Essentials and the future of D&D

[cavalier973]

....which has been around since 2e, at least.

Well, there you go. My only experience with D&D before 4e was through computer games, which apparently dropped prestidigitation as something which could not be practically implemented in a CRPG. When 4e came out, I actually bought the Role-playing starter kit, then the core books.

 

[Dausuul]

I would hope NW does a better job on lowering the barrier to entry.

Indeed. Here's what I think would be needed to turn NWN into a true virtual tabletop:

• Drag-and-drop level design; think of it as "virtual dungeon tiles." Have a bunch of pregenerated rooms and terrain elements that you can quickly slap together into an encounter map. Also include a tile editor so advanced users can make their own.
• A big library of drag-and-drop traps and interactive elements, all with built-in scripted triggers. Again, include an editor to make your own.
• Auto encounter builder. Allow the DM to specify a level and a "tribe," and automatically spit out a suitable encounter. For instance, you could say, "I want a level 7 encounter from the Orc tribe," and you'll get a 7th-level encounter made up of orcs and associated monsters. And, once more, include the ability to make custom tribes.
• Built-in video conferencing. Audio chat is all very well, but there's nothing like being able to see the faces of the folks you're gaming with.
• A set of RTS-style combat controls for the DM. I know this one is gonna be controversial, but let's face it, NWN is going to be real-time and there will be a lot of demand to have real-time combat at the gaming table. The DM can't hope to control a whole gang of monsters (especially if it includes minions) with the same level of precision as a single PC; the RTS genre has come up with a lot of clever ideas to streamline the process of controlling multiple combatants in real time, so plunder them.
• The ability to specify an automatic pause every six seconds of combat, simulating turn-based play for old-school gamers who want no truck with this newfangled real-time stuff.
• A super-streamlined interface for having the DM call for skill checks, for individual PCs or for the entire party. Bonus points if there's an option to make the skill check secret (e.g., Perception check to see if anyone notices a secret door).
• House rule support is bound to be limited--there's no way a computer game could accommodate the huge variety of house rules that tabletop DMs come up with--but make things customizable as much as possible. At the very least, it should be possible to build custom monsters and magic items; new races, paragon paths, feats, and powers should also be possible within reasonable limits (you probably won't be able to come up with a totally new power, but you could take existing powers and alter damage type, area of effect, range, level, whether it's at-will/encounter/daily, et cetera). New classes, well, that's probably beyond the scope of any computer game.

 

[athos]

** Climbs up onto soapbox **

Now that WotC has dumbed the game down, it is only a matter of time before D&D is a video game. The sad thing is, it won't even be as good as WoW.

What makes RPGs more fun for me, over video games, is the creativity and customization the DM puts into the game. When my character does something that actually makes an impact on the world around him, that is just the best feeling ever. You are truly part of the game then.

The other thing I like is when a real life friend's character is in need, you help them, just like you would help your friend. In a video game, when you play with strangers, you see people do all kinds of rude things that they wouldn't have the guts to do in real life. The loss of manners and the lack of friends, makes video games a lot less fun than table top for me.

Eventually, there will be enough writers, software developers and producers working on a game where your "toon" actually can make changes to the world around it. This feeling of power and influence which makes RPGs so fun, is going to be addictive to people. To me, that will be scary, because when a game gets to that level, how are people not going to get sucked into it. I mean, people play WoW for 40+ hours a week now. And that is just following a script or going and killing something.

I know that games and computers will eventually replace most table top RPGs, but some mean old bastards like myself, will still be rolling the dice 20 years from now, cursing those 1's and laughing hysterically when we crit. Will still probably be playing 3.5 or 2nd edition D&D, and laughing at the people spending all their money on 6.5. We will drink our beer or wine, talk to our friends face-to-face, and be regarded as luddites.

Oh well, such is progress...

** climbs down off soapbox looking sad **

Piratecat here. I'm an admin, although you might know that since you've been around since '05. Let's see what problems we have here.

