Should D&D be sold as a boardgame?

[LostSoul]

I myself think that something more like an actual role-playing game is necessary. In fact I think that the current Basic game is too much like a board game if anything.

I think that all they'd have to do is put in some kind of mechanics for role-playing in the board game. Basically, the rules force you to do what is generally considered "role-playing", like narrating your actions. I have no idea what that would look like, but I'm sure it's possible.

 

[JVisgaitis]

Great thread. As I kid back in the early 80's I loved D&D, but could never grasp it at such a tender age. My father, sister, and myself played the old Dungeon boardgame for hours. We also got a lot of enjoyment out of the old electronic Dungeons & Dragons game. Those games got me started on my way to D&D. I think Heroquest (and maybe Heroscape) might be the modern day versions of those games, but it would still be better to have something branded as D&D that the younglings could play.

 

[William Ronald]

Not only do I think there should be some sort of Basic D&D game, sold in toy stores and aimed at families and children, but I firmly believe that it's the only truly meaningful way to grow the hobby and the RPG market.

There must, must, must be a modern equivalent of the old red box Basic set--and I mean not merely in physical form, but in how it's sold and marketed--or the hobby will continue to slowly dwindle.

I think this is a good idea. So, how does this sound as a successor to the old red box Basic set?

A somewhat streamlined version of the D&D rules that is still compatible with D&D 3.5

Sample characters and rules to create characters.

Support for a limited number of character levels, perhaps leves 1-3 or 1-5?

Miniatures, chits, and dice plus an adventure module that has some opportunity for role playing. Possibly a battle mat.

PDF and online support for the product, including how to transition into D&D 3.5.

I think one issue would be to find some way to make a product like this relatively cheap, perhaps somewhat less than a $30 RPG book. (Maybe try to shoot for around $20 or less.)

 

[Maggan]

Ummmm ... to me, what you are asking for is the current D&D Basic Set?

Why is that not up to scratch?

It's got maps, miniatures, scaled down combat, pregen characters and stuff.

And it retails for around 25 dollars. So what's wrong with that?


/M

 

[jdrakeh]

What we need, gentlemen, is a brand new Talisman tweaked to represent D&D thematically.

 

[jdrakeh]

Ummmm ... to me, what you are asking for is the current D&D Basic Set?

Why is that not up to scratch?

It might be the pre-gen characters and lack of rules for creating your own. The original D&D Basic Sets all had complete character generation rules. Incidentally, I think the reason that a boardgame was mentioned is that boardgames have broad market appeal where RPGs do not.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Not only do I think there should be some sort of Basic D&D game, sold in toy stores and aimed at families and children, but I firmly believe that it's the only truly meaningful way to grow the hobby and the RPG market.

There must, must, must be a modern equivalent of the old red box Basic set--and I mean not merely in physical form, but in how it's sold and marketed--or the hobby will continue to slowly dwindle.

Well, I have seen the basic D&D boxed set in Toys R Us. It's a start. Now if only they'd start carring the D&D minis...

 

[diaglo]

There was something like that as well..

It was called Talisman

 

[diaglo]

Don't forget the old 1981 version "Dungeon" which is very similar to Dungeoneer or Hous on the Hill games but with a static board. I loved this game as a child.

iirc, Dungeon board game first saw print in 1978.

 

[JoeGKushner]

It was called Talisman

Heroquest...

The old Dungeon board game. Heck, I saw that there was a Dungeon boardgame overseas with some fantastic pieces but it's not making it to these shores.