New WotC D&D DMing Survey

[Glyfair]

I wonder how they will interpret some of the answers. For example, I marked I never use a monster builder to create monsters. It's not for lack of interest, it's because none of the existing monster builders come up to my minimum standards.

 

[Verys Arkon]

Looks like they are trying to prioritize the components that go into Campaign Tools to me. Sort of a Part II survey after they determined what tool people wanted them to work on.

Verys

 

[Hadrian the Builder]

Glyfair, you're spot on. I wish the questions would target what i WANT to be able to do, but do not have appropriate computer tools for.

 

[merelycompetent]

@ Mudstrum Ridcully: Thanks for posting this link. I don't visit WotC's website very often, so I missed their previous survey.

@ Glyfair: That is SO true!! I get more use out of tables and lists (Ultimate Toolbox, anyone?) than I do out of many of the "tools."

Argh! Extremely frustrating!

 

[mudbunny]

If you have things you would like to add that you weren't able to in the survey, please post them in this thread, or in the official thread in the WotC forums, and I will make sure that they get passed up to WotC.

 

[Lord Mhoram]

I'm sure some of my answers will throw things off. I subscribe to DDI but never use any computer tools to build characters, monsters or adventures and do not use a computer when I play.

I also liked that the "what age are you" had breakdowns in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Great for us old fogeys. (42 here).

 

[Festivus]

Perhaps someone who speaks code can translate this one?

Stat blocks for published monsters, without using the all of the monster description as written

A reskin. I do it all the time when I don't have time to come up with monster stats but know what the things look like.

 

[Glyfair]

A reskin. I do it all the time when I don't have time to come up with monster stats but know what the things look like.

Indeed, using stats from the D&D Compendium, sometimes you have no choice but to reskin.

Some of the "creature" stats have few identifying information. You often have a name that gives you no clue (such as a persons name), a descriptor or two (say...undead) and a set of stats that don't give a hint. Just look at what you have an improvise (or find some stats that fit what you want and adjust the minor details).

 

[merelycompetent]

If you have things you would like to add that you weren't able to in the survey, please post them in this thread, or in the official thread in the WotC forums, and I will make sure that they get passed up to WotC.

Very kind of you, sir!

So, some examples:

3. How often do you use each of the following tools... run as DM?
If I answer Sometimes or Never, pop-up another set of questions, along the lines of ~why~ I only use it sometimes/never:
Do you not use a tool like this because:
_ It does not meet your needs as a DM
_ It is not configurable
_ You are disatisfied with the quality of the currently available products?
_ Other?


Here are some specifics:
Monster Design Software - do you not use it because:
_ Not enough features
_ Non-rules-compliant
_ Does not run on your computer
_ Usability issues (i.e. the user interface sucks)
_ Other?

Re-usable dungeon map pieces:
_ Product quality is lacking
_ Too expensive
_ Design not suitable to your game table
_ Other?

Pre-printed 1-inch-grid poster maps...
_ Product durability is low
_ Don't want to mess up your only copy
_ Never tried them
_ Don't use miniatures at your game table
_ Other?

6. Thinking about the D&D group... how many members of the group (including yourself) ever act as the Dungeon Master?

Do you mean for the group I DM for, for another group, do we rotate DM's, or what?


8. Thinking about the D&D group... actively playing in your group most of the time?

What do you mean by actively playing? Do you mean do I have people sitting at the game table playing on the PSP instead of paying attention to the game prior to their expulsion from the group? Do you mean do we have any casual players who show up for only 3 out of every 4 sessions?

11. Why haven't you played the 4th Ed... 3 months?

_ Too much work to convert my current game to 4E

 

[El Mahdi]

I wonder how they will interpret some of the answers. For example, I marked I never use a monster builder to create monsters. It's not for lack of interest, it's because none of the existing monster builders come up to my minimum standards.

Ditto. Seems like there were quite a few questions on there just like that one. Questions that seem like their meant to reinforce pre-made assumptions rather than seek meaningful data. I marked almost all of the "digital" type questions exactly the same as you did. But, if there were simple to use and worthwhile applications out there that did exactly what I want for my game, you bet I'd be using them.