Has D&D gotten better because of it's computer spawns? (balders gate, etc.)

[Thurbane]

I personally think the "video game mentality" has contibuted to many aspects that I don't like about the current rules set...the CR system, item creation feats/mechanics, encounters per day balance...

When I've got a bit more time I'll expand on my beefs with those things...

 

[MatthewJHanson]

I'm talking about games like Neverwinter nights, DOOM, Balders gate, Final Fantasy, etc.

Doom?
(But on topic I don't think it had much effect, thought I do enjoy playing the games, especially Baldur's Gate series and Planescape: Torment).

 

[demiurge1138]

Well, Baldur's Gate got me interested in D&D in the first place .

Same here, or at least close to it. The Monstrous Compendium got me interested in D&D. Baldur's Gate kept me there.

I think that video and computer games have had a small, but positive influence on D&D, if just because of the ideas they keep swiping from each other. And, of course, gaming is the introduction to fantasy that a lot of younger people have these days, it probably strengthens the hobby as they expand their taste for fantasy and find D&D.

Demiurge out.

 

[Victim]

No change. Sure, some new players will have joined after exposure through CRPGs like Baldur's Gate (like much of my current group). However, PnP gamers also seem to be suffering some attrition due to players who've switched primarily to electronic games - although that's probably more of an MMO thing than specificly DnD licensed games. Not that other computer RPGs weren't inspired by DnD in the first place.

 

[ThirdWizard]

I'd go with a "both" answer. In reality, I would say that computer game influence on D&D has had much less impact than D&D's influence on video games, and most influence video games have had on D&D were from video games initially influenced by D&D itself. So, its a really complex series of back and forths with D&D, ultimately, being influenced more by itself after its initial conception than anything else.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

D&D hasn't changed much, if at all, based on D&D-branded computer games. IIRC, one of the reasons for making AC positive was for ease of coding, but beyond that, I don't see that the likes of Baldur's Gate have had much influence. If anything, they tend to lag behind, ignoring newer rules and at times even using prior editions; Baldur's Gate 2 was 2e, IIRC, and the Gold Box games were primarily 1e even many years after 2e's release.

D&D has actively, vituperously and unfailingly balked at any influence from the more successful Final Fantasy series and its lesser-selling kin. When an element that could be construed as being similar to FF appears, its creator is always quick to note that he's never even played the games... which is a bit like designing a financial board game and boasting of never having played Monopoly.

D&D has been influenced somewhat by MMORPGs. These, particularly Everquest and WoW, seem to be acceptably "D&Dish" to have elements incorporated. I would expect this to continue since MMOs map so closely to the D&D model and have so much more R&D money poured into them.

I think it's safe to say Doom's impact on D&D has been slight.

 

[Ealli]

The biggest issue would be computer games siphoning players away from pen and paper. It's much easier to go online: less scheduling issues, easier visualization, easier to leave groups that don't work.

Innovation is good and computer games innovate much quicker than pen and paper games. Some players almost certainly also return to D&D and such after some experience with the computer.

 

[Destil]

IIRC, one of the reasons for making AC positive was for ease of coding,

I don't buy it... if anything programers had a much easier time with THAC0 than any pen and paper player. If you can do even basic pathing AC going down as it gets better is trivial.

 

[Nifft]

It's what brought me back to tabletop.

Same here. BG2 was great fun, and then this 3rd Edition thing came out... great timing.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Particle_Man]

I have heard that the Knight in PHB II was inspired by the idea of "Drawing Aggro" but I don't know if that is true.