Mearls Blog: PHB2 is his best ever

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Wow, I hope Mike publishes an entry on his blog about making some really good waffles, because while I don't write much, I'm none-too-shabby with a waffle iron if I do so say so myself, and would love to share my thoughts on that craft. Sometimes I make a waffle and I'm all like "dude, best waffles EVAR", but y'know what? Like a week later, I make a waffle and I'm like "oh no way, that is gross--did I get a roach motel stuck in the batter or something?" Seriously, I could go on for pages with self-indulgent gems like that.

Come on, Mike, please?

I wouldn't mind you writing such a blog, I just wouldn't care. Even if someone posted a thread about it.

 

[Lizard]

Actually, his comments echo my feelings about 4e core -- that the need to get it "right" caused the designers to play it too safe, stay well within the lines and not push the engine at all. The supplementary material, such as Martial Power and many Dragon articles, is FAR more exciting/fun/interesting than the core rules. There was very little in the core game that excited me, that made me want to play, but the add-on material has brought back the "fun" factor the overly "safe" core rules lacked.

 

[jgbrowning]

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.

That would be a rational assumption, but in my experience it's not the case. Professional creatives seem rarely completely pleased with their work. It's that which allows them to continue creating, IMO.

Look at Walt Whitman for a great example. 6 editions of Leaves of Grass plus a "deathbed" edition over a period of roughly 35 years.

joe b.

 

[Lizard]

That would be a rational assumption, but in my experience it's not the case. Professional creatives seem rarely completely pleased with their work. It's that which allows them to continue creating, IMO.

Look at Walt Whitman for a great example. 6 editions of Leaves of Grass plus a "deathbed" edition over a period of roughly 35 years.

joe b.

As a general rule, I am deeply suspicious of any creator who claims to love his own work.

 

[Rechan]

As a general rule, I am deeply suspicious of any creator who claims to love his own work.

Love might be a strong word. Pride might be better.

 

[Felon]

That would be a rational assumption, but in my experience it's not the case. Professional creatives seem rarely completely pleased with their work. It's that which allows them to continue creating, IMO.

Or kill themselves. A self-satisfied author is a healthy author.

 

[Felon]

"Writers prone to self-indulgent navel-gazing. Film at 11."

Internet posters horn in on wafflemaster's gag! Film at eleven!

 

[Mallus]

A self-satisfied author is a healthy author.

A healthy author is hard to find...

 

[Dausuul]

When I start a creative project, it's going to be the absolute best thing I've ever done.

When I'm midway through it, it's the absolute worst thing I've ever done.

When I'm finished, it's maybe okay, but I really have no idea any more.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

Actually, his comments echo my feelings about 4e core -- that the need to get it "right" caused the designers to play it too safe, stay well within the lines and not push the engine at all. The supplementary material, such as Martial Power and many Dragon articles, is FAR more exciting/fun/interesting than the core rules. There was very little in the core game that excited me, that made me want to play, but the add-on material has brought back the "fun" factor the overly "safe" core rules lacked.

This is a very good point.

I think I need to remind some of my players about this - not that I think they're having any problems with the game, just that the original PHB may not be the best advert for it.