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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Alphastream" data-source="post: 5677963" data-attributes="member: 11365">I'm confused as to what the focus of the piece was supposed to be vs. what it ended up being. The article title led me to believe you were writing about organized play. I would have really liked an article about the benefits of organized play, because I love OP. It needs more proponents. Your column was really about D&D organized play and seemed to devote a lot of time on how much you like one type (Pathfinder) over the other (LFR and Encounters). This contradicts something you say in your first paragraph: I would have liked the column to be that way as well. Instead, several times you compare the programs in ways that are biased and incorrect (the declaration that Paizo clearly cares more about OP, for example).There is some terrific organized play out there: Shadowrun Missions, Heroes of Rokugan, Pathfinder, LFR, Spycraft, Lair Assault, Encounters, Ashes of Athas, Living Divine, Living Traveler, Shining Jewel, and others. For many reasons a good portion of the gamer community has formed a bias against organized play / RPGA. The reality is that organized play is full of options and just about any player can find a campaign that fits their style. Perhaps more importantly, organized play provides gamers with the ability to become part of a community. It allows them to be a part of something bigger than themselves and their small group and to contribute to better gaming... often on a global scale.As gamers that enjoy organized play, we can accomplish more if we work as a team. We all have the same problems around informing store owners, motivating DMs, retaining invested players while attracting new and casual players, keeping rules simple, etc. I would very much like to read more from you about organized play but without a bias toward one system. It is fine to have a column on Pathfinder. There is an audience for that and the lessons will carry. It just doesn't do anyone any good to introduce bias and put down other programs. Ideally, our joint hobby grows. People come and play RPGs in stores. They play in cons. They play in their homes. We win when more people join our ranks as gamers, not when either Pathfinder or WotC is crowned victor and all other RPGs fail. That's actually how we lose.</blockquote>

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