WOTC Demographic?

[Ranger REG]

The word you're missing is "simplified".

Well, that's what politically correct person would say. Back then, "dumbed down" was the hip phrase.

(Gee, and I'm just talking about 6 years ago. I feel old.)

 

[MerricB]

Well, that's what politically correct person would say. Back then, "dumbed down" was the hip phrase.

(Gee, and I'm just talking about 6 years ago. I feel old.)

You *are* old. Well compared to... err... something much younger than you.

"Dumbed Down" is mostly offensive. Calling the d20 System "dumbed down" because it gets rid of percentile dice for skills is ridiculous, but that's how it gets used.

Moldvay Basic D&D initiative is "dumbed down" compared to AD&D 1e initiative.

(This isn't to say that there aren't times when such language isn't useful, but it rarely helps in system discussion).

Very interesting fact: D&D Basic 3.5e doesn't roll dice for initiative. There's a set initiative order. Why? Because new gamers found flexible initiative extremely difficult to get used to.

Cheers!

 

[Aeson]

That might explain the pictures Ghostwind posted...

Those are some great pics.

 

[jgbrowning]

I feel old.)

Go ahead and feel as old as you like, but then talk to CMG Mark and you'll find out what real old is.

Wait... that supposed to be internal monologue.... ah well....


joe b.

 

[The Shaman]

Those are some great pics.

To each their own, of course - personally I don't care for them.

 

[The Shaman]

Very interesting fact: D&D Basic 3.5e doesn't roll dice for initiative. There's a set initiative order. Why? Because new gamers found flexible initiative extremely difficult to get used to.

A consequence of "simplifying" educational standards in our schools, perhaps?

 

[MerricB]

A consequence of "simplifying" educational standards in our schools, perhaps?

I'd consider that very doubtful. (And the word can be "degrading" in some cases ) I'd believe that for this case it's because the difference between a normal boardgame (set order) and D&D (changing order) can cause problems.

Cheers!

 

[Aeson]

I think "dumbing down" should be used for our school system.

 

[The Shaman]

I think "dumbing down" should be used for our school system.

That was my point - it was a humorous play-on-words, or at least it was supposed to be... :\

 

[Ranger REG]

"Dumbed Down" is mostly offensive. Calling the d20 System "dumbed down" because it gets rid of percentile dice for skills is ridiculous, but that's how it gets used.

But that's the thing. 3.0e wasn't dumbed down. It was asked before the release and almost everybody on this then-Eric Noah's messageboard said no.

Makes you wonder if C&C and many rules-light products that have been popping up most recently have a valid point to the current rules-heavy 3e.

(Yeah, yeah, we already had a discussion about rules-light vs. rules-heavy ... but it's good to talk about it.)