D&D 4E The internet: 4E can't have it both ways

[Desdichado]

It's worth it to withhold your assent or write in a better option. I'm not going to contribute to yet another situation in which someone can point to a terribly-constructed poll and say "See? These people agree with me!" when we probably don't.

Well, that's quite a bit different than, "I can't vote on this poll because you forgot to check the 'multiple options' box." All that would have done is allowed you to vote both yes and no at the same time, which would have been an even more terribly constructed poll.

If you're going to write in an opinion, write one in, don't just give in to the temptation to pile on snark.

 

[KoshPWNZYou]

To jump past these question, my spider sense is telling me that the D&D brand, through 4E, is being shifted from the demographic of the typical ENWorlder to a younger audience. That is, the design is being changed to reflect the playing sensibilities of this group, and, as well, the presentation is being changed to match the tastes of this group.

I don't think they're targetting a specific demographic. I think they're trying to incorporate as many demographics as they can. Maybe they're introducing design elements that appeal a bit more to a younger audience, but I can't see those elements making the game unplayable for a more mature audience. They're not turning D&D into Chutes & Ladders.

We know there are designers active on these message boards, and more than likely there are others lurking. They must put some stock in our opinion.

 

[crazy_cat]

Where are my sequels?

Snakes on a Boat
Snakes on a Space Station
Snakes in a Building

and

Velociraptors on a Plane

Racoons on a Space shuttle for the win.

"Get those *rude word* racoons off my *rude word* spaceshuttle!!!"

 

[broghammerj]

Neither answer closely matches my opinion. Why should I allow myself to be pigeonholed? That's like having to vote for two laughably bad candidates in an election. It's worth it to withhold your assent or write in a better option. I'm not going to contribute to yet another situation in which someone can point to a terribly-constructed poll and say "See? These people agree with me!" when we probably don't.

So write in your option! You've commented three times with no actual insight into your thoughts. I've been dying to know what makes Dr. Awkward tick.

I am not trying to discern if people are with me or against me. I did make things rather cut and dry because the more options you have, the more people clamor on about how their particular option wasn't there. So instead you get yes or no. Also some people have strongly stated that the internet feedback should be ignored which I find very strange in the current marketing strategy. Everyone seems to think I have initiated this pole with some sort of sinister agenda. Perhaps I have already earned troll status around here

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

 

[tomBitonti]

I don't think they're targetting a specific demographic. I think they're trying to incorporate as many demographics as they can. Maybe they're introducing design elements that appeal a bit more to a younger audience, but I can't see those elements making the game unplayable for a more mature audience. They're not turning D&D into Chutes & Ladders.

The shift to a younger audience is just a feeling ("spider sense") on my part. I presume that a marketing study has been done, with a breakdown of the demographics of the available consumers, and a further estimation of the potential sales by segment. I would love to see the numbers from that study. But I really see a realignment of the game to maximize its sales, and see a shift away from consumers like me to a different, younger, segment.

We know there are designers active on these message boards, and more than likely there are others lurking. They must put some stock in our opinion.

We can hope.

 

[KrazyHades]

Ummm...you DO realize that your survey is studying a VERY biased population, given the question, right?

 

[broghammerj]

Ummm...you DO realize that your survey is studying a VERY biased population, given the question, right?

Yes, and despite that bias 30% think we shouldn't have an impact. If I had included more detailed foils such as, "no, they shouldn't consider input except when it's the overwhelming majority" ala the don't advance Eberron's timeline option then the "no"s would be even higher.....very intriguing.

 

[Anthtriel]

Also some people have strongly stated that the internet feedback should be ignored which I find very strange in the current marketing strategy.

Just because Wizards tells me my opinion matters to them doesn't mean I believe it does, or should.
I don't want them to build D&D as I envision it, I wouldn't buy something I could think of myself.

 

[broghammerj]

Just because Wizards tells me my opinion matters to them doesn't mean I believe it does, or should.

Thats one aspect. From a marketing standpoint it's good to have the consumer think they had a role in development. It awards a sense of ownership.

I don't want them to build D&D as I envision it, I wouldn't buy something I could think of myself.

I think you sell yourself short. Did you encounter problems running previous incarnations of DnD? If you have then you have thought of something to consider for a new edition. Now developing the game mechanics to fix your problem should arguably be left to the professionals.

 

[coyote6]

I voted "No"; I hope they took statements, opinions, etc. posted on the Internet into account earlier in the 4e design process, in crafting their general approach to the revamp.

At this point, though, the general 'Net knows too little about 4e to give good feedback on specific things. We aren't going to know enough about 4e to give decent feedback until it's too late to make good fixes. I really hope 4e doesn't have any half-ass last minute changes.

Where are my sequels?

Right here.