Kate Welch is WotC's New D&D Designer

WotC has a brand new D&D designer, and it's Kate Welch! She plays Rosie Beestinger, the Lightfoot Halfing Monk in Acquisitions Inc's "C Team". She starts work on February 2nd. That's all I know for the moment, but more info if I hear it!

[video=youtube;fRsURJf4SjQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRsURJf4SjQ[/video]
[FONT=&amp]Save[/FONT][FONT=&amp]Save[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Save[/FONT][FONT=&amp]Save[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Save[/FONT][FONT=&amp]Save[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Save[/FONT][FONT=&amp]Save[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Save[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Save[/FONT]​

 

[robus]

I disagree... I would imagine it is simple bell curve distribution.... with players that the play the game with zero dice rolling (i.e. heavy role players) and players that play the game with all dice mechanics and zero role playing being at the opposite ends with everyone else forming the bell by playing the game by utilizing both playstyles

I think your bell curve extremes are a bit "extreme" - I don't think there are any D&D players that never roll the dice and I also don't think that there are any D&D players that never role-play.

Certainly there are tables that prefer to emphasize one or the other aspect of play - but to exclude it entirely??!

 

[neobolts]

She has a number of skills that WotC needs...UI/application design, playtesting, geek podcasting, and worldbuilding. Plus, she is a part of the current "D&D as web series" trend as Morrus mentioned (with Penny Arcade's C-Team).

Just being a known face within the Penny Arcade empire would make someone a known quantity within WotC. Penny Arcade founded the PAX conventions, and co-founder Jerry "Tycho" Holkins wrote a haunt for Betrayal at the House on the Hill: Widow's Walk.

But I think it is even more important that her design work during the Guild Wars 2 launch not be overlooked. The lore and worldbuilding for Guild Wars 2 was top-notch with Jeff Grubb (yes, that Jeff Grubb, the Dragonlance and FR alum) as one of the lead worldbuilders. Her focus was the UI, but anyone on that team has probably been on WotC's radar for many years (and rightfully so).


I'm going to drop this interview with her into the thread:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/36-the-c-teams-kate-welch
Also this old GW2 interview with Jeff Grubb:
http://www.tentonhammer.com/articles/defining-the-lore-of-guild-wars-2-a-q-a-with-jeff-grubb

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

I'll just tune in to say that I'm glad to have ENworld has a online community, you people are a breath of fresh air every time I read a new post after news like that. After seeing how the same topic went on the D&Dnext Reddit, I can assure you that you people must be fun to hang with, even if nobody ever agrees on what is a witch or warlord. Such warm welcomes for a new designer, whatever her background, are a sign that the hobby holds a great, positive future.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Are those her real ears?

 

[Demetrios1453]

I'll just tune in to say that I'm glad to have ENworld has a online community, you people are a breath of fresh air every time I read a new post after news like that. After seeing how the same topic went on the D&Dnext Reddit, I can assure you that you people must be fun to hang with, even if nobody ever agrees on what is a witch or warlord. Such warm welcomes for a new designer, whatever her background, are a sign that the hobby holds a great, positive future.

I started reading the Reddit thread after the carnage, and saw all the downvoted posts. I didn't click on them to read them, already having a sneaking suspicion of what they likely contained. The thread here, as you have mentioned, has gone much more reasonably, even with the rather random off-topic argument going on in the middle of it all...

 

[Zarithar]

I like the dynamic she brings to the Acq-Inc shows and she definitely has a real passion for the game. Works for me! Congrats to her.

 

[M.T. Black]

What a great choice! I'm really looking forward to seeing what she produces for our community!

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

I think your bell curve extremes are a bit "extreme" - I don't think there are any D&D players that never roll the dice and I also don't think that there are any D&D players that never role-play.

Certainly there are tables that prefer to emphasize one or the other aspect of play - but to exclude it entirely??!

You're wrong about your second assumption. I've played with a group who seem to have no idea that role-playing is even a thing, they approach D&D exactly the same way as a video game.
5E is fun even when played as a straight dungeon crawler, which is why I've kept gaming with that gang

 

[Pauper]

5E is fun even when played as a straight dungeon crawler, which is why I've kept gaming with that gang

I've played in those games and I'll agree they can be fun if that's what you're in the mood for.

My problem isn't so much with folks who want D&D to be a dungeon-crawler video game, though, as those who want it to be Dark Souls.

--
Pauper

 

[hawkeyefan]

Kate’s great! She just played with the main AI team at PAX South for the second time and fit right in. Good for her. Glad to see them expanding the design team.