WOTC ad - insulting to gamers?

[Pseudonym]

I knew a guy that was addictied to Everquest that he bought a second computer system and set it up next to his other other to play EQ online with 2 characters at the same time.

I used to have two systems running my two Asheron's Call accounts, but I already owned the system when I did that. For the record, they were both set up in the office in the clean and well ventilated loft of my apartment, not in my parent's basement.

 

[Pielorinho]

Way I see it, our hobby IS ridiculous and imminently mockable. Last night, I pretended to be a dwarf having a serious conversation with an elephant. And I was completely sober. How is that not absurd?

So I'm okay with being ribbed. It also seems to me that the ad's appearance in Dungeon serves as damage-control: it says, "You're playing tabletop games. Good. Keep it that way." I'm fine with that ad.

Daniel

 

[The Persian]

Way I see it, our hobby IS ridiculous and imminently mockable. Last night, I pretended to be a dwarf having a serious conversation with an elephant. And I was completely sober. How is that not absurd?

So I'm okay with being ribbed. It also seems to me that the ad's appearance in Dungeon serves as damage-control: it says, "You're playing tabletop games. Good. Keep it that way." I'm fine with that ad.

Daniel

Within a certain degree I think laughing at little things is alright, such as me and my friends chuckling when we use dice rolls to determine normally mundane things. Though, insane/wierd players shouldn't represent the majority...especially if they're like that, or been that way outside of any pen and paper game.

 

[hong]

I play WoW. I live on Cape Cod, I can't find any good pen and paper groups here. So thats my RPG fix.
I knew a guy that was addictied to Everquest that he bought a second computer system and set it up next to his other other to play EQ online with 2 characters at the same time.

As long as he didn't have his two characters get it on with each other, it's all good.

 

[Jupp]

Way I see it, our hobby IS ridiculous and imminently mockable. Last night, I pretended to be a dwarf having a serious conversation with an elephant. And I was completely sober. How is that not absurd?

So I'm okay with being ribbed. It also seems to me that the ad's appearance in Dungeon serves as damage-control: it says, "You're playing tabletop games. Good. Keep it that way." I'm fine with that ad.

Daniel

Just my opinion. Our hobby asks for being mocked. I mean, have a little chat with your friend about last days game session while sitting in the subway. Then closely watch people slowly back away from you while you talk about that cool fight with that group of orcs and how you chopped off their heads with that critical dice roll and how you looted their bodies after the fight.....C'mon folks. We are asking for it

 

[The Persian]

But is it really any different from men describing the actions of other athletes scoring a goal, or making the last shot in, or even talking about their favorite TV shows? In all examples, the people in mind haven't actually done these things, and in the latter case ^, completely fictional.

It's a different view outside of a house, the common interest we have in enjoying stories or tales, all in different degrees.

A player shouldn't have to come into PnP roleplaying expecting to be mocked or insulted. Some people, as wierd as it sounds, like to come in purely for the gaming and not the gamer culture itself.

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

I thought it was a great and effective ad. I fear for those who would be too thin-skinned to get offended by it.

 

[smootrk]

I have worked in advertising. Any ad that elicits commentary and discussion is really a good ad. The idea in most advertising is not to convey facts or any other great amount of information; it is to produce product recognition.... that is to make the reader remember the Product, Product Line, or Manufacturer. Just think of how little a Dancing Ronald McDonald really has to do with the fast food restaraunt business. It is just there to bring it forward in your mind, so that when you are faced with a buying decision you tend to choose the product that is most familiar in your mind.

I think the ad is brilliant & funny. When is the last time you had a disscussion with anyone about another advertisment regarding your hobby interests ?

 

[wedgeski]

Gotta say, laughed out loud at that ad. It's just a shame that at the moment my World of Warcraft play-time exceeds my D&D play-time by about 10:1. They are very different experiences though, two sides of that shiny coin of gaming.

 

[Jupp]

I have worked in advertising. Any ad that elicits commentary and discussion is really a good ad. The idea in most advertising is not to convey facts or any other great amount of information; it is to produce product recognition....

Yup, talk about those United Colors of Benetton ads from a few years ago..Brilliant advertising. The ads itself might be questionable when it comes to ethical standards (though I really admired the creativity of them), they produced an awfull lot of discussion around the world.