some games, those are circumvented with powerups.

 

[WayneLigon]

And while it's picked up in comic books, it's still not a favored genre with fans.

Bookstores have huge sections devoted to manga while they have much smaller sections devoted to regular comics and graphic novels; right now, manga is vastly more popular with the under-25 age group than anything DC or Marvel makes. Manga sales in the USA are as high as $200 million per year after being on the big chain radar for only about four or five years; non-manga graphic novels for all companies combined hit $330 million last year. That's not 'a small niche' but a rapidly growing market.

It's not a huge hit with the traditional fans of the DC/Marvel/Image crowd, but it is a hit with the vast numbers of customers the traditional comics companies have never been able to attract and still can't. If I thought that by adding more anime tropes and styles that D&D could achieve that kind of new customer acquisition, I'd say 'go for it'.

 

[The Little Raven]

Its non-videogamey in the sense that, as far as I can tell, its a rare game that actually uses it these days.

It's not in most games because it's a poor system for power and resource management compared to things like spell points (mana pools, etc) or per-encounter balancing. It's the same reason that D&D is moving away from it.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

It's not in most games because it's a poor system for power and resource management compared to things like spell points (mana pools, etc) or per-encounter balancing.

I disagree, at least in part.

IMHO, its a great system for resource management and balancing, but a poor system for power (and that's not a bad thing).

 

[Incenjucar]

I disagree, at least in part.

IMHO, its a great system for resource management and balancing, but a poor system for power (and that's not a bad thing).

Only when you can't sleep.

Have you ever actually played CRPGs with Vancian magic?

You hit that little Rest button more than you hit the Stealth button unless you want to hit the "Load Game" button just as often.

 

[Rechan]

I can't think of any game where there is a "Per Encounter" ability. Even if, in an MMO, there's a n ability that takes a minute or two to come back, that can still come back within the scope of a fight - especially a boss fights. Boss fights in MMOs can take 45 minutes or more.

 

[Dr. Prunesquallor]

In short, anyone HAPPY about the move to add some anime and videogame elements into the old horse that is D&D?

For myself, no. "Golden Blah Blah" reaches toward an Exalted flavor that rubs me the wrong way. Might as well name it "Way of the Earnest Creditor," or "Irresistible Succubus Style." But, like Henry, I'm happy you're happy. 4e, for me, is another option. If, for you, it is THE OPTION, that's all good.

I would say, as someone who's Narutard enough to read scanlations, lurves teh FF, and pretty much enjoys anime in general, don't deny yourself Howard or Leiber. Or Vance, or Eddison, or Anderson, or Merrit, or Bellairs, or Wagner for that matter. Go down to the local library the next time you have a two hour plus flight coming up and check out "Conan the ...." Whatever it's called, as long as it's Howard. You'll probably finish it before the flight is over.

I'm not saying you'll learn about REAL FANTASY (TM). I just think you'll get a kick out of it. Howard reads light and quick.

That said, pace Mourn, I think Howard is right up there with the anonymous authors of Beowulf and Gilgamesh. He's not just boobs, butts, and blood. The question posed by Howard is: "You're gonna die. And, like as not, no one will remember you when you're gone. So, what will you do with the time given to you?"

And, to second WayneLigon's point: for every Borders or Barnes&Noble I've been in over the last 4 years in Tennessee, Texas, or California, there's been a full manga aisle for every DC/Marvel shelf (And for every D&D shelf). I don't think it necessarily translates to 4e, which I feel is trying to kill Exalted and take its stuff, but if 4e does grab manga fans, I would expect it to pull serious dough.

 

[Rechan]

General question.

There's an assumption in this thread that, likely, Manga/Anime = $$$$

Anyone know how well Big Eyes, Small Mouth the RPG sold?

How about BESM d20?

Or Exalted, with all its Anime inspiration and art?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Anyone know how well Big Eyes, Small Mouth the RPG sold?

How about BESM d20?

Or Exalted, with all its Anime inspiration and art?

If you look at the factors that make a business venture successful, certain things stand out.

For instance, the #1 factor in being successful is getting to the market first with the product (yes, there are other factors, but this one is the strongest). Being first to market gets you the first stream of income and continuing name recognition.

In the RPG world, that position is held by D&D.

Other RPGs have sprung up to capture their segment of the hobby, but if D&D decided to move into the field (assuming its closely related enough to make that plausible), its an instant contender.

The anime-themed games aren't huge sellers, but they're growing in popularity & respect, in step with the increasing market share their source material manga and anime is growing. (For example, I've been frequenting Lone Star Comics in Irving, TX since its opening 20 years ago- once devoid of either, manga and manga themed products take up about 10% of the store. Not much, but visible.) And that appeal isn't growing just among RPG hobbyists- that is in consumers of all kinds, esp. Gen Y & even mainstream consumers.

With D&D copping some of that vibe, its hoping to tap into that growing wave of popularity. And with its instant name recognition, a D&D edition with anime themes could indeed represent a huge change in the acceptance & profitability of the game in general.

Which is a good thing...up to the point whereby it may be percieved to have lost its essential identity by the legions of people who "made" the game in the first place.

 

[The Little Raven]

Or Exalted, with all its Anime inspiration and art?

Exalted roughly matches sales with Vampire.