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More on the WoTC VTT

Started by Aos, November 30, 2010, 09:30:36 PM

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Thanlis

#60
December 02, 2010, 03:23:54 PM
Quote from: ggroy;422398No idea how many 4E Encounters games are played in someone's home, outside of the schedule.

Me either. Some. I know when I ran the first season, the store gave away an extra copy to a nice couple who wanted to play it with their family on weekends. The format is really stunningly good for people who are curious about roleplaying but hate the idea of sitting and talking for several hours. I'd like to think it serves them as a gateway drug into roleplay with better continuity and depth but I don't know if that's true.

Spinachcat

#61
December 02, 2010, 04:16:57 PM
Quote from: Windjammer;422345My impression was that the LFR was doing this pretty well - getting people together. With the aid of their own online networking. So what's the VTT doing that the LFR couldn't? (Honest question, I'd like to know.)

1- RPGA supports RPGA-style play.  I have found that most RPGA players are more interested in level + goodies than roleplay and adventure.  Not all, but most.

2 - RPGA requires physical meeting space and concrete scheduling.   The VTT lets you say, "hey it's Tuesday 10pm EST and I wanna play some D&D!" so you log on and wham, you have 16 games to choose from.

Quote from: Thanlis;422395WotC really, really wants to keep stores happy and functional.

And alive.  

If WotC is smart, the VTT will automatically let players know when store events will be happening in a commutable radius.

Quote from: Thanlis;422399I'd like to think it serves them as a gateway drug into roleplay with better continuity and depth but I don't know if that's true.

I suspect it has a gateway drug factor, but even more, it allows very casual gamers to stay connected with the hobby.

RPGPundit

#62
December 02, 2010, 09:26:43 PM
Quote from: Abyssal Maw;422249Also, like if you're in one of those third world countries like Uruguay and your players never show up on time.

Hey, over in this third world country, I've got a player pool of like 200 people to choose from.  Not bad.

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#63
December 02, 2010, 09:28:42 PM
Quote from: Spinachcat;422297Are you being intentionally thick or have I overestimated your IQ?

The VTT is the key to a real win for WotC.  Gaming has moved online for teens and young adults.  VTT RPG play can offer a different experience than MMOs and that might be enticing...especially since MMOs aren't evolving.

THIS is how you build a player network in the modern day.

The key to hobby growth is consistent engagement by participants.  It's no wonder that gaming groups which meet every week do better than those who meet once per month.  The more engaged you are, the more likely you will stay engaged and even increase your focus on that hobby.

It's why churches want you there every Sunday and always try to get you there at least one evening a week.   They know that those who come once a month, once a year aren't gonna focus on their church hobby.

If people are playing VTT D&D on a regular basis, they will be more interested in playing RPGs as part of their entertainment.  And if WotC has the slightest smarts, they will use the VTT to support local gaming gatherings as well.

And FINALLY, all these people who think there are no gamers in their town will realize they have 10+ other gamers in a 10 mile radius.

Its utterly shocking that WotC has waited this long.  This shit should have been up and kicking ass when 3.5 launched.

The VTT that you're describing, the one that should have existed when 4e first came out, would have indeed been a plus.  This one? Its one step away from waving a white flag of surrender at the reality of their utterly eroded player network.

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Abyssal Maw

#64
December 03, 2010, 09:21:46 AM
Quote from: RPGPundit;422557...reality of their utterly eroded player network.

RPGPundit

Well, I will say the same thing I said n 2008 and in 2009 when everyone was smugly predicting doom and misery for 4e. Check back in a year.

From where I can tell- it just keeps growing.
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jeff37923

#65
December 03, 2010, 06:47:05 PM
Quote from: Abyssal Maw;422697Well, I will say the same thing I said n 2008 and in 2009 when everyone was smugly predicting doom and misery for 4e. Check back in a year.

From where I can tell- it just keeps growing.

How can you tell anything with your head so far up your/4E ass?
"Meh."

Spinachcat

#66
December 03, 2010, 09:00:11 PM
Quote from: RPGPundit;422557This one? Its one step away from waving a white flag of surrender at the reality of their utterly eroded player network.

Why?  

Quote from: Abyssal Maw;422697From where I can tell- it just keeps growing.

I can't confirm nationwide.  However, in Los Angeles, I can confirm that RPGA has experienced significant and continued growth at the three major conventions and the Game Day attendance at game stores have been steady.  In fact, I heard the GW Game Day at two FLGS were packed and turning away people.

I have friends in the SF Bay Area who report similiar growth of the RPGA under 4e.   It's not the Living City numbers of the ancient past, but certainly larger than Living Greyhawk.
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