Which RPG designers don't play RPGs? Are they evil?

[Psion]

As for Monte's claim that the problem he identifies is more common in non-d20 games, I wonder how he could possibly know that! :\

When you are involved in the industry and you go to lots of con, you hear things.

OTOH, Monte has been known to speculate and make assertions from his perspective.

But then, I have to agree, many gaming products I have received for review make it apparent to me that the author, while they may game, obviously do not use or intend to use the products they provide.

 

[HiLiphNY]

Hell No! Blacklist first, ask questions later!!!


Mmmm. . .can ya smell that? That's the McCarthy-esq stench of a lynch mob!

 

[eyebeams]

I really like Monte Cook's work and his essays, but that essay serves as a rare instance of him . . . fumbling. I've never met or worked with a writer/designer who doesn't game. Ever. I have met folks who wished they could game more, but even then these people get together something fairly regularly.

 

[Scarbonac]

Break 'em onna rack or burn 'em at the stake, but blacklist?


Sweet Lord, NO!

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Something I would have a very easy time believing is that there are authors/designers who playtest with a small group that they've gamed with for years. This would lead into some bad habits as the group would have a certain style of gaming that wouldn't take into account how other groups played.

So a designer could work with a group that's big on stealth and detecting traps and overlook more "action" oriented play. So they produce a product that has insane puzzles but easy combats.

That being said, I would love to hear even anecdotal evidence that the module in the Epic Level Handbook was playtested, beacuse in all seriousness I want to know how a party was supposed to defeat

Spoiler

that dragon with +7 DR when a 23rd level party can't even afford +6 weapons according to the purchasing rules in the book

.

 

[JeffB]

I know of at least one writer who produces adventures for a major d20 publisher, but loathes d20. He plays an earlier edition of DnD. His material is "translated" into 3.5 by editors.

I believe I know who you are talking about and his products are highly regarded...In fact I *think* one of his products won an Ennie a couple of years ago..or was at least nominated for it...

 

[Tinner]

Your info is incorrect

Kevin Siembieda of Palladium Books no longer games. And it shows when you look at the mess that is the Palladium rules system. Palladium badly needs a rules overhaul. And a d20 version of Rifts!

I won't argue whether or not Palladium is a good system or not. It is what it is.
However, your assertion that Kevin S. "no longer games" is plainly false.
Kevin was a special guest GM running Rifts at Origins this year. If that wasn't "gaming" then what was it?
He HAS explained that the pressures of running a business the size of Palladium have kept him from gaming as regularly as he would like, but to say that he "no longer games" is simply not correct.

Oh yeah ... and the whole blacklist concept is asinine.
If a designer can make a great game that I have fun playing what does it matter if he games or not? I don't care if the cook at the restaurant is a Vegan, as long as I get my steak well done.

 

[Psion]

I know of at least one writer who produces adventures for a major d20 publisher, but loathes d20.

If you spoke in past tense, it sounds like you would be talking about Kuntz. But his style shined though and were not well received by the current audience. Which as near as I can tell is why he didn't publish the finale of his series with the same company.

That said, I have no big issue or shame if the editor/developer did most of the "finishing" work. From my understanding, this is not a rare thing at all. And the issue is usually not just old-schoolism. Often, the author does not have a good enough grasp of d20 to turn out a product that will pass muster with today's d20 audience.

 

[Piratecat]

I see no problem with an "idea" author and a "mechanics" author. Truth is, I'm a heck of a lot more annoyed by designers who create new rules systems and then don't rigorously playtest them. 2e AD&D was chock full of products that clearly never got playtested. Less so with 3e, but they're still out there. Those drive me nuts.

 

[hong]

That being said, I would love to hear even anecdotal evidence that the module in the Epic Level Handbook was playtested, beacuse in all seriousness I want to know how a party was supposed to defeat

Spoiler

that dragon with +7 DR when a 23rd level party can't even afford +6 weapons according to the purchasing rules in the book

.

Spoiler

+5 dragonbane.