Weaknessess of Computer RPGs

[Uder]

I've never had to restart a whole campaign because of a game-stopping bug. I've had the occasional crash, sure, but caffeine is much quicker than waiting for a patch.

I've never had a conversation come up twice (or more!) *verbatim* between a PC and an NPC in a PnP game.

In PnP, you can use all of the options in the books, not just the ones the designers felt were convenient/within their skill/within their deadline.

I've never been required to pay $50 just to get into a campaign. Likewise, I've never been in a game with a monthly fee.

 

[Falkus]

I've never had to restart a whole campaign because of a game-stopping bug. I've had the occasional crash, sure, but caffeine is much quicker than waiting for a patch.

On the other hand, I've never had a DM or player throw a fit and walk out while playing a CRPG.

The advantages of a CRPG is you don't have to worry about getting a group together, which is good for a guy like me, who only has maybe half a dozen people in the area who play RPGs.

 

[Romnipotent]

my right index finger doesn't get tired in mass combat in tradtional pen and paper games.
And I dont get nose bleeds either! (Warcraft 3, air conditioning, tension... etc)

 

[Steel_Wind]

I believe the principal strengths of a good CRPG are:

• tremendous visual depth;
• strong characterizations;
• strong story based play;
• minimal rules interference;
• strong puzzle based play; and,
• convenience
  

The strengths of a face-to-face game are:

• strong social aspect;
• flexibile story/plot on the fly;
• increased simulation possibilities;
• customized; and,
• flexible rules & goals

For those who pooh-pooh the story based and character strengths of a CRPG - I think KotOR offers the best of what the genre does the best.

NWN, while not as strong in its officical campaigns, offered endless replayability with community modules and the DM client - while no panacea, offered a real chance to those with the technical skille to run real RPGs online, albeit with an action emphasis.

While CRPG - by definition - will not have the camaraderie, social aspect and flexibility of a face-to-face game, they do accomplish certain aspects of the game better. To sell them short is being short-sighted. Moreover, as the hobbies progress, it is clear that CRPGs are where the broad based "big money" lies.

 

[Umbran]

I don't care how cool your diorama is, it's not really going to hold a candle to the best in computer graphics.

Hrumph! The day my imagination is beat out by a computer is the day I stop dreaming. If my mind can't conjure up better images than a machine, I might as well have a frontal lobotomy and sit and drool for the rest of my life.

Pardon me, while I go sing a chorus of "John Henry"...

 

[Uder]

On the other hand, I've never had a DM or player throw a fit and walk out while playing a CRPG.

Seen it in MMOGs, never in a group I've been in though thankfully.

 

[Sundragon2012]

Hrumph! The day my imagination is beat out by a computer is the day I stop dreaming. If my mind can't conjure up better images than a machine, I might as well have a frontal lobotomy and sit and drool for the rest of my life.

I just might sig that....very nice indeed.



Chris

 

[NewLifeForm]

The problem at hand...

Is that the social interaction element we all love so much is the element that 3 million+ WoW, FFXI and other MMORPG players couldn't give a rust monster's rear about. Likewise, we are the minority, the imagineers. The rest of humanity would very much like to have us design things for them. The imaginations of mankind are like rocks, and only a few with attention, care and effort, turn out worthwhile gems.

I would love to see Table Top RPGs address this by taking more cues from online games. Graphics, ease of play, some of the same terminology (What warrior wouldn't wanna be able to pull aggro off of his wizard buddy in a Table Top RPG), and more internet interaction between players (maybe company organized play by email campaigns that play online but require you to own the hardcover rules.

I'm actually in the process of working on something like this write now as a homebrew. Hopefully I can finish it and sell the idea or publish before MMORPGs give way to something else.

NewLifeForm

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

This is just my opinion, but the only reason I would play a CRPG is if it's not possible to meet my friends for gaming. (For instance, if I wanted to play DnD on Wednesday, when my gaming group is busy, then that's a good time to indulge in a CRPG.)

The gaming engine isn't as smart or flexible as a DM. However, some CRPGs have very good storylines written by professional authors, which is nice, even if it doesn't make up for not having a real DM.

 

[Hussar]

Is that the social interaction element we all love so much is the element that 3 million+ WoW, FFXI and other MMORPG players couldn't give a rust monster's rear about. Likewise, we are the minority, the imagineers. The rest of humanity would very much like to have us design things for them. The imaginations of mankind are like rocks, and only a few with attention, care and effort, turn out worthwhile gems.

I would love to see Table Top RPGs address this by taking more cues from online games. Graphics, ease of play, some of the same terminology (What warrior wouldn't wanna be able to pull aggro off of his wizard buddy in a Table Top RPG), and more internet interaction between players (maybe company organized play by email campaigns that play online but require you to own the hardcover rules.

I'm actually in the process of working on something like this write now as a homebrew. Hopefully I can finish it and sell the idea or publish before MMORPGs give way to something else.

NewLifeForm

This sort of thing already exists in the form of OpenRPG, Fantasy Grounds, Ghost Orb, Kloogewerks and I'm sure a number of other programs. What would be nice to see is those programs given a bit more official recognition from the RPG companies. IIRC there was an online game of Scarred Lands floating around out there, but, every other game is basically grass roots. If WOTC stepped up to the plate, provided an online chat platform tailored to running PnP DnD, IMHO, it would be just jammy. While you may not be able to play with your buddies on a Wednesday night, maybe you can make online buddies to play with from all over the planet. My current group has players on four continents. Makes for some interesting interaction.