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<blockquote data-quote="Sir Whiskers" data-source="post: 1433425" data-attributes="member: 6941">There's no question that there is some cross-fertilization between the two mediums, but I wouldn't say that computer RPG's have had significant effect on tabletop play. If anything, I see some of the elements you list above as a good thing, allowing characters to be more complex and flexible, without increasing the difficulty of the game too much.This actually reminds me more of how D&amp;D started, with the old white box set and dungeons full of randomly generated monsters and treasure. Roleplaying was in its infancy and we basically just killed things, solved puzzles, and avoided (or triggered) traps.Only over time did the hobby develop the idea that character development - as opposed to character advancement - should have equal time and effort. But D&amp;D still has wargaming elements and players in most campaigns have to concern themselves with both sides of the character - power and personality - or be resigned to a frustrating experience. And even in the very earliest campaigns, players focused on good tactics and equipment - you just have read some of G. Gygax's stories to see this.The two mediums really serve different purposes. I play CRPG's for the tactical challenges, as roleplaying is extremely limited in a single-player game (only Planescape: Torment came close to putting the story first and combat second). Tabletop play, OTOH, is about social interaction, both among characters in a campaign, and among friends around the table. CRPG's don't change this dynamic for me.To respond to your final question, I think saying CRPG's have &quot;ruined&quot; the hobby is going too far. They have influenced the tabletop games, just as the evolving nature of tabletop games influences CRPG's. I see this as a mostly good thing, but YMMV.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Sir Whiskers, post: 1433425, member: 6941"] There's no question that there is some cross-fertilization between the two mediums, but I wouldn't say that computer RPG's have had significant effect on tabletop play. If anything, I see some of the elements you list above as a good thing, allowing characters to be more complex and flexible, without increasing the difficulty of the game too much. This actually reminds me more of how D&D started, with the old white box set and dungeons full of randomly generated monsters and treasure. Roleplaying was in its infancy and we basically just killed things, solved puzzles, and avoided (or triggered) traps. Only over time did the hobby develop the idea that character development - as opposed to character advancement - should have equal time and effort. But D&D still has wargaming elements and players in most campaigns have to concern themselves with both sides of the character - power and personality - or be resigned to a frustrating experience. And even in the very earliest campaigns, players focused on good tactics and equipment - you just have read some of G. Gygax's stories to see this. The two mediums really serve different purposes. I play CRPG's for the tactical challenges, as roleplaying is extremely limited in a single-player game (only Planescape: Torment came close to putting the story first and combat second). Tabletop play, OTOH, is about social interaction, both among characters in a campaign, and among friends around the table. CRPG's don't change this dynamic for me. To respond to your final question, I think saying CRPG's have "ruined" the hobby is going too far. They have influenced the tabletop games, just as the evolving nature of tabletop games influences CRPG's. I see this as a mostly good thing, but YMMV. [/QUOTE]

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