When you're the only one who likes what you like

[merelycompetent]

In defense of what was said in the OP, D&D is the standard in RPGs, and 4.0E is the current edition and the one that is supported most by WotC. All things being equal, there is good reason to upgrade and play the current version.

However there is familiarity with familiarity, and 4.0E is more of a drastic change than any other previous edition. So some people will embrace new Coke, and some insist on their Coke Classic.

I gave 4.0E a fair shot, and the game grew on me (no fungus joke please). But still, I prefer 3.5E because of content and my personal preferences and playing style.

I hope that I did not come across as critical of your gaming preferences. If I did, I sincerely apologize. I tried to remove any edition preference from my response to avoid that, and instead focused on the OP's relationship with his friends. I think if you're having fun, and the other people at the table are having fun, then you're doing it right. No matter what edition you're playing.

 

[Bumbles]

However, for a seemingly great number of people, it doesn't scratch the D&D itch properly. Whatever the individual's reason, there is something about 4E that doesn't quite 'fit'.

And for others, it's like my cat getting its ears scratched--total bliss. Which aside from the contented purring isn't likely to get noticed from afar

And at the risk of sounding like I'm flaming - the one gripe with 4E that I just haven't been able to overcome yet - rules ambiguity. If only they were written more clearly! I'm so sick of being caught out because my DM's interpretation of the rules doesn't match my own.

Sadly, I'm afraid this is not a gripe you'll be spared from with ANY RPG. I've seen GM's flat out ignore things written explicitly in the rules/background. Which while sometimes can fall under the auspices of GM preference, can also sometimes feel like the rug is being pulled out from underneath you.

 

[Rechan]

I think if you're having fun, and the other people at the table are having fun, then you're doing it right. No matter what edition you're playing.

Well it's not just "We're in the middle of playing, having fun". It's before the game's in swing. One of the players was flipping through the magical items, complaining because "Gauntlets of Ogre Power only work once, to do damage? That's so weak. That's not what they're supposed to DO!" Again and again. There's no fun being had at this moment, ne? And that began the whole "Yeah it's totally like WoW" circular discussion.

One player is a total Rolemaster fan, another is still in love with 3.5 and is lusting over Pathfinder, and the other two (one of whom was the aforementioned magical item ranter) are 1e/2e vets who never saw 3e.

 

[SteveC]

In this case, I'm moving away in two months. So, I'm only continuing to do so in order of keeping peace/keep hanging out with them. Trying to hit reset and try something else would be pointless since I'd only get, max, 8 sessions to teach it, iron it out, get things settled and then have to hand it over to someone else.

Well. AT least I don't feel alone, given this thread.

Honestly then, I'd suggest doing something else. Summer movies, watch some DVDs, board games, all of that. When you're leaving a group the thing to hope for is to leave on this fantastic high note where everyone talks about it for years. Holding on and not being too annoyed with them for the last couple months would not be my agenda. I don't suppose any of them post here? If so, I'd suggest that they not be jerks for the last two months their friend will be around. If I could put up with a RIFTS game for a friend in a similar situation, they can too.

Good luck,
--Steve

 

[I'm A Banana]

I'm not saying that the opinions aren't legitimate. But it's starting to seem like my like isn't legitimate. Me, I adore the system. So it feels like there's no where I can go - not my friends, not online gaming friends in casual conversation, not online forums - where what I like isn't being trashed. It's a culmination of becoming a joke or thing of contention everywhere I look.

It's starting to really hurt my feelings.

Dude, don't worry about it. D&D is Serious Business. 4e is a fine game. Worst-case scenario, just remind yourself that everyone has guilty pleasures. Some people watch reality TV. Some people listen to Britney Spears. Some people eat fast food. You play 4e. It might not be what the elite partake of, but you like it, it does it for you, and you shouldn't have to apologize to anyone for that.

As for liking things that no one else likes....well, I like D&D. 95% of the people I know would be bored to tears sitting in a room pretending to be an elf for four hours a week. It's not like you can play ANY edition of D&D without that aspect of it, and I love it.

Also, it pays to make good use of the internet. If ever there was something made for matching up little niches, the internet is it. I mean, that's the big thing pointed to by the furry community as a great uniter -- and if ever there was a niche, it's the furry community.

You like 4e. That's fine. I dork out over Final Fantasy games. I don't apologize for it. It's just part of what I love.

 

[jdrakeh]

This happens to me all the time. I'm a fan of many old systems, but finding anyone interested in playing them is a long slow task that has involved a lot of issues along the way and building up a bunch of different gaming groups with only a few players in common between them.

Truth! I prefer mostly OOP or obscure games and have the same issues. I could, I guess, just switch up for something more mainstream but games like D&D 3e or 4e (neither of which are bad games) just don't scratch the same itches for as, say, Powers & Perils or Harn Master.

 

[Rechan]

I dork out over Final Fantasy games. I don't apologize for it. It's just part of what I love.

You and the country of Japan.

 

[Wormwood]

I have the inverse of the OP's problem:

My two groups have embraced 4e so completely that no other version---or RPG---is even considered.

And I'll admit that's a little annoying for me. What were once *gaming* groups (White Wolf, Marvel, etc) are now *D&D only* groups.

That's not what I signed up for.

 

[I'm A Banana]

You and the country of Japan.

Truth be told, I like a lot of weird things that are bizarrely popular in Japan.

Tonkatsu.
Anime.
um...Tentacles?

 

[Rechan]

I have the inverse of the OP's problem:

My two groups have embraced 4e so completely that no other version---or RPG---is even considered.

My gut says it's a fad.

4e is not even a year old. They haven't ran it through the paces.

I can't imagine a group who are as widely experienced in terms of multiple systems would set fire to their alternate-system gaming books in favor of The New Thing.

Besides, 4e is not the Dresden Files RPG, therefore it is not the best.