- Trying to start an edition war argument? Check.
- "Dumbed down" insulting comment? Check.
- Video game comparison? Check.
- Derogatory reference to WoW? Check.
- Insinuation that people who aren't playing your edition aren't playing D&D, and can't make friends? Check.

And you know, these sort of stick in our craw.

I don't care what edition you're playing so long as you're having fun. I personally play 3.5, 4e, and about a half dozen other systems on a regular basis. But to have the temerity to declare that other people couldn't possibly be having fun, and that their style of the game is wrong, is nothing but sheer obnoxious hubris. Cut it out. Play the edition or the game you love, come here and talk about all the cool things you're doing, and when possible steal good stuff from other peoples' threads. Other folks will be doing that to you, too. But don't come here and doom-cry, wailing and lamenting in an attempt to start an argument. We don't want to hear it.

If this is in the least bit unclear, feel free to PM me.

~ PCat

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

2012 - International terrorist organization declares D&D to be symbolic of all evil. FLGSs around the world (all five remaining stores) are attacked by suicide bombers who cry "OD&D is the one true game!"

2013 - D&D experiences a huge surge in sales as playing becomes one's patriotic duty.

2014 - Capitalizing on its new success, WotC announces the release of 5e. Intelligence agencies report a huge uptick in chatter on RPG terrorist message boards, especially cvrcvsmaximvs.

2015 - Revalations that Hasbro bankrolled the international terrorist organization responsible for the intial attacks. Hasbro executives are brought up on charges of crimes against humanity (it is unclear whether the crimes are the attacks themselves, or the coercion of people into playing RPGs).

2016 - Hasbro executives win the International Marketing Campaign of the Decade award.


2017 - Upon his swearing in, World President Steve Jobs pardons Hasbro execs in exchange for full Mac support on DDI.

 

[Aeolius]

This seemed like a good place to update my iGamer rant.

For your consideration, the iGamer suite of apps for the ipad/iPhone/iPod Touch:

The first app is “My Monster Manual”. You begin with a database of thousands of entries. Next, you choose which monsters you wish to have in your book. Illustrations, information regarding monster ecologies, world-specific information, and player character racial traits may be included if desired. Then, simply select “Order” and your Monster Manual is either printed and shipped to your door, or compiled in ePub format and delivered through e-mail.

Next, using the videoconferencing engine from FaceTime, we present “Dungeon Crawl”, the Virtual Tabletop for the rest of us. Dungeon Crawl presents a real-time three-dimensional interface, where your virtual miniature avatar or Minitar, is placed in a virtual world of the creator’s design. Dungeon Crawl is compatible with landscapes designed in Bryce, Vue, and associated rendering engines. Minitars may be imported from a host of compatible applications such as Poser and DAZ Studio and may be exported as avatars for use in Second Life. Dungeon Crawl has been optimized for use with Vuzix Augmented-Reality glasses and Emotiv Epoc neuroheadsets.

For those who wish to mix elements from their Dungeon Crawl sessions with their face-to-face campaigns, Minitar data may be exported into a proprietary format, for use with 3D molding technology featured in Desktop Factory. Minitars are then molded in plastic and shipped to your door.

Using the iBooks app, electronic files of out-of-print gaming books from Wizards of the Coast and participating third-party publishers, as well as digital magazines Dragon and Dungeon, are available for purchase.

New books will be released as apps, in the manner that Penguin Books is re-imagining their printed works as interactive experiences. In addition to traditional text, each app will include interactive graphics and video tutorials, as well as tools used to bookmark, annotate, and highlight. Social networking features such as message-boards, blogging, and chat rooms will be seamlessly integrated into each app.

Having explored social networking with Facebook and Tiny Adventures in 4e, WotC will next turn to Second Life. WotC will unveil their own “sim” featuring virtual tavern where gamers could meet, above a virtual dungeon that all could explore. Avatars representing various core races and monsters will be available for purchase, along with props for weapons, equipment, and so on. Members may purchase a virtual plot of land in a nearby village, to keep their belongings. Next door, in a virtual castle, gaming rooms are equipped with tables, chairs, dice, and whiteboards for sharing maps.

