Puggins
Explorer
This was posted in the Paizo 4e forum. I figure that most people who read this forum already know who Logue is, but for those who don't, he's one of the best new adventure authors to come around in a while. He's written the Chimes at Midnight trilogy in Dungeon, the Eyes of the Lich Queen Eberron megamodule, and three highly regarded Game Mastery Modules under Paizo.
Hi everyone, my name is Nick...I'm a 4E freelancer/playtester.
"Hi Nick!"
I've been absolutely avoiding saying anything about my freelancery for 4E for a long time now, mostly because I was pretty sure I wasn't allowed to even hint at it. In fact I took this to a crazed level of feigning lack of understanding about the game (hence a lot of my comments you've seen on these boards). Okay, so yeah, it's about time I let people know, since now I know I can let people know after catching up on my emails today.
First off: I got *the* email! It said exactly what Andy Collins said it said (over on Enworld), nothing more. I was just touting Rodney's praises on the "Another Playtester" thread, so while we are on the topic of good people:
Andy Collins is one of the finest human beings I've ever met. He is compassionate, brilliant, generous, wise, and full of love for the game. He is, quite frankly, one of the world's best game designers, and he has a bright and glorious soul that exudes kindness, warmth, and strength of spirit. He is not disingenuous or duplicitous. Nor does he conspire to murder our childhood love of D&D. He is a committed designer working hard to make the game better for as many people as possible.
I am allowed to disclose things about the new edition I like so here it is...Nick's very most favorite thing about 4E:
The DMG This is quite frankly the best book on roleplaying I've read in my entire life. It is. It is great. I love it. Not only are non-combat encounters and traps truly interesting now and backed up by awesome mechanics, but the book contains some of the strongest advice I've ever read on how to step behind the screen and rock out a good gaming session.
I hope you all understand that being under an NDA but being allowed to discuss things to a very non-specific extent is a little confusing to ittle ole me, so I don't want to get wrapped up in a maelstrom of 4E discussion.
I have too much work to do to get sucked into this message board. The fact that I need to pump out 5,000 words a day until May in order to meet all my deadlines for Paizo, WotC and Open Design (check out Blood of the Gorgon on Open Design!!!...shameless plug) pretty much ensures that I am no longer a man but rather a typing-monkey (I am a HUMAN BEING, I am NOT an ANIMAL!!!), I just can't be online all the time rapping about stuff. Not to mention I don't really know what I am allowed to rap about and what not.
My advice on 4E can be summed up as this: Remember, it's not finished yet. Give it a chance. Pick it up and read it in the store. You may really enjoy what you see there. It won't be for everyone, but it might be for you. If you want faster game play and lots of new combat options no matter what class you're playing then this game delivers the goods.
