Wondering how important computers are to D&D [rant]

[johnsemlak]

A recent thread have alerted me to how backwards I have become in my playing of D&D.

It appears now no self-respecting D&D'er would show up at a game session with character sheet done by hand. DMs nearly always use a computer mapping program for maps, and many simply spit out their dungeons using a dungeon generator.

Apparently, using a pencil and paper to create a character is now quite passe. A relic of OA&D. That's why the core rules don't come with a 2 inch pencil anymore (as the basic D&D set once did). instead, you are supplied with PCgen and other 'computer support'.

In fact, without computer support, it is now impossible to play D&D. So actually, I haven't played D&D since the 'non-digital' editions (1e I guess).

Now, hey, it's not like I've never used a computer before (duh!). I surf the internet daily (hey I'm a Commnity Supporter at the ENworld website--yipee!), I have an extensive library of pdf rpg products and other stuff, I read online reviews, I buy RPG stuff online, and I have a map of the World of Greyhawk as my desktop wall paper. Oh, and I take part in an online game. But reading that recent thread told me how backwards I still am. I look now at my most recent character sheet, a plain piece of paper scribbled in pencil with the words: Name: xxx Race: xxx Class: xxx str: xx int: xx, etc.

I've never even used etools, and still don't really know what it is. I don't have PCgen, (my PHB didn't come with it for some reason, though I think they used to). So officially, I am not a D&D player.

Oh well, I guess It may be just too late to teach an old dog new tricks. I'm going to go now and take my pencil (if you have forgotten what that is, I think the modern term is 'old graphite-based non-digital writing utensil') and paper (= non-digital display, like a monitor). Oh, and I don't use a computer to calculate stats, I roll these multi-sided objects I have from playing days long ago.

Oh, btw, is D&D still termed a 'pen and paper' RPG?

Later

 

[Numion]

I've printed a couple of PDF products and visit the boards with computer, but thats about it. I do my adventures and NPCs by hand; nothing with computer there. It's just easier to scribble a couple of notes with hand vs. computer.

 

[Fenes 2]

I used to make customized sheets for my PCs which I filled in with pencil, still do for my current characters, but may skip to word-based sheets entirely in a new campaign.

As a DM I use word for all my preparing - it is just easier to copy/paste notes from the adventure preparation file into the campaign sourcebook file after the session and to organize than my earlier penciled notes. I transcribe whatever I scribble down during a game session into my wordfile after the game.

 

[johnsemlak]

I probably use the computer about as much as you guys do (those who posted above). I am increasing my use of the computer as well.

Please don't take my post above as an anti-computer rant or whatever. I really was just amazed in reading thru the thread I linked how much people used computers, and how many things they did with computers, and how computer dependant they were. I mean, like, I've never used Etools, and there were people saying they would refuse to play D&D 3.5 without and etools update.

Now, myself, I probably would admit that I wouldn't want to play D&D without using the computer in any way. I do have a lot of PDF products and like them. I use a word processor a lot, and want to learn to use a spreadsheet to create a character sheet. Obviously, compters are simply way of life now.

 

[MerricB]

Check out the Computer Geek poll, which currently shows 60% of ENworlders are Computer Geeks who can't tie their shoelaces without a computer.

Oh, sorry... that use computers to create NPCs and the like.

Cheers!

 

[johnsemlak]

Check out the Computer Geek poll, which currently shows 60% of ENworlders are Computer Geeks who can't tie their shoelaces without a computer.

Oh, sorry... that use computers to create NPCs and the like.

Cheers!

I voted "NO" on that one myself. , obviously.

Funny, I would have described myself as above average in computer literacy. Heck I spend several hours a day in front of one, and my job doens't directly require it. My wife complains about how much I use the cmputer, saying "A normal person comes home and turns on the light, you on the other hand turn on the computer."

 

[MerricB]

A point to remember with that poll is that it will get the more computer-literate of us - we're online with some computer familiarity, obviously!

I think of it as giving the upper limit... the actual figure may be much lower.

Cheers!

 

[johnsemlak]

Very true. Unfortunately, while ENworld polls are fun to post, vote in, and check out, it's dubious how revealing they are.


Side note: In my profession (English teaching) we have a term for using computers in the classroom and in other ways: CALL (Computer Aided Langauge Learning). I'm not into it at all (Russia is kind of behind-the-times in that) but it's the 'big thing' now for people who keep up with the cutting edge stuff.

I suppose we ought to create the term CARP: Compter Aided Role Playing. D)

 

[MerricB]

An interesting sidelight: I have a copy of the Quatermass Experiment screenplay (an English sci-fi TV show of the 1950's, quite important historically), which uses the following spelling of computer:

Computor.

At the time of its writing, they weren't sure about whether or not the new word would be spelt with an -er or an -or (like calculator).

The printings of the script have kept the old spelling as a curiousity.

Only fifty years ago... how the world has changed.

Cheers!

 

[hong]

An interesting sidelight: I have a copy of the Quatermass Experiment screenplay (an English sci-fi TV show of the 1950's, quite important historically), which uses the following spelling of computer:

Computor.

For best results, this must be pronounced in a plummy Oxbridge accent.


Hong "either that, or something like Marvin the Martian" Ooi