D&D 5E D&D Next will succeed or die on the basis of its digital apps.

[Psyga315]

I know I need a few digital aids to help me through with playing an RPG game, though they're mostly just Word (to keep track of the events), a web dice roller (to roll dice), Notepad (to keep track of health and other stats that are depletable), and GIMP (to see where everyone is and to maintain character sheets).

So in other words, pretty normal programs repurposed as tools for RPGs.

 

[timASW]

I suspect I will take more than a little flak for this, but from my perspective D&D Next will live or die on the basis of its digital apps (particularly iOS and Android).
Why?

1. A good digital aide will smooth the transition for new players and those like me who are hanging on to previous editions.
2. D&D Next purports to offer a simple game with Core Rules, or rapid integration with more specialized rulesets, maybe even older rulesets. I digital aide would help players and DM's handle this integration from game to game or even within a single session.
3. The 3rd edition and 4th edition digital aides were lousy, particularly at launch time. It was discouraging for new and experienced players. If D&D Next's aide works will at the editions launch... Boo ya!!!
4. I loved the books--particularly the 3.0-3.5 Forgotten Realms books. But dear sweet beejeebies what a pain to bring them to a session! D+D Insider's lack of mobile platform support (iOS, Android, mobile web) meant a laptop with wifi was needed. I love laptops, but they detract from group interactions.
5. Slickness---just think how sweet it would be to have players using their smartphones, DM on a pad all connected (wifi or cell). DM keeping track of initiative, and pushing out conditions, bonuses, penalties to the players.

And that's the short list. I know that I should be more concerned with the rules, but to me this edition will sink or swim on its digital aide.

One last item---a great digital aide could crossover to PC/Console games. There is a reason I am playing Baldur's Gate in my iPad!

I've said something similar before. Completely agree. Digital tools are the future of gaming. Pathfinder has been slowly realizing this and put a couple of pretty good android friendly apps. WoTC needs to follow suit.

 

[mach1.9pants]

Paizo seem to have done pretty well without releasing digital aids, tho because it is OGL others can (and do) release them for PF

 

[timASW]

Paizo seem to have done pretty well without releasing digital aids, tho because it is OGL others can (and do) release them for PF

Just off my phone right at this moment pathfinder released Icrit and their spell compendium as android friendly apps. There's probably more.

 

[mach1.9pants]

Didn't realize that, live and learn

 

[Stormonu]

For me, 5E PDFs are a must. Digital aides are always appreciated, but if the game is so complex you feel like you need them (3E/PF and 4E), I don't want the game.

 

[Dannager]

Paizo seem to have done pretty well without releasing digital aids, tho because it is OGL others can (and do) release them for PF

Paizo is also actively developing (and is in internal beta for) their own in-house-developed digital tabletop app. It's expected to enter external beta within the next few weeks, though it's been pushed back a few times already.

It's just really hard to be a game company - of any stripe - and not see the necessity of adapting to the growing ubiquity of networked digital devices.

I've said this before: WotC changed things when they decided to heavily invest in the development of a (fairly comprehensive) suite of digital aids for 4e - and actually succeeded, at least to a significant extent. I just don't see going back as a possibility.

 

[Dice4Hire]

A feature-complete character sheet mobile application for iOS/Windows 8/Android capable of tracking changes to your character over the course of gameplay would really be an excellent start.

I get that you love digital stuff, but I am not one who does, not at the table. Paper, pencils and dice are great.

I have had players who tried to use digital stuff at the table and it has not worked out well.

Using stuff outside the game is great though, especially for a DM.

 

[sabrinathecat]

It will live or die based on whether or not they bother to print modules/adventures. That was one of the biggest failings of 4E. Are there a full 20 published adventures? 25? I doubt if they made 30. That's a joke. We need mods, regardless of edition.

 

[Dannager]

I get that you love digital stuff, but I am not one who does, not at the table. Paper, pencils and dice are great.

They are great, sure. Digital aids have the potential to be much, much better.

I have had players who tried to use digital stuff at the table and it has not worked out well.

I've had the opposite experience, both as a DM and as a player (and as a DM whose players use digital tools). While I won't deny that digital tools can require that you stay wary of distractions, it's also plain to me that - used properly - digital tools can improve the experience, including during play. And this holds true even with our current level of tool development (which, frankly, is still nowhere near where it could be even with today's tech). These tools are only going to improve over time.