Who are these guys: Rob Heinsoo, Andy Collins, James Wyatt

[TerraDave]

Perhaps the most important thing to know about 4th edition (from a slide in the WotC presentation):

Design Team: Rob Heinsoo, Andy Collins, James Wyatt

Developers: Rich Baker, Logan B., Bruce Cordell, Gwen Krestel, Mike Mearls, David Noonan, etc, etc, etc/

I know some of the developers (which seems to include all of the full time staff, hence the etc, etc.), and can guess at some of their influance, but Heinsoo, Collins, Wyatt. Hardly know ya. Unearthed Arcana? Oriental Adventures?

Who are these guys??

 

[Kunimatyu]

Andy Collins as a major 4E designer -- anyone concerned?

Was anyone else at all concerned when they saw the 4E credits and Andy Collins was listed as a lead designer?

While I'm sure he's a great guy in person etc etc, the books I remember Collins designing were often poorly balanced (Complete Divine, looking at you here), and while I've heard a good bit of positive buzz about the other big WotC designers, I've never heard anything really positive about Collins' design work, specifically.

Are there really good books that Collins has been lead designer for, or is that twinge of worry in my gut not going to go away?

 

[borc killer]

Was anyone else at all concerned when they saw the 4E credits and Andy Collins was listed as a lead designer?

0% concerned.

In fact he is the reason I am really looking forward to 4e and the DnDInsider.

 

[Grazzt]

All have done work for WotC (esp Collins and Wyatt). Wyatt did the Oriental Adventures book. Collins is credited with Unearthed Arcana.

Pen-paper.net:

Heinsoo: http://pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=279

Collins: http://pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=403

Wyatt: http://pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=22

 

[Glyfair]

Are there really good books that Collins has been lead designer for, or is that twinge of worry in my gut not going to go away?

Why not just browse his credits here. Lots of good stuff.

The only book his is listed as a "lead" in was Races of Stone, and that was lead developer.

 

[borc killer]

Andy's personal site:
http://www.andycollins.net

You should note that this is his PERSONAL site. Right now he has some political views up on the main page some may not agree with but read his campaigns and his posts on the boards.

 

[glass]

Was anyone else at all concerned when they saw the 4E credits and Andy Collins was listed as a lead designer?

A little. Not because of the stuff he has designed, but because of Sage Advice/The FAQ.


glass.

 

[Kunimatyu]

That's not a bad list -- mayhaps I shouldn't be concerned, then.

 

[Shawn_Kehoe]

That's not a bad list -- mayhaps I shouldn't be concerned, then.

Besides, as I understand the division of labour ... designers come up with the mechanics, development makes sure they are balanced.

 

[Wormwood]

0% concerned.

In fact he is the reason I am really looking forward to 4e and the DnDInsider.

Yep, he's one of the reason's I'm hopeful about 4e.

His Tactics & Tips musings about per-day character abilities and fun-stopping effects such as sundering and petrification showed the exact type of insight that I *want* to see in 4e.

More fun, less dogmatic adherence to 'the way it's always been done'.

He has my support, which I felt needed to be said even if it did mean bumping a thread like this one.