Internet: good or bad for D&D?

[Wombat]

Well, the internet gets updated more often than Alarums & Excursions...

Flame wars, editions wars, and contentiousness did not begin with the internet.

 

[the Jester]

IMHO, anything that promotes or encourages animated discussion helps dnd.

Even if a lot of it is vacuous, insipid and stupid, the Internet encourages animated discussion about everything.

 

[Oni]

I've met several people whose first exposure to roleplaying was online. I've seen more than a couple people say that there were only able to find the enough people to play their game of choice online. I probably wouldn't have gotten so into RPG's in college were it not for the internet making games and discussion so readily available. Consider the resources of the average gamer now versus pre-internet, just about anything you'd want to do with a game system has probably already been done an posted on the net by someone.

None of this is specific to DnD but as the most played game out there, I'm sure it cannot help but benefit.

 

[Desdichado]

The internet's how I heard about 3rd edition. The internet's how I found my current gaming group. The internet brought to my attention GenCon and most of my favorite current publishers.

Without the internet, I'd still be on the fringe of the gaming hobby; not really a participant, and not really buying anything.

 

[Greg K]

The internet is how I first learned about 3e. It is how I learned of good third party products which (along with Unearthed Arcana) actually fixed issues that I had with 3e and made me want to play while also informing me of which 3pp products I might want to avoid.

Plus, it provides a fast and convenient medium for gamers to exchange ideas (and flame editions).

 

[Jhaelen]

One observation I have, which has held true on every forum for every hobby I've seen:

The people who don't read internet forums are happier about their hobby than those who do.

Interesting observation but it rings true to me.

 

[El Mahdi]

Mostly good, the internet's influence however, is only as good as those who create and fuel it: Humans. And God knows, we ain't perfect.

My game wouldn't be nearly what it is without the internet. The availability of alternate rules, ideas, and inspiration wouldn't be even a percentage of what it is without it. The only problems that arise is when our own human shortcomings rise to the surface (such as edition wars). But, IMO, the internet has created a golden age in information and idea sharing. (Even when it's used for completely useless stuff - like RPG's.)

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Without the internet there would be no EnWorld.

 

[El Mahdi]

...no EnWorld.

!!!!!!


Don't say that! There are children on these boards!

 

[Crothian]

2001 would have been the last year I gamed if not for the net. So, I say good!