The Rick James School of DMing

[Darrin Drader]

Grow up. If my criticism of your favorite companies is inherently bogus, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about. As for charges of racism: I'm not using any material that David Chappelle did not use himself.

So what if Dave Chappel uses it? Comedy Central also airs the Daily Show, and we all know how against the rules the material from that show is.

Oh yeah, the rules:

Keep it civil: Don't engage in personal attacks, name-calling, or blanket generalizations in your discussions. Say how you feel or what you think, but be careful about ascribing motives to the actions of others or telling others how they "should" think. People seeking to engage and discuss will find themselves asking questions, seeking clarifications, and describing their own opinion. People seeking to "win an argument" sometimes end up taking cheap shots, calling people names, and generally trying to indimidate others. My advice: don't try to win.

Personal attacks, name calling, and blanket statements. You have to realize that there will be people on these boards who either work for or with the companies your little joke singles out. That constitutes a personal attack. Of course the specific companies you mention are examples of your blanket statement, so that counts as two infractions to rule numbr one.

 

[msd]

As for charges of racism: I'm not using any material that David Chappelle did not use himself.

Which, with due respect, has nothing to do with the question of whether the content is racist.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Hijack? You've just flagrantly insulted two companies, not to mention anyone publishing under the OGL with your blanket statement, and no one is supposed to take offense?

Not only that, but I take it as insulting anyone who USES third party material, too.

 

[haakon1]

Chappelle's Show

I'm Rick James b***h!!

That particular line is a popular tagline from a skit on Chappelle's Show, on the Comedy Central cable network in the US. It's gone from being a funny line to being a ubiquitous line for: I'm important, you're not, so do my bidding.

Perfect fit to the concept here.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

A Polite Rebuttal

So what if Dave Chappel uses it? Comedy Central also airs the Daily Show, and we all know how against the rules the material from that show is.

The material on this thread is appropriately modified for public use.

Personal attacks, name calling, and blanket statements. You have to realize that there will be people on these boards the either work for or with the companies your little joke singles out. That constitutes a personal attack. Of course the specific companies you mention are examples of your blanket statement, so that counts as two infractions to rule numbr one.

A corporation is not a person.

Despite your emotional response, suggesting that these companies produce unbalanced material does not constitute a personal attack.

Frankly, Spells & Magic lists a variety of magical items (esp. staffs) that are far too powerful for their listed costs. Furthermore, the Quintessential series by Mongoose is riddled with errors. Additionally, Bastion is loaded with poor artwork and Mongoose has created level-based spells that mimic epic level castings.

In my opinion, these companies have indeed produced a fair bit of questionable work and there are many gamers who agree with me.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Issues of Political-Correctness

Which, with due respect, has nothing to do with the question of whether the content is racist.

True, but none of the material on this thread is racist.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Charges of OGL Bigotry Aside ....

Not only that, but I take it as insulting anyone who USES third party material, too.

I occasionally use third-party material, and I'm not insulted.

 

[Darrin Drader]

Despite your emotional response, suggesting that these companies produce unbalanced material does not constitute a personal attack.

Stating that your thread is against the site rules (which it is), is not an emotional response. I am simply stating that I find the contents of your post personally offensive.

Frankly, Spells & Magic lists a wide variety of magical items (esp. staffs) that are far too powerful for their listed costs. Additionally, Bastion is loaded with questionable artwork and Mongoose has created level-based spells that mimic epic level castings.

So you're basing your attack on one book that was released two years ago? Since when was everything produced by WotC 100% balanced? So you're saying that a book released two years ago by a company other than WotC contains some unbalanced material? Oh please, sir, say it isn't so.

And by questionable artwork, you mean that you don't like it. Art is a completely subjective medium, so saying that it is questionable just means that it doesn't fit with your personal tastes. Besides, Bastion stopped using that artist entirely, and the vast majority of their products feature completely different artists that are more palatable to the gaming public.

Furthermore, the Complete series by Mongoose is riddled with errors.

Again, WotC books aren't. Just look at the John Cooper review of Monster Manual III.

In my opinion, these companies have indeed produced a fair bit of questionable work and there are many gamers who agree with me.

Hmm, Bastion has either been nominated or won several ENnies in past years and Mongoose moves more books than any other company publishing under the OGL. With records like that, they must be crap indeed!

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Amicably Responding to a Rant

Stating that your thread is against the site rules (which it is), is not an emotional response. I am simply stating that I find the contents of your post personally offensive.

It is not my intention to offend you. How can we come to a reasonable understanding?

So you're basing your attack on one book that was released two years ago? Since when was everything produced by WotC 100% balanced? So you're saying that a book released two years ago by a company other than WotC contains some unbalanced material? Oh please, sir, say it isn't so.

As I mentioned before, if my critique is truly without merit, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

And by questionable artwork, you mean that you don't like it. Art is a completely subjective medium, so saying that it is questionable just means that it doesn't fit with your personal tastes. Besides, Bastion stopped using that artist entirely, and the vast majority of their products feature completely different artists that are more palatable to the gaming public.

Art is indeed a subjective medium. However, there is such a thing as bad art. Still ... I applaud Bastion's decision to stop promoting Todd Morasch (even though their books are still recycling some of his artwork).

Hmm, Bastion has either been nominated or won several ENnies in past years and Mongoose moves more books than any other company publishing under the OGL. With a record like that, they must be crap indeed!

As I've said numerous times, if my critique is absolutely baseless then you have no problems. Just rest on your laurels and be done with it.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Can we can come to an understanding Mr. Drader ... or not?