Dragon/Dungeon cancellation: The industry reacts (New Monte Cook commentary)

[DM-Rocco]

Yep, don't agree with the "magic fountains are so done" thing either. All it needs is a new twist. Besides, even if magic fountains and chess puzzles are old hat for you and I, they're new for some people out there - I notice that one turned up in a Harry Potter book, for instance. Here's a thought to chew on - most of D&D's strengths are cliches.

May as well say that Fedex Quests are done, or Plot Tokens are done, and they're staples of CRPGs that keep people engaged still. It's not like paper and pencil D&D can look down it's nose at such devices, because it's hardly a paragon of good design - empty rooms in published modules, and room after room of naught but melee is testament to that.

If you ever look at the writing guidelines for Dungeon, Dragon or even their book department, the first thing they say is, don't use the Lady in destress taken by a dragon. Of course, Dungeon #1 had that very adventure when Flame was introduced. You are right. It is good that WOTC tries to push the envelope and force people to think of new twists on things, but a lot of D&D strengths are staples and cliches from the past.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

If you ever look at the writing guidelines for Dungeon, Dragon or even their book department, the first thing they say is, don't use the Lady in destress taken by a dragon. Of course, Dungeon #1 had that very adventure when Flame was introduced. You are right. It is good that WOTC tries to push the envelope and force people to think of new twists on things, but a lot of D&D strengths are staples and cliches from the past.

And after they published that adventure, they received thousands of queries proposing that exact same plot. The problem isn't doing the cliches well once or twice, it's when no one wants to do anything else.

Monte's not saying "no, no random fountains EVAR!" (I think there might even be a reference or two to them in Ptolus, unless my memory is playing tricks on me.) He's saying "been there, a few hundred times, fountained out, thanks."

If anyone doesn't have something in D&D that they're burned out on, they need to play more.

 

[the black knight]

The bottom line is that if you work for Wizards (or hope to again), you'll trumpet the decision as progress. If you're done with Wotc, you see it for the stupud business decision that it is.

 

[Maggan]

The bottom line is that if you work for Wizards (or hope to again), you'll trumpet the decision as progress. If you're done with Wotc, you see it for the stupud business decision that it is.

What, are we still talking about Magic fountains?

/M

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

What, are we still talking about Magic fountains?

"The business was going great until we stopped with our line of magic fountains! Who knew that was the cornerstone of the company?"

 

[Monte At Home]

He didn't say that no one was allowed to have magical fountains, he expressed a personal opinion that they were stupid.

Which, in fact, is why I wrote in that very post: "Some of what we miss can't necessarily be fully recaptured, but it's also true that it should be preserved for those who actually are new to the game. In other words, while old and jaded players may think that magic fountains are boring, a new player won't."

 

[Treebore]

Which, in fact, is why I wrote in that very post: "Some of what we miss can't necessarily be fully recaptured, but it's also true that it should be preserved for those who actually are new to the game. In other words, while old and jaded players may think that magic fountains are boring, a new player won't."

Very, very true, as I learn this over and over again running games for my kids.

 

[Darkness]

Gary Gygax: You know who he is

This link doesn't work. Here's a functioning version:

Gary Gygax

 

[Glyfair]

Added another comment by Monte (about his last contribution to Dragon) quoted below.

I just finished and sent off a short article for Dragon's final issue, and thinking about it that was has me a bit down.

I also realize that it was likely my last opportunity to contribute to the D&D world in any kind of an official way. I should have taken something that I had created for the IP of the game and done something with it. Like genasi. Or the Serpent, Creation Once Spoken, and the Last Word used by Tenebrous. Or maybe something even more obscure, like the Temple of the Captive God. Or a million other little bits like that. Or just stuff exclusive to that sandbox, like mind flayers or beholders.

Ah well. Too many articles, and decidedly not enough time.