Shared Experiences: Worlds Largest Dungeon, Shackled City or Other?

[Psion]

Just between you and me and the board, I think the WLD works best when taken as individual 'modules' instead of trying to game through the whole Dagwood of a book. But that's just me.

Apparently not, as I think I decided that when I first got the book.

It's nice that Jim (or should I say "jim") wen't out of his way to provide some ways to wrap up regions and present them individually, but it would have been nice if all regions had that treatment, perhaps even easily accessible on the web as a web enhancement. As part of the book would have been even better.

By way of contrast, speaking of another 1-20 campaign, I like that Slavelords of Cydonia, arguably also part of the inescapable paradigm (but in this case, stuck on an alien world instead of a dungeon) provides methods for breaking the adventure up at the end of each section.

 

[Jim Hague]

Jim Hague: How can I be wrong, it is just an opinion and in fact, my opinion. If I like or dislike something it is just an opinion. I really do not expect anyone to change their own opinion of something just based on something someone else says. Read it, if you enjoy it.. Great! If you didn't.. Great!

Well, when you voice an opinion that there was a stated design goal, and you're factually wrong, then you're wrong. And given the tone of your post ('almost as painful to throw as it is to read'), I voiced an informed opinion in response.

Part of what makes being human such a delight is the fact we can have an opinion, you may not agree with it but does not make you any more correct or right then I am. Just another person with an opinion.

I am pretty easy to find on ENWorld's irc chat room, if you wish any other opinions.

Having an opinion is one thing; having an informed opinion is something else entirely. I haven't read Shackled City in its entirety, so I can't really say anything about it one way or another. I realize it's a stretch on the Internet, but as one of the authors of the WLD, I'd appreciate the same consideration in kind. If there's something you don't like, be specific...but don't just come in and bash.

 

[Jim Hague]

Apparently not, as I think I decided that when I first got the book.

Heh.

It's nice that Jim (or should I say "jim") wen't out of his way to provide some ways to wrap up regions and present them individually, but it would have been nice if all regions had that treatment, perhaps even easily accessible on the web as a web enhancement. As part of the book would have been even better.

Indeed...but given AEG's troubles of late, I doubt you'll be seeing such an enhancement, except (hopefully!) as a fan-produced product.

By way of contrast, speaking of another 1-20 campaign, I like that Slavelords of Cydonia, arguably also part of the inescapable paradigm (but in this case, stuck on an alien world instead of a dungeon) provides methods for breaking the adventure up at the end of each section.

I really, really need to flip through that campaign book, it seems...

 

[Vascant]

Jim Hague: You have a very nice day.. Still doesn't change my opinion

 

[Turjan]

Shackled City sells (present tense) quite well. The initial preorders were lower than we had anticipated, but once the buzz was out on the street, sales strengthened and continue to this day. We sell Shackled City fairly regularly and I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes an "Evergreen" product--one that continues to sell month in and month out.

That's good to hear. In the beginning, it was sometimes hard to find (except, of course, in the Paizo store). Anyway, I managed to to get it somewhere .

I think that Age of Worms definitely has the potential to be an even bigger hit--and the buzz isn't just from subscribers. Sales of Dungeon continue to increase month over month, and the Age of Worms is a big part of that success.

That's something I appreciate even more. It's just a matter of personal taste, but I like the 'Age of Worms' story line better than the 'Shackled City' one. If this means that we will see the path and the supplementary material as a printed book some day, I'm happy .

 

[Psion]

Indeed...but given AEG's troubles of late, I doubt you'll be seeing such an enhancement, except (hopefully!) as a fan-produced product.

Considering jim got a new job before that, I wasn't counting on it before tales of AEG's woes came out.

 

[JoeGKushner]

That's good to hear. In the beginning, it was sometimes hard to find (except, of course, in the Paizo store). Anyway, I managed to to get it somewhere .


That's something I appreciate even more. It's just a matter of personal taste, but I like the 'Age of Worms' story line better than the 'Shackled City' one. If this means that we will see the path and the supplementary material as a printed book some day, I'm happy .

I don't want to sound like a "me too" camp, but yeah, the Age of Worms looks to overall have more supplements and little easter eggs (like the ecology of the lizard folk) then Shackled City did. (Although I'm currently running Shackled City!)

 

[Psion]

Jim Hague: How can I be wrong, it is just an opinion and in fact, my opinion. If I like or dislike something it is just an opinion.

That you dislike something is an opinion.

But to be fair, that the design goal was solely to "be big" is an assertion, on that I think Jim is in the position to refute.

 

[Psion]

I don't want to sound like a "me too" camp, but yeah, the Age of Worms looks to overall have more supplements and little easter eggs (like the ecology of the lizard folk) then Shackled City did. (Although I'm currently running Shackled City!)

Well, I think the fact that they had it together enough to put out the Age of Worms Overload campaign booklet is an indication that they are applying lessons learned from doing Shackled City. Hopefully when and if they churn out a Age of Worms hardcover (here's hoping), it will be even better.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Well, I think the fact that they had it together enough to put out the Age of Worms Overload campaign booklet is an indication that they are applying lessons learned from doing Shackled City. Hopefully when and if they churn out a Age of Worms hardcover (here's hoping), it will be even better.

Exactly what I'm thinking. The only thing I'd worry about is that it'll be a bigger book with a bigger price. I'm not one to cry the sky is falling or antyhing as I own a few coffee table style books that costs me a pretty penny, but at this point in the game, I wonder if the buyers are ready for another dose of $70+ gaming goodness?

Then again, as Age of Worms is still going on, and still being supported, the hardcover is probably at least 1 year or more (if ever) off so the gaming landscape may have changed again by then.