D&D is now in (exceedingly awesome) commercial form

[Cor_Malek]

Well whether it'll be a successful strategy, or not - it's clear that this ad is aimed at old-timers. Whether to just have them buy it as a present to a kid, or whether they count on people buying it out of sentiment and get them to swallow the hook for Essentials... We'll see. It has "come look at what we've done with 4e" all over it.

But Ye Gods, I really hope that's not all they've got. That they'll release advertisements that will have some chance of attracting people that haven't played RPG's.

And does anyone know what's the background track? Absolutely Brütal.

 

[steeldragons]

This is a commercial?....like...for television?...like, for television...today?
...um...seriously?

You're telling me someone (multiple people, no doubt) got PAID to create that? Concept? Production? "Effects" (if they could loosely even be called that in today's day and age)?

Really?!?

Are we sure this isn't just some kid's class project that they just posted on Youtube?

...not to mention, I didn't realize they never even bothered to change the art on the new red box cover from cover art from the 80's?

Again, seriously?

I'm appalled.

I think everyone needs to sit down, have a calming cup of whatever calms you, and rethink their definition of "exceedingly awesome."

 

[Piratecat]

Nope. I love it. Really fun, definitely eye catching, and designed to bring back the old player. Win.

 

[TerraDave]

Its been adapted...the source (and the long version!)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUOSsQlV2Qw&feature=related]YouTube - D&D World of Adventure[/ame]

 

[jonesy]

Its been adapted...the source (and the long version!)

Oh, it's by Dungeon Majesty. That explains the concept.

I'd still like to know if it's a real advert, or just a fan work.

 

[Stormonu]

Its been adapted...the source (and the long version!)

YouTube - D&D World of Adventure

I knew I'd seen it before (well, more like heard it - the music was REAL familiar) and was about to go hunt it down. Wasn't that the winner of a contest WotC held a few years back where they had folks submit "What D&D means to you" videos?

 

[TerraDave]

The you tube mentions a 2006 contest, though I didn't think it was that long ago.

 

[Argyle King]

It seems like it would be a pretty cool intro into some sort of show or cartoon. I like it a lot, but it seems like it should lead into something else.

 

[IronWolf]

This is a commercial?....like...for television?...like, for television...today?
...um...seriously?

I believe this was the hulu ad? Not sure this one would or will be on television. Some folks at rpg.net do report seeing it on hulu though as an ad.

 

[Mark CMG]

Its been adapted...the source (and the long version!)

That one is fun. The other doesn't move me to buy the new box. They both remind me that I have plenty of AD&D books and materials (and the ability to get more on eBay) if I want that experience again. I only see people who already play current D&D suggesting this ad works to bring in lapsed players but I also see non-adopters of the current rules saying otherwise. This marketing trend suggests that those who are part of the retro-gaming movement are large enough market share to warrant a television ad, and I don't think there have been many television ads over the years. We'll see what comes of it.