D&D 5E (2024) Wizards of the Coast promises to release more “CRPGs that are going to be as serious as BG3” without Larian

[Yaarel]

I disagree, the only good D&D movie so far (HAT) has been the only one that actually felt anything like a D&D adventure. And I think the movie works because of, not in spite of, that feel.

The character relationships to each other and to their homebase (Neverwinter) are developed enough. The adventure is organic.

I thought we were talking about a video game?

The same need for narrative context applies, even if D&D adventures and videogames are more forgiving.

A series probably shouldn’t try to feel like an adventure, I agree.

Yeah.

In the era of network TV you could maybe have pulled off a highly episodic series where each episode was a self-contained “one shot” and ended with the party back at the Yawning Portal or whatever. Maybe build in a seasonal narrative arc where the same BBEG is behind a lot of the problems the heroes deal with in their one-shot delves that season and subtly build to a confrontation with them in the finale.

"Monster of the week" works fine. The show Supernatural comes to mind. The two brothers are very well developed as characters within a context of relationships. I guess the show is a police procedural of a kind.

But, in the current Netflix-style streaming series era, I agree that the best bet would probably be a generic prestige drama that happened to take place in (insert your favorite campaign setting here).

Yeah.

But I do still think such a series would need something to make it feel like D&D. Not the adventure structure, but something besides just the window dressing.

Maybe part of the feel of "D&D" is character customization? Perhaps this translates into very different kinds of characters working together? So it is more likely a viewer will find at least one of the characters relatable.

 

[Charlaquin]

The character relationships to each other and to their homebase (Neverwinter) are developed enough. The adventure is organic.

Well, yeah. Obviously it wouldn’t work otherwise.

"Monster of the week" works fine. The show Supernatural comes to mind. The two brothers are very well developed as characters within a context of relationships. I guess the show is a police procedural of a kind.

Yeah, unfortunately that episodic structure requires a large number of episodes per season and a frequent release schedule (weekly if you want literal monster of the week), which just isn’t how modern prestige streaming series are made. I assume because of the different financial pressures and incentives than network TV had. It’s a shame, I think the network TV structure made for a better viewer experience. But, for better or worse that era is behind us, and I doubt we’ll see it return.

Maybe part of the feel of "D&D" is character customization? Perhaps this translates into very different kinds of characters working together? So it is more likely a viewer will find at least one of the characters relatable.

Character customization is absolutely one of the things that can convey a strong D&D feel, and I think any D&D video game should strongly consider having customizable characters. Obviously that’s not an option for movies or TV/streaming series. I do think the “adventuring party” is probably an important element there. A large cast of characters from diverse backgrounds with strong personalities working together towards a common goal. DAD: HAT had it, LotR had it.

Amusingly, the Warlock game being discussed in the other thread seems to eschew both character customization and companion characters. And they’re not trying to emulate the tabletop via dice rolls or RPG mechanics. Seems like it’ll be relying on setting and lore alone to create the feeling of being a D&D game, which… I mean, maybe they’ll pull it off, but it does seem like they’re making it harder on themselves than they need to with those choices.

 

[ECMO3]

I disagree, the only good D&D movie so far (HAT) has been the only one that actually felt anything like a D&D adventure. And I think the movie works because of, not in spite of, that feel.

I am with you on this. I saw all the D&D movies and HAT is the only one that actually feels like an adventure.

They almost made parts of it a bit cheesy in that way.

It also may be part of why it wasn't a big hit and in fact underperformed.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

I am with you on this. I saw all the D&D movies and HAT is the only one that actually feels like an adventure.

They almost made parts of it a bit cheesy in that way.

It also may be part of why it wasn't a big hit and in fact underperformed.

I think it just had poor timing on when it came out and who it competed with

 

[Zardnaar]

I think it just had poor timing on when it came out and who it competed with

Wrong year. They probably couldn't wait a year.

That was one problem. Other 2 big ones were its a D&D movie. And its tone copying Guardians of the Galaxy/MCU.

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Oboy more I over the top drama dark GOT style choices and less heroic stories. Pfft!......can I just have my heroes being heroes please.

What are you referring to with this?

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Wrong year. They probably couldn't wait a year.

That was one problem. Other 2 big ones were its a D&D movie. And its tone copying Guardians of the Galaxy/MCU.

Those were not problems it reviewed very well.

 

[Zardnaar]

Those were not problems it reviewed very well.

It matters with money. I waant claiming the movie was bad.

 

[Misanthrope Prime]

IIRC its budget was also inflated by COVID era precautions. Had it been made before the pandemic or a few years after it may have been considered a hit if it would have cost less to produce an otherwise identical film.