MMO grinding and D&D Insider

[BASHMAN]

Heh. Maybe wizards will just say to the rpga all subscribers to the DDI get +50% xp per session. That will get them a lot more subscribers.

 

[Hussar]

This is Hasbro's cash cow if they are smart. Done right, I can see RPGA becoming a million gamer organization in 5 years. They've already got over 100,000 active without DDI and this is only going to help them explode.

BTW, RPGA membership is free (currently) so it would not add any additional costs to your DDI fees.

While I don't play in the RPGA (Living in Japan makes that tricky), if this happens it is nothing but goodness for the hobby. I'm really hoping that people can get over their stigma of online VTT gaming.

 

[Echohawk]

BTW, RPGA membership is free (currently) so it would not add any additional costs to your DDI fees.

However, last time I checked, you need to attend at least one RPGA event in person to be able to sign up as member. Which is problematic if you live on a continent that doesn't have RPGA events .

I really hope WotC come up with a way for people to join the RPGA via the DDI without requiring in-person attendance at an RPGA event.

 

[Deverash]

However, last time I checked, you need to attend at least one RPGA event in person to be able to sign up as member. Which is problematic if you live on a continent that doesn't have RPGA events .

I really hope WotC come up with a way for people to join the RPGA via the DDI without requiring in-person attendance at an RPGA event.

Well, I know that when I thought I had lost my RPGA card I was offered a new number when I participated in an online Living Greyhawk game. It just requires that the GM have ordered cards for his online event and be willing to mail you the physical card.

 

[pedr]

To be honest, you don't need an RPGA card. I have never shown mine to anybody. So long as you remember your number, which a GM with an unused card/application form can tell you online, you'll be fine.

If the rewards programme works as intended, after about 10 sessions you'll earn enough points to be sent a proper plastic card anyway. (Note you have to sign up for RPGA rewards separately from signing up as a member. See www.rpga.com for details).

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

If MMO grinding is what you describe, it definitely exists in D&D. One of the players in my group isn't a good DM, but we still play his games, since we like leveling and equipping our characters. . (Even if we can use them only in his campaign)

 

[NiTessine]

As somebody else mentioned you certainly see some element of grinding in living campaigns. In Living Greyhawk people would voluntarily spend hours playing through an adventure they already knew was bad, with a DM they knew was bad, just to get some xp and loot for their character. Sometimes they would even travel way out of their way for the privelege.

Indeed. Just yesterday I posted in my blog about how we went about solving the issue of bad LG modules. Won't work at most cons, though, and wouldn't suggest using it as a solution for bad DMs. Especially ones you don't know personally.

For what it's worth, I don't think making "grinding" LFR modules easier with DDI is a very good solution. I'd prefer to see them invest in module quality instead, so that playing them won't feel like you're doing it just for the prize at the end. At the moment, my hopes are not high.

As for the bragging mentioned by the original poster, I have indeed had someone brag about how his Living Greyhawk character could beat up my Living Greyhawk character. It was very sad, and I am not surprised we don't see more of it.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Indeed. Just yesterday I posted in my blog about how we went about solving the issue of bad LG modules. Won't work at most cons, though, and wouldn't suggest using it as a solution for bad DMs. Especially ones you don't know personally.

For what it's worth, I don't think making "grinding" LFR modules easier with DDI is a very good solution. I'd prefer to see them invest in module quality instead, so that playing them won't feel like you're doing it just for the prize at the end. At the moment, my hopes are not high.

I agree. There is no point in creating a "grinding" adventure if you could have a good one, instead. I can get fun out of finding cool stuff and kicking some butt, but it's even more rewarding if there is an interesting story told in the process.

As for the bragging mentioned by the original poster, I have indeed had someone brag about how his Living Greyhawk character could beat up my Living Greyhawk character. It was very sad, and I am not surprised we don't see more of it.

You only say that because he could beat up your character, not the other way around!