The thing about 4e I've found that makes it seem (be it true or not, is rather hard to say - which is actually the point) very small and isolated is that there isn't a large group to be found somewhere. It looks like there are a bunch scattered here, there and everywhere. (snip)
That's a better way of saying what I said up-thread.
(snip) I've found you guys over here on ENworld, a few active people on the GitPG forums and 4enclave (that name though, if anything could make it feel like 4e was dying and under assault, that name would be it!). Admittedly, I'm not that much of a forum enthusiast and I've not gone to rpg.net and have stayed away from WotC* but I can't imagine there being that many active people there - but I could be wrong.
*I left the WotC forums after the aggravation of the h4ters became to much to bear with regards to the enjoyment I was deriving from visiting the forums - that I needed to use an alter browser was the coffin nail.
I think the WotC forums - along with the WotC website - are arguably one of the worst advertisements for D&D as a game and as a hobby. There are just so many damaged people posting there whose chief interest in life seems to be trying to damage others. I believe there was something of a purge - and some came here - but WotC really needs to aggressively clean up their boards.
Yeah, last I checked the h4ters are STILL on the WotC 4e forums! You can still usually get some questions answered in the Q&A, etc, but its not exactly hopping. rpg.net has quite a lot of active posters on 4e, lots of 'lets read' threads, etc. Actually I'd say its the best place to discuss 4e stuff these days, though obviously you can do it here too and get a decent response. (snip)
I agree: RPG.net can be really good for 4E discussions, particularly with the
Let's Read threads. And the modding is sometimes super-aggressive so you don't get posters behaving like they do at the WotC forums.
(snip) Overall, I think 4e is still pretty active. Its obviously not got the attention that 5e has, or PF still has, but for a game that has no active support beyond DDI still being up its certainly the next most active D&D. You can find adventures, get help, people still produce material, etc. That's pretty good, really.
There also seems to be a few active games at Obsidian Portal.
(snip) When I bought a 4e splatbook back in NJ from a FLGS, the store OWNER literally mocked the product and chided me for buying it. (snip)
There is only one worthwhile reply to that: "Thanks. You've just reminded me I can buy this more cheaply at Amazon!"
(snip) To not dwell or simply commiserate, I've only ever had two problems with 4e.
One is combat time, and this thread has spoken to that such that I feel I have new ideas on how to make it a non-issue next time I run 4e (if I get that chance!).
The other is that the GSL is terrible. (snip)
How does the GSL being terrible - which it is - harm your game? Or are you looking to publish something?
My "problem" with 4E is that it doesn't suit casual players. It's really a system where you have to pay attention and manage your character sheet. That said, I prefer players who do pay attention and can actually manage their character sheet so it's not really a problem.
Also, it has made me an electronic tools addict. I really have no interest in systems that don't have them. I even look at 13th Age - which is so much lighter - and wish there were character and monster builders and also a compendium. I like reading books... but I like searching for information electronically.
(snip) I'm actually finding 13thAge to be a good system to turn to for building out my stuff, especially since it's OGL plus Archmage Engine License. Which incidentally leaves me curious to hear why some of the folks in this thread don't care for the system.
I haven't had a chance to run it yet but I still have plans for a Midnight campaign powered by 13th Age. I really like the game but I'm not a fan of the world which means, if I want to run 13th Age in a world I like, I have to put the work into working out equivalents/replacements for the Icons. Or not.