 

[ourchair]

In the year 2015, I want self-lacing dicebags, self-drying hardcovers and a hover-game table.

Just imagine:

"OH NO I SPILLED COKE ON MY PHB!"

"DRYING MODE ON. Player's Handbook DRYING. YOUR Player's Handbook IS NOW DRY."

 

[Keefe the Thief]

** Climbs up onto soapbox **

Now that WotC has dumbed the game down, it is only a matter of time before D&D is a video game. The sad thing is, it won't even be as good as WoW.

What makes RPGs more fun for me, over video games, is the creativity and customization the DM puts into the game. When my character does something that actually makes an impact on the world around him, that is just the best feeling ever. You are truly part of the game then.

The other thing I like is when a real life friend's character is in need, you help them, just like you would help your friend. In a video game, when you play with strangers, you see people do all kinds of rude things that they wouldn't have the guts to do in real life. The loss of manners and the lack of friends, makes video games a lot less fun than table top for me.

Eventually, there will be enough writers, software developers and producers working on a game where your "toon" actually can make changes to the world around it. This feeling of power and influence which makes RPGs so fun, is going to be addictive to people. To me, that will be scary, because when a game gets to that level, how are people not going to get sucked into it. I mean, people play WoW for 40+ hours a week now. And that is just following a script or going and killing something.

I know that games and computers will eventually replace most table top RPGs, but some mean old bastards like myself, will still be rolling the dice 20 years from now, cursing those 1's and laughing hysterically when we crit. Will still probably be playing 3.5 or 2nd edition D&D, and laughing at the people spending all their money on 6.5. We will drink our beer or wine, talk to our friends face-to-face, and be regarded as luddites.

Oh well, such is progress...

** climbs down off soapbox looking sad **

Dear Mr. athos,

my name is Keefe the Thief, and i am a representative of the non-profit oldschool public relations campaign. Surely you got our newsletter about how to destroy barriers between gamers and how to improve the image of old-school gaming. Our newsletter asked card-carrying members to:

- explain the pros of old-school gaming without being patronizing.
- always respect people who prefer other editions and/or playstyles.
- avoid making blanket statements about groups or individuals.

You seem to have received our old, outdated newsletter, that asked our members to:

- call newer editions (+1 or +2 editions beyond the one you prefer) dumbed-down.
- compare newer editions to videogames.
- describe the videogame-experience and/or community in the worst possible light.
- foretell doom for the hobby and/or certain companies.
- happily proclaim that you will make fun of people who buy newer editions (+1 or +2 editions beyond the one you prefer).

Our marketing department and our CEO Leroy J. Jenkins believe that our new approach at inter-edition relations will improve the atmosphere on messageboards and strenghten the D&D-community as a whole.

If you have any questions about our organizations, send a mail to hyperbole[AT]for.the.bloodgod.com.

Regards, Keefe the Thief.

 

[Piratecat]

Athos, please see my warning above. Everyone back on topic, por favor!

 

[ExploderWizard]

The future of D&D (the IP) is currently in the hands of Hasbro and will be determined by a variety of factors including market demands, profitability, and whatever else is deemed to be in the best interests of company shareholders. This may or may not include the brand remaining a fantasy roleplaying game.

The future of D&D (the roleplaying game of fantasy adventure) will be determined by gamers everywhere and their desire to continue to play and teach the game to new gamers.

 

[Dice4Hire]

Frankly, I do not see much change for the future of gaming, at least inthe next ten or so years. More tools, yes, but just upgraded versions of tools that are already out there. We already have virtual tabletops, and they will get better. DDI will get more breadth and will be easier to use, probably including more adventue and encounter tools.

But there will still be books out there, though probably fewer than today. There are a lot of proponents of digital books, etc, but the technology is just not there yet, and if the infighting between different companies is any guide, it will not be solved anytime soon.

And once the tech is in place, then it is the problem of getting people to accept it. Another hurdle.

Finally, how much money is there in gaming? Enough for a technological revolution all its own? No. Definitely not. We will catch the fringes of tech developed for other purpoes and will have to adapt it to our purposes, like we are doing now.