Mearls Blog: PHB2 is his best ever

[Derren]

What book was it for?

Some cooking book. Don't remember the name.

 

[Evilhalfling]

Ari, what is your "best work ever"??

 

[fba827]

Again, I wonder what in particular about the PHB2 that elevates it to such lofty status in his mind....

If you read further down, mearls responds to a responder and says that they were able to be "freer" with phb2 than they were with phb1, because with phb1 was also concerned with general 4e reception (in addition to specific class and feature reception). So that equates to one less barrier (a major barrier at that) which would censor creative freedoms in phb1.

I think, in general, that type of open freedom would turn a project from "being just that project you're assigned to" in to being "that project you're excited and passionate about since it lets you flex your creative muscles."

He wouldn't have to worry as much about getting blocked "by the higher ups" for stepping too far outside the box as long as he stayed within the general framework setup. Creativity leads to passion and excitement, and excitement is what he is showing here.

Personally, I have been looking forward to the release of PHB2 since... well, since I knew there would be one -- it has the classes and themes that I have been waiting for and want to see implemented.

 

[2WS-Steve]

I'm sure part of it is that anyone who creates things, whether as a writer or painter or musician, is inclined to feel that their most recent work is their best ever especially right after they have polished it and released it. They been slaving over it for awhile and pouring their heart into it. It's natural to feel that it is your best ever or you probably wouldn't be publishing/releasing it.

Now, ask him in 20 years and see what he says his best book is. Perhaps it will be the 4E PH2 or perhaps not.

For me this is this usually the case -- but usually it's only about 6 months to a year later I'll have a more balanced judgment.

 

[Darrin Drader]

I'm sure part of it is that anyone who creates things, whether as a writer or painter or musician, is inclined to feel that their most recent work is their best ever especially right after they have polished it and released it. They been slaving over it for awhile and pouring their heart into it. It's natural to feel that it is your best ever or you probably wouldn't be publishing/releasing it.

Now, ask him in 20 years and see what he says his best book is. Perhaps it will be the 4E PH2 or perhaps not.

When I work on something, I can draw on what worked and did not work from previous attempts, and then put that knowledge to use, so in general, I usually think newer stuff = better. There have been some surprises though. I didn't think Mysteries of the Moonsea was going to fly with the Forgotten Realms fans, so I was pretty surprised with all the positive feedback on that one. I thought the format was enough to kill it, but it was received much better than expected.

I was wondering, more generally, if artists best work as they perceive it are often radically different than those considered best by their audience. Frex, is there some unknown painting by Da Vinci he considered better than the Mona Lisa or the Last Supper?

Very likely. Of all the things I've worked on, the one I'm the most pleased with is still D20 Apocalypse. I still think my best work is in front of me rather than behind me. I'd imagine most creative types have to think that way or it wouldn't be worthwhile to keep plugging away at it.

 

[Jakar]

A author says that his newest book is better than all his previous works...

Where did I hear that the last time? Oh, right. At the home shopping channel.
Authors praising their new books isn't really that uncommon and doesn't really mean much either. Show me an author who says that his new book is just average. Then I will be impressed.

Bannable content removed ~ PS

 

[Fifth Element]

A author says that his newest book is better than all his previous works...

...

Show me an author who says that his new book is just average. Then I will be impressed.

My RPG material went downhill after A Skill For Everything (and the market agreed with me), which was probably my best design work.

All of my stuff was average at best. Most of it was pretty blech.

But then I've never been a professional by any meaning of the word, so maybe I don't count?

 

[catsclaw227]

Bannable content removed ~ PS

Easy tiger. This isn't necessary either.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I can't speak for any other writers, of course, but for myself, you'd be surprised how often this is not the case.

Don't get me wrong, I won't turn in a draft if I don't think it's good. But that's not the same thing as believing it's my best ever.

But how many times would you post that it WASN'T your best? I mean, were ads for the Advanced Player's book followed by quotes from you going, "Yeah, it's solid but m'eh."

 

[Umbran]

You are nothing but a gigantic pustule ....

This is unacceptable, and has been dealt with. Please ignore it, and move along, folks.