Sept 2nd News - I wont be doing Scales of War

[The Little Raven]

They say "you'll be happier not knowing it in advance".

Except that is not what he said at all. You're putting words in his mouth.

The short answer to this question is “no.” The problem is that we’ve mapped out an elaborate plot that covers level 1 all the way through level 30 and there are a number of surprises along the way. Those “grand reveal” moments won’t be nearly as impactful if they’ve leaked out via plot summaries and/or an overview of where the Path is going. I can assure you that the current fears about the lack of a compelling archvillain, or a logically complete structure, or major NPCs, or a real hook are all misguided. Just wait and see!

Nothing about you being happier not knowing, nothing about how you should have fun, nothing about what is fun or unfun. He says "We've got a plot all the way through 30, and we don't want to tip our hand, because we think things will lose their impact if we do. We have what we consider a compelling villain, a logical structure, major NPCs, and a real plot hook. Wait and see." Not a single thing saying "You'll be happier not knowing what's going to happen next."

 

[El Mahdi]

Maybe they will by the end of the AP... no one can be sure without a synopsis.

Goooooooooooooooooal! . . . We have a winner.

 

[Herremann the Wise]

Except that is not what he said at all. You're putting words in his mouth.

Like you did with Celtavian, over-interpreting his words on a previous thread? Black pots, kettles, glass houses and all that. I think you just naturally like being argumentative.
In this case, I think the natural implication is that Randy thinks they will be producing a better product (one that will consumer will be happier with), if they don't produce an outline revealing their "grand reveal". Fenes interpretation of that would seem to be in the bounds of acceptability - particularly in relation to the subject as a whole. Essentially The Little Raven, I think you are wrong on this one.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[Qualidar]

Here's my guess on what they don't want to spoil:
With 16 more months to go, I expect that the later parts of SoW will include monsters from MM2 (and maybe 3), as well as things from other books yet to be published or even announced.

I think you've hit the nail on the head there. What they really don't want to spoil is the design direction of future products. Also, even though it makes logical sense that they'd be including material from upcoming books, I wouldn't doubt that they anticipate an outraged cry from people "being made to buy the new books."

 

[Wonka]

I think you've hit the nail on the head there. What they really don't want to spoil is the design direction of future products. Also, even though it makes logical sense that they'd be including material from upcoming books, I wouldn't doubt that they anticipate an outraged cry from people "being made to buy the new books."

Except the AP synopsis does not need to go into such details to provide what we are asking about! We dont need to know that BBEG is some new monster from MM2, merely that he EXISTS, and whats hes going to do. We dont need to know what yet-to-be-released class he is, just that he might have "powers yet to be seen". They can give us the information we need and not reveal the new monsters/classes etc they might be using. What the synopsis is supposed to give is a PLOT overview of whats going on, the crunch of it is usually not mentioned.

 

[Ximenes088]

Ah. The sound of umbrage being taken at the flavor of the free ice cream.

Admittedly, none of us have paid a dime for the material we've got so far. And admittedly, WotC isn't doing anything but indicating that they don't plan on creating a product supplement that some people feel is mandatory for their enjoyment. In consequence, we've got some people feeling entitled to the creation of this supplement, to the point that they're feeling actively insulted by someone else's exercise of artistic judgment.

I think Jackson Pollock had fundamentally bad ideas about painting, and his work does absolutely nothing for me. However, it never occurred to me that he was leveling a personal insult at me when he decided to try and kill the representational in art. WotC's trying for an artistic effect with their reveal. Maybe I'll like it, and maybe I won't, but I don't pretend that they're doing this just to mock me.

 

[SSquirrel]

What about if they gave an overview of just the heroic portion? Most people are probably going to run the AP from the beginning in a new game (it is still pretty early in 4Es lifespan after all), so it would make sense to just provide the heroic portion and entice people. Maybe a month prior to the paragon portion starting they release that overview. We're not talking deep info here, more like a couple of paragraphs giving the basic gist of things.

 

[SoulsFury]

This is why I wrote an open letter to Randy Buehler.

This scares me you posted this since you and your wife make up 2 out of every 5 posts... you two don't talk in person?

On topic:
I think there should be some kind of plot line for DMs to follow. I was considering running the SoW but I was waiting for detailed info and now, its not coming for a long time (once all adventures are printed and have paid money for DDI).

 

[Hussar]

SSquirrel - I think that's probably the most reasonable request.

Would teasers for each module be enough to make people happy?

 

[Dire Bare]

That's exactly what I am talking about: We are asking for a synopsis because we want such stuff as DMs - like directors wanting a script before they start shooting the movie. You and others only see "WotC Bashing".

If WotC does not understand that some DMs do not want those surprises, and want a synopsis instead, and if it ignores an easy solution like putting the info in spoiler tags then WoTC is acting stupidly and arrogantly in telling us that we should take their surprises and like them.

That, or they are lieing, and don't have a clue where the path is leading.

Get it now?

Saying that WotC is acting stupidly and arrogantly, and that there is a good chance they are lying . . .

Yeah, that's WotC bashing right there. Pretty unmistakable.

If you post, "I don't agree with this decision or the reasons you give for making it, and I would prefer a synopsis" is a fair opinion to express, and if forwarded to WotC's customer service, constructive criticsism.

If you post, "What?! No synopsis? Well, then, nuts to them cause I won't buy it" is also a valid opinion, although one that strays deeply into the realm of hyperbole, one we visit quite often here on ENWorld.

If you post, "Those fools at WotC! They are stupid, arrogant, and quite possibly deceitful!" well, you are quite unfairly and ignorantly bashing WotC, something we also see quite often here on ENWorld, in particular on this thread.