Jim Ward's latest 900 Words: More Bombast

[herald]

Does the name "Drawmij" ring any bells with you, Mr Veteran?

You know, if you didn't bring that up I was. Good for you!

 

[Tom Cashel]

"Trained Gaming Professional?"

Where exactly is the accredited Gaming University located? Lake Geneva? Why didn't I know about this before I got an English degree?

So Jim Ward's taking the piss out of his Online Critics. So what? That's fine with me...because every opinion is useless online (yes, Joseph Elric Smith--if that really is your name--even mine!).

What Jim Ward fails to realize (or maybe he doesn't, which no doubt keeps him awake nights) is that he's officially joined the Useless Online Opinion Club with his 900-word rants.

Tsk, tsk, Mr. Ward.

Sincerely,
Thomas Cashel Fitzmaurice O'Boyle O'Flynn

 

[Piratecat]

Tom - did you miss the part where I told people to stop making personal attacks on Jim Ward?

Discuss the column, discuss his products, but don't gratuitously insult him.

 

[smetzger]

More violins are playing....

 

[herald]

Alright folks, I would like to not have P-cat lock down the thread. Please, please keep it civil.

 

[Tom Cashel]

I'm trying to point out that Ward's opinion is as useful (which is to say equally) as all of our opinions--a lot of hot air. Or rather, hot circuits. There's really no air involved, is there?

He's entitled to his opinion, we're all entitled to ours, and nothing Jim Ward says is going to change the price of a Player's Handbook in Sheboygan.

And no, I didn't miss your warning. I did miss the part where I "gratuitously insulted" James Ward, though.

 

[herald]

"Trained Gaming Professional?"

So what? That's fine with me...because every opinion is useless online (yes, Joseph Elric Smith--if that really is your name--even mine!).

Sincerely,
Thomas Cashel Fitzmaurice O'Boyle O'Flynn

Well, I would have to say that I for one don't think that opinions are useless. The whole purpose of a message board is to open yourself up to the idea that you want to hear other's opinions to form a better understanding of something as a whole.

Unless all you wanted to hear was your opinion.
But I'm sure that''s not what you wanted.

 

[CCamfield]

Oh, dear. I hope Mr. Ward learns soon that this sort of soapbox speech doesn't help his cause. I've seen some other game company personnel take stands like this and in those cases it just blew up in their faces.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

Does the name "Drawmij" ring any bells with you, Mr Veteran?

We've already had a "lambasting Jim Ward" thread over his last 900 words, and now there are posters going for round two, cynically looking for arrogance so they can "righteously" dredge up the reviewer thing again, which was presented as a wishlist...

Yep, it is one of those poor attempts at creativity. Take Tom Bombadil from Tolkien and spell it backwards and you get another one of Mr. Ward's creative attempts in his Rings of Power hardcover.

What is your point? Are you saying he has been around a long time? Who cares. His products are proof that long experience in this industry just like every other industry doesnt mean one is automatically good at that industry.

As I have said before. No one would be lambasting Mr. Ward if he was not giving them ammo. Do Movie directors attack critics who lambast their movies? Do authors? Does the CEO of Ford write an angry letter to the world when Car and Driver says their latest SUV is a piece of crap? No.

Jim Ward has personally put out every piece of ammo that has been used against him. No I am not talking about the games themselves. Lots of people have put out bad products and no one does anything beyond give them bad reviews. Its his other comments. Things like:

1. His 900 Words where he attacks reviewers for not respecting him as a "Professional Game Designer".

2. His cheapshots at reviewers by taking quotes from them out of context.

3. His tone in his forum where he calls things like the CR system stupid and on the way out when people try to point out that he is using it wrong or forgetting to include it in his products.

If Jim Ward doesnt want so much bad press then he should keep quiet and let his products speak for him. Even if the products are horrible the small amount of noise they will generate will not be as bad as the noise his other comments generate.

 

[Felon]

I'm trying to point out that Ward's opinion is as useful (which is to say equally) as all of our opinions--a lot of hot air. Or rather, hot circuits. There's really no air involved, is there?

Tom, why do you think opinions shared on the Internet are inherently worthless? Exactly what forums for discussing topics are actually useful and meaningful?

He's entitled to his opinion, we're all entitled to ours, and nothing Jim Ward says is going to change the price of a Player's Handbook in Sheboygan.

Don't be so quick to dismiss the value of one measly butterfly in China flapping its wings. Ideas and opinions have a way of spreading...if only once in a great while.

And no, I didn't miss your warning. I did miss the part where I "gratuitously insulted" James Ward, though.

I'm not sure on that one myself, and am therefore hesitant to comment further on the topic for fear of incurring the wrath of a certain privateering feline. Questioning what constitutes a "trained" professional does seem relevant to Jim's column IMHO, although I took it that Jim regards personal experience as a form of self-training.