I will Living Greyhawk no more!
- Thread starter DWARF
- Start date
KidCthulhu
First Post
Yeah, it wasn't bad. Don't get me wrong. I still say you have a significantly better chance of getting a quality game signing up for an RPGA event, of any kind, at a con than you do signing up for Joe X's game. And I have met some of my very best friends in the world at RPGA events.
But the organization has changed, and continues to change, to meet the needs of a market that wants to play "win the scenario" style, not "what are my motivations" style. RPGA is, after all, part of the WoTC Marketing department, and must go where the market leads.
Every once in a while, there are rumors that the "Classic" branch is going to be bought up by someone else, or someone is going to start a new organization to run only this type of game. So far, nothing comes of it. Perhaps some friendly millionaire with too much time on his or her hands will get bored...
But the organization has changed, and continues to change, to meet the needs of a market that wants to play "win the scenario" style, not "what are my motivations" style. RPGA is, after all, part of the WoTC Marketing department, and must go where the market leads.
Every once in a while, there are rumors that the "Classic" branch is going to be bought up by someone else, or someone is going to start a new organization to run only this type of game. So far, nothing comes of it. Perhaps some friendly millionaire with too much time on his or her hands will get bored...
D'karr
Adventurer
heirodule said:
That is good to know. However, that information should be placed on their website. They have a calendar of events. Why not keep it updated. Going to an e-mail group that requires membership and then having to sift through e-mails to find out information is not very efficient.
Thank you for that information. I didn't bother to scroll down since the calendar of events was so huge.
I've played in Living Greyhawk now since almost the begining. At first it was a lot of fun, meeting new people, and there was definately role-playing (This was LG year 1).
However, most of the modules have some very silly premises, poor hooks, and horribly over challenging encounters (One module I played in with 2nd and 3rd level characters faced an EL 10 enconter!). The format of LG doesn't lend to a role-playing environment and I find that it stifles creativity. Although one could argue modules themselves stiffle creativity.
Most of the gamers that play LG, want to kill, loot, advance and gain power. It's a power gamer's wet dream (except that it takes a very long time to get anywhere).
However, playing LG at conventions or even at events in your area is still a good way to meet gamers. It's also a good way to meet good gamers because you can definately tell who matches your style best.
LG is not role-playing, it's simple formula is this:
1) Read box text for plot hook, you have no choice or reason why your there.
2) Proceed to Encounter 1.
3) Possibly chat with NPC's, hopefully gain insight (usually this is not the case though)
4) Proceed to Encounter 2-5. Usually involves one or more persons bickering about rules.
5) Wrap up, Conclusion. Gain XP, Gold, Fill out paperwork.
Anyway, nuff said
Delgar
However, most of the modules have some very silly premises, poor hooks, and horribly over challenging encounters (One module I played in with 2nd and 3rd level characters faced an EL 10 enconter!). The format of LG doesn't lend to a role-playing environment and I find that it stifles creativity. Although one could argue modules themselves stiffle creativity.
Most of the gamers that play LG, want to kill, loot, advance and gain power. It's a power gamer's wet dream (except that it takes a very long time to get anywhere).
However, playing LG at conventions or even at events in your area is still a good way to meet gamers. It's also a good way to meet good gamers because you can definately tell who matches your style best.
LG is not role-playing, it's simple formula is this:
1) Read box text for plot hook, you have no choice or reason why your there.
2) Proceed to Encounter 1.
3) Possibly chat with NPC's, hopefully gain insight (usually this is not the case though)
4) Proceed to Encounter 2-5. Usually involves one or more persons bickering about rules.
5) Wrap up, Conclusion. Gain XP, Gold, Fill out paperwork.
Anyway, nuff said
Delgar
Lalato
Adventurer
qstor said:
I played an intro mod at the Game Parlor last week. I was in town for a week long business meeting.
The intro modules are more or less designed for complete newbies, but I still had a good time. I believe they play several times per month... so it's easy to work your schedule around it... and The Game Parlor is a very nice store... decent selection and a friendly staff. I also recommend The Compleat Strategist in Falls Church. It's a tiny store, but they have a good selection of DnD material.
--sam
My experience with the RPGA has been horrible at best. I have meet some good players at such event such as Jean Rabe and I have run into P-cat and Co from time to time. (Always nice to meet up with my old college gaming crew.)
The drawback is that most if not all RPGA module are so linear that they leave no character flexibility to influence the plot. Back when I was helping with a con in NJ, I was asked to run a few RPGA events. If I was lucky, I received the module 15 minutes before game time, if I was unlucky, the module arrived 15 minutes after game time. A lot of the module required the GM to sell the plot hooks. That could be difficult for some dm's if they had not the opportunity to read the module in advance. Due to my bad experiences with the RPGA, it has jaded me for all RPGA sponsered events; even the rare good one.
There are a lot of excellent gms who also have some distain to the RPGA. Usually these gm's get a reputation at the local cons as running good adventures. Ask around and see which ones are recommended. Of course, there is bad and good within and without the RPGA. Try it, if you like it, great! Take what you like from the game and savor it. All you can do with the parts you don't like is try to improve upon it.
The drawback is that most if not all RPGA module are so linear that they leave no character flexibility to influence the plot. Back when I was helping with a con in NJ, I was asked to run a few RPGA events. If I was lucky, I received the module 15 minutes before game time, if I was unlucky, the module arrived 15 minutes after game time. A lot of the module required the GM to sell the plot hooks. That could be difficult for some dm's if they had not the opportunity to read the module in advance. Due to my bad experiences with the RPGA, it has jaded me for all RPGA sponsered events; even the rare good one.
There are a lot of excellent gms who also have some distain to the RPGA. Usually these gm's get a reputation at the local cons as running good adventures. Ask around and see which ones are recommended. Of course, there is bad and good within and without the RPGA. Try it, if you like it, great! Take what you like from the game and savor it. All you can do with the parts you don't like is try to improve upon it.
buzzard
First Post
KidCthulhu said:
The removal of voting is one of the better things I have seen in my time at cons. Voting was generally a pathetic popularity contest. I've sat at many a table where the winner of the table was the person who 'role played the best'. What this actually amounted to was being loud, annoying, and contributing little if anything to the success of the party. The award was never supposed to be 'role playing'. It was supposed to be a weighted measure of factors. It rarely amounted to that around here. It was popularity and the normal cheesy acting which some people think is crucial to 'role playing'.
Gee, what if someone can't do funny voices, or isn't extroverted and yet plays the reactions of their character to a 't'? I can guarantee you wouldn't see them win a table.
Of course the other colorful thing I noted in my time totalling scoring packets was the amazing frequency with which husbands would automatically rate their wives as best at the table. Having played with these people, it was evident that the asessment had nothing to do with quailty demonstrated during the game session.
Also general popularity and being known seems to carry some weight as well. A person who I have gamed with extensively at cons, and used to play in a home game with, won tables consistently. He also had the personality of a cardboard box, the brains of a squirrel, and the tactical ability of a rock. Mitigating this was his association with the local gaming club in long standing.
Certainly the voting wasn't always bogus. I have certainly seen deserving people win a table. However this was not even close to the rule.
To sum up- good riddance.
buzzard
