Full circle: D&D now being based on video games...

[Aust Diamondew]

* Bling, bling, bling = character power (4E going where?)
* D&D becomming more computer adaptable
* "Interaction" diminished, Mortal-Combat type combats on the rise (4E getting rid of the weasels you have to fight, now going right to the BBEG)
* D&D 4E will probably not influence video game design in the least anymore

I think your case for all of these is weak.
First, given what they've said, characters will have less magic items in 4e, not more as in 3e and many video games.

Second, not sure what you mean by this, unless you mean the DI junk, in which case I'd say all previous editions of D&D could've benefited from the exact same thing, just the technology or will to do it weren't available.

Third, well, we'll have to wait and see for this one but you many well be right.

Fourth, see above (but if this is true it would seem to conflict with your claim of it becoming 'more computer adaptable'.)

 

[Mallus]

My take: it's not, and even if it was, so what?

 

[Patlin]

I asked my parents recently how I first got into D&D, as I cannot remember a time before I was a devoted gamer. They weren't sure, but said they thought it stemmed from my first computer, an apple iie.

It's possible... I possessed that most potent of crpgs, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord. Perhaps after enjoying Wizardry, I sought out D&D.

Thing about circles? Hard to find the begining!

 

[Jhaelen]

Remember when we used to say that video games had much of their content gained from D&D?

To be honest: No.

Does anyone else now get the impression that things have come full circle and D&D is now being developed based on video game concepts of ease of play and depth of concepts?

Not really. Video games achieve that ease of play by hiding tons of complicated calculations from the player. That's impossible to do in a pen&paper rpg, so video game concepts don't apply.

The growing desire to make the game easier to prepare and manage by a DM wasn't influenced by video games it was influenced by the experiences of D&D 3E DMs.

Trying to mimick certain mechanics or systems that worked well in certain (video) games and can be easily ported into D&D are fine by me.
In fact I'd consider it extremely stupid not to yoink good ideas just because someone else came up with it before them; it doesn't really matter what the source.

 

[Jack99]

Remember when we used to say that video games had much of their content gained from D&D? Does anyone else now get the impression that things have come full circle and D&D is now being developed based on video game concepts of ease of play and depth of concepts?

For example:
* Character abilities, even in the beginning, far outshines common folk (not necessarily a bad thing)
* Bling, bling, bling = character power (4E going where?)
* D&D becomming more computer adaptable
* "Interaction" diminished, Mortal-Combat type combats on the rise (4E getting rid of the weasels you have to fight, now going right to the BBEG)
* D&D 4E will probably not influence video game design in the least anymore

I dunno, maybe someone else can come up with more examples. I don't see it as a bad thing, it just seems like that there's more external influence now than internal production.

Thoughts?

Jay

The thread is funny.

 

[Charwoman Gene]

The thread is funny.

Emrikol's trolls stopped being funny a loooong time ago.

 

[YourSwordIsMine]

"If Pacman had affected us as kids we'd be running around in dark rooms, munching pills and listening to electronic music."

*quickly hides his Xanax and Vicoden*

 

[Zogmo]

Since your completely guessing I'd say no to everything you said.

Way, way too early to tell.

D&D from the start has always been influenced by popular fantasy in some way and in the process created it's own original fantasy.

But what your talking about is totally baseless until the game comes out and then we'll see.

 

[JDJblatherings]

For example:
* Bling, bling, bling = character power (4E going where?)

seemingly staying in the middle "comfort zone" longer.

* D&D becomming more computer adaptable

I've been playing D&D computer games for 25 years now.

* "Interaction" diminished, Mortal-Combat type combats on the rise (4E getting rid of the weasels you have to fight, now going right to the BBEG)

not a stated goal in the slightest. the contrary actually mentioned several times.

Thoughts?

I wonder why you misssed the actual videogame like aspects they have mentioned.

 

[Piratecat]

Yikes! A lot of problems here.

1. Don't call people trolls. If you think a thread is a troll, report the post and stay out of the thread.

2. You know, our prohibition against thread-crapping doesn't just apply to threads that you personally like. Don't enter a thread with the express intention of derailing it or insulting the originator.

3. Don't insult people, period.

4. While some folks may not like the topic (and there are lots of other threads out there for these people), it wasn't expressed as a rant and he asked for discussion. Thank you to everyone who entered the thread to actually discuss it, either pro- or con-.

5. Humor is always great, but not if it thread-jacks.

Thanks, gang. Be polite to one another. The deal about not derailing threads goes both ways.