I thought it would be interesting to discuss the overall direction, so far, of Mike Mearls' Legends and Lore articles.
My impression, so far, is that it's a good initial attempt to parlay with the community, yet it feels mostly one-way. There's no onpage comments or twitter- or facebook-like engagement. Feedback is elicited through a simple multiple choice. I'd like to see more nuanced polls, perhaps an 'Other' comments field, perhaps an Official Feedback thread. I don't know whether the restricted feedback is intentional or not, due to technical constraints or otherwise.
I'd love to see different kinds of polls about overall design philosophy and other 4E-isms that (for me) are just or more important than polls about rules. Perhaps polls that address systemic debates like simulationism, fiction first vs rules first, bird's eye view vs immersion, or whatever other big issues are shaping the D&D tent(s).
I'd love to read Mearls' comments about the poll results from the preceding article. Hopefully, he would have something interesting to say about the poll results, emphasing the relevance of that polling, assuming that the particular poll wasn't, in hindsite, rather obvious or superficial.
It would be interesting to see great polls with real feedback loops, where the results of one poll may shape a future direction, perhaps something truly community-driven like the D&D Creature Competitions. Or perhaps the polls are more like carrots leading us somewhere pre-determined.
I don't claim that Mike Mearls and WoTC are obligated to listen to any of us. I'm not expecting them to. I don't hate Mearls, and don't love or hate any edition of D&D. It's much too early to jump to any conclusions, and yet the first few articles are already setting a certain tone that is already drawing divides here on Enworld. First impressions can be important, especially if Legends and Lore is part of a WoTC PR strategy or social engagement.
I am very curious where Legends and Lore is going. Just not sure if it's getting off the right or wrong foot in terms of first impressions?
My impression, so far, is that it's a good initial attempt to parlay with the community, yet it feels mostly one-way. There's no onpage comments or twitter- or facebook-like engagement. Feedback is elicited through a simple multiple choice. I'd like to see more nuanced polls, perhaps an 'Other' comments field, perhaps an Official Feedback thread. I don't know whether the restricted feedback is intentional or not, due to technical constraints or otherwise.
I'd love to see different kinds of polls about overall design philosophy and other 4E-isms that (for me) are just or more important than polls about rules. Perhaps polls that address systemic debates like simulationism, fiction first vs rules first, bird's eye view vs immersion, or whatever other big issues are shaping the D&D tent(s).
I'd love to read Mearls' comments about the poll results from the preceding article. Hopefully, he would have something interesting to say about the poll results, emphasing the relevance of that polling, assuming that the particular poll wasn't, in hindsite, rather obvious or superficial.
It would be interesting to see great polls with real feedback loops, where the results of one poll may shape a future direction, perhaps something truly community-driven like the D&D Creature Competitions. Or perhaps the polls are more like carrots leading us somewhere pre-determined.
I don't claim that Mike Mearls and WoTC are obligated to listen to any of us. I'm not expecting them to. I don't hate Mearls, and don't love or hate any edition of D&D. It's much too early to jump to any conclusions, and yet the first few articles are already setting a certain tone that is already drawing divides here on Enworld. First impressions can be important, especially if Legends and Lore is part of a WoTC PR strategy or social engagement.
I am very curious where Legends and Lore is going. Just not sure if it's getting off the right or wrong foot in terms of first impressions?