RSDancey replies to Goodman article (Forked Thread: Goodman rebuttal)

[thecasualoblivion]

I wonder though, that if WotC can incorporate the computer "as" the table top, does it change the landscape of the RPG? You can see them attempting that now. Success along this avenue would change the way business was done as more and more companies produce products to support and cash in on that success.

I am not saying that the computer as a table top immediately surplants the magic of what we have today. But if successful, you can see that at some point it could become the norm, and change how pencil and paper RPG's are played.

I don't think the computer can replace the tabletop. The Character Builder has me starting to think the computer might be able to replace the books. What the Builder does is to combine being a reference(I find it outshines the Compendium in this regard) while actually doing what you would use the books to do. See what this game looks like if we get an Adventure/Encounter builder.

 

[Piratecat]

I've just closed several of the other threads. Thanks to everyone who's working to keep this one friendly, interesting and on topic.

 

[MadMaligor]

I don't think the computer can replace the tabletop. The Character Builder has me starting to think the computer might be able to replace the books.

Unfortunately I think it can. Again, not what I would want to happen. But the computer really does have huge advantages that a traditional table top does not, while having no disadvantages save the face to face magic many have come to enjoy. Even that can be countered as comps become more powerul, vidoe conferencing becomes commonplace, and bandwith issues are solved.

This is of course off topic a bit, but plays into the idea that the 4E and 3E comparisons are apples and oranges.

 

[thecasualoblivion]

Unfortunately I think it can. Again, not what I would want to happen. But the computer really does have huge advantages that a traditional table top does not, while having no disadvantages save the face to face magic many have come to enjoy. Even that can be countered as comps become more powerul, vidoe conferencing becomes commonplace, and bandwith issues are solved.

This is of course off topic a bit, but plays into the idea that the 4E and 3E comparisons are apples and oranges.

Unless you are a full-bore computer person, a computer is going to be klunky and slower to use than just doing it the old fashioned way. While a computer savvy person can play D&D on a laptop without slowing the game down, a lesser person can not. The Character Builder on the other hand is easier and faster to use to build characters to almost anyone who is remotely familiar with computers, and it is easier to reference on the whole than a stack of books and Dragon PDFs.

 

[xechnao]

Unfortunately I think it can. Again, not what I would want to happen. But the computer really does have huge advantages that a traditional table top does not, while having no disadvantages save the face to face magic many have come to enjoy. Even that can be countered as comps become more powerul, vidoe conferencing becomes commonplace, and bandwith issues are solved.

This is of course off topic a bit, but plays into the idea that the 4E and 3E comparisons are apples and oranges.

No digital media can replace personal contact and its possibilities to play a game developed for that matter.

 

[MadMaligor]

Unless you are a full-bore computer person, a computer is going to be klunky and slower to use than just doing it the old fashioned way. While a computer savvy person can play D&D on a laptop without slowing the game down, a lesser person can not. The Character Builder on the other hand is easier and faster to use to build characters to almost anyone who is remotely familiar with computers, and it is easier to reference on the whole than a stack of books and Dragon PDFs.

I agree with you whole heartedly at this point. But the emphasis on things like the Character Builder are just starting points, or building blocks. Which is pretty darn smart if you ask me. Integrating them into traditional table tops is just the beginning.

For example I now use the monster builder to build and/or print some of my creations while referencing with the compendium. Its alot easier than going through all the books. Its still limited, and has yet to become elite and solo friendly. But that will change quickly.

 

[AllisterH]

They don't. Last I checked, the age group that reads the most comics is 18-20something.

Exactly.

It's actually a big "gloom and doom" trait on comic book boards. It even gets worse...the age group is 20-30 and tracking upwards et there doesn't seem to be anything either of the big two companies can do...

You would've thought with the monster movies they released last year (Iron Man and Dark Knight) that there would be an upswing in sales for those two titles.

NADA..absolutely nothing and really, if having the 3rd or 4th most successfu movie of all time can't get people to read Batman in higher numbers, they are screwed..

 

[MadMaligor]

No digital media can replace personal contact and its possibilities to play a game developed for that matter.

I would disagree, but that would take us down a different thread path.

 

[MichaelSomething]

Exactly.

It's actually a big "gloom and doom" trait on comic book boards. It even gets worse...the age group is 20-30 and tracking upwards et there doesn't seem to be anything either of the big two companies can do...

You would've thought with the monster movies they released last year (Iron Man and Dark Knight) that there would be an upswing in sales for those two titles.

NADA..absolutely nothing and really, if having the 3rd or 4th most successfu movie of all time can't get people to read Batman in higher numbers, they are screwed..

At this point, Batman is more then a comic book. It's an entire brand name all in itself. TV shows, the said movies, action figures and a bunch of other stuff will keep Batman in public culture.

 

[ssampier]

online activities replacing social ones

I think the "forces" of Dancey are consumer habits. I read an article a few years ago that says that every social hobby and sport is down from badminton to soccer and poker.

Time is the enemy, not MMORPGs. People lack the time and energy to make a world, create adventures, find a place to play, schedule time with 3 or 4 other people, and then find the time to play.

It's much simpler to turn on the computer when and where you want to play. You can even play for short intervals, 15 to 20 minutes, each day if you want.

It's really not the same thing as RPGs, but can fill a need. My family and friends are trying to get me on PS3 network so we can talk and play online. We live about 10 miles radius from each other; sheeze.