D&D General Does D&D Have an Identity Crisis?

[the Jester]

Because it is a game where each group (and sometimes even each session) has its own tone, you shouldn't expect a consistent tone from the game.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)

I concentrate toward them that are nigh, I wait on the door-slab.

 

[Charlaquin]

Not sure my 12-year-old self would still be playing D&D if my mother walked in on me playing BG3 and seeing some beastiality or monsteriality. For him to explain to non-playing adults that there is a wide range of people and flavor in each game and group would be too big a hill.

I guess there is an audience for it, similar to other games like Grand Theft and such. Says something about the company that would put their name on it though.

What, that they don’t think sex is dirty and shameful?

 

[Hussar]

I think everything else in Star Wars trying to live up to Andor in terms of quality and commitment would be a very good thing indeed. I think we can sacrifice the Ewok movies and Jaxxon the rabbit for that.

But here’s the thing. Sure I love Andor. Thought it was fantastic. But eight year old me loves Ewoks. And would likely have hated Andor

Shouldn’t there be a Star Wars for everyone?

 

[humble minion]

I think it is worth noting that there isn't a very strong branding association with D&D for BG3. Certainly not to the degree the film had.

It’s only one small data point, but in the ‘looking for D&D game’ Facebook group that runs in my city, there’s been three or four posts in the last week by people looking to join a d&d game and talking about how playing BG3 was one of the reasons they wanted to try tabletop. By comparison, there were exactly zero people in the group who talked about the film as an inspiration for looking for a game, back when the film was in cinemas.

 

[MGibster]

Nobody cares that comic books go all over the map. D&D should be the same. Something for everybody.

But WotC won't do that. They won't touch Dark Sun with a 20 foot pole beacuse the contents of the game are too problematic for today's audience. The content I'm specifically talking about is psychic abilities of course. What else would I be referring to? There isn't much of a "go all over the map" when it comes to D&D discussions here at least.

 

[Umbran]

What, that they don’t think sex is dirty and shameful?

Between contenting sentient adults is one thing.
But with a bear?

 

[MGibster]

I think it is worth noting that there isn't a very strong branding association with D&D for BG3. Certainly not to the degree the film had.

I can't disagree more. Everything in BG 3 just screams D&D to me.

 

[payn]

But WotC won't do that. They won't touch Dark Sun with a 20 foot pole beacuse the contents of the game are too problematic for today's audience. The content I'm specifically talking about is psychic abilities of course. What else would I be referring to? There isn't much of a "go all over the map" when it comes to D&D discussions here at least.

I think that is a corner case. Drow in just about any setting are problematic too. That can be cleaned up. One point I do agree with you on is there is no strong base for D&D to work off of. No strong entry point to allow folks to venture out into other experiences. Though, make no mistake, folks like diversity in their D&D. Folks talk about a myriad of settings every day here and online.

 

[Reynard]

I can't disagree more. Everything in BG 3 just screams D&D to me.

I said "branding" for a reason. Thre is no huge D&D plastered on the (digital) box art. I bet there are people who plyed BG1 and BG2 that did not even realize they were playing a D&D game, and are equally uninterested in D&D but really want BG3. Conversely, HAT went above and beyond making sure you knew this was a D&D movie first and foremost.