Failed Game?

[mmadsen]

Here's my question: which version of D&D do you think "failed"? And what definition of "failed" and what metric do you use to make that assessment?

I would have to say that 2E failed by a number of metrics: many players left the game, few came into the game, few look back on that edition fondly, etc. By comparison, 3E succeeded on those metrics.

 

[S'mon]

2nd edition failed, because it caused TSR to go bankrupt.

If any edition failed, that's the obvious candidate, for the above reason.

 

[Gimby]

Or, put otherwise: what is the sound of a dice that falls but does not strike the table?

Doesn't that one go- "Hey! a Twenty!"

 

[Rothe]

I saw this somewhat interesting quote, and rather than derail the thread in which the statement was made, I moved it here. Here's my question: which version of D&D do you think "failed"? And what definition of "failed" and what metric do you use to make that assessment?

Without the context of the quote it is a little hard to respond to the assertion of "failed games" and the negative connotations normally associated with the word. My metric would be sales. A product fails when it fails to recoup costs (developmental, manufacturing and marketing) and provide a sufficient profit. A product can also fail to maintain a revenue stream and may need to be redesigned to recapture lost sales or provide sufficient sales growth.

 

[rgard]

1st edition failed, because it gave people an excuse to associate D&D with satanism and murder.

Unearthed Arcana failed, because it introduced the concept of munchkinism to D&D.

2nd edition failed, because it caused TSR to go bankrupt.

Skills and Powers failed, because it was too extensive and too late.

3rd edition failed, because it ended up with a revision only three years after its inception.

3.5th edition failed, because it alienated a lot of fans and d20 publishers.

But they were all fun.

You did some interesting product reviews.

 

[Rykion]

Hey! Where did you get this picture of me?

 

[Warren Okuma]

Or, put otherwise: what is the sound of a dice that falls but does not strike the table?

(Apart from "whoosh", that is...)

Whoosh? My dice don't go woosh! Must. Look. For. Dice. That. Goes. Woosh. Must. Look...

Didn't have much fun with second edition, so for me that one failed.

 

[Dragonhelm]

2nd edition failed, because it caused TSR to go bankrupt.

I don't think it was 2nd edition so much as it was poor management.

And I agree with Deekin. So long as any edition still has fans, then it hasn't failed.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Hey! Where did you get this picture of me?

Just one? Really, I was expecting more of an "I'm Spartacus!" moment.

 

[Bardsandsages]

The game itself in any incarnation has never failed. It simply evolved. Now sometimes the game's owner (TSR, WoTC, or Hasbro) has sometimes failed in its delivery or the resolution of issues. But the game itself has never been the problem.