Hasbro wants to become a digital games giant.
https://archive.ph/LUIgt

"I would say that the underlying thesis of our D&D business is all about digital," Cocks said.
https://archive.ph/ABGpz

Hasbro > "Trust us bro we don't plan on having AI DMs!"
Also Hasbro > Hasbro Gaming SVP explains what "AI-driven mechanics" mean for upcoming board games
https://archive.ph/HkCOO

WotC+Hasborg couldnt win if every God on Earth helped them. Theyd fuck it up somehow-some way.

The more Hasbro D&D diverges from an actual roleplaying game, the easier it will be to filter out Hasbroites at the table. Now one has to say "no 5e" to be rid of them, but soon "pen and paper only" will be enough. I cannot wait for video games with rpg element to finally divorce themselves from traditional roleplaying games.

Quote from: Wisithir on August 18, 2023, 09:03:17 PM
The more Hasbro D&D diverges from an actual roleplaying game, the easier it will be to filter out Hasbroites at the table. Now one has to say "no 5e" to be rid of them, but soon "pen and paper only" will be enough. I cannot wait for video games with rpg element to finally divorce themselves from traditional roleplaying games.

Correct. They are making it extremely easy to back away from their product.

Quote from: Omega on August 18, 2023, 08:33:20 PM
WotC+Hasborg couldnt win if every God on Earth helped them. Theyd fuck it up somehow-some way.

"We are the Hasborg, Conservatism is futile, your pronouns will be assimilated."

  I hope they do so they can fail faster. Digital needs to spend big money and Triple A companies are having a hell of a time getting away with the same old shit. But if they can get a dozen whales then we can fully ignore them and their game dies on the vine.

Please WotC Hasbro, go into Web 3.0 NFT Live Service Virtual whateverthefuck!  I want you to fade away into irrelevance!

The people making these decisions are former execs from Microsoft.  It isn't going that well there either.  Honestly, it's mind boggling to me how committed to self immolation they are

I'm not threatened by AI GMs, TBH. AI won't effectively replace GMs any time soon. And even if/when they do, I doubt that they'll be able to replace them completely. And even if they do, that just means I'll be able to play as a player for a change, and do so whenever I want, even if I don't have a group.

I mean, seriously, it's not like GMing is a paid gig (most of the time). It's not like an entire highly established and entrenched industry of paid GMs is going to collapse with the avent of AI GMs. Paid GMing, to the extent that it is a thing, is only a novelty that started out in recent history. It's not like the case with artists, who have existed since the dawn of human civilization, and are now about to lose out to AI.

Unless Hasbro somehow manages to lock ALL RPG play within their digital environment and somehow prohibits in person play, GMs are safe.

Quote from: BadApple on August 19, 2023, 12:11:47 PM
The people making these decisions are former execs from Microsoft.  It isn't going that well there either.  Honestly, it's mind boggling to me how committed to self immolation they are

Yup. This is a bunch of people equipped with a hammer that they got from their old job, looking at every problem like it's a nail. Instead of getting a proper tool for their new job.

On the bright side, this will tear a huge gaping vacuum in the ttrpg market ready to be exploited by anyone with the means to do so.

It's disappointing that all their IPs are being squandered, but that's a problem only copyright reform by the government will fix.

Quote from: VisionStorm on August 19, 2023, 12:20:59 PM

Quote from: BadApple on August 19, 2023, 12:11:47 PM
The people making these decisions are former execs from Microsoft.  It isn't going that well there either.  Honestly, it's mind boggling to me how committed to self immolation they are

Yup. This is a bunch of people equipped with a hammer that they got from their old job, looking at every problem like it's a nail. Instead of getting a proper tool for their new job.

I feel I must defend WotC here, as this seems unfair.

WotC has no shortage of tools.

Quote from: BoxCrayonTales on August 19, 2023, 12:31:32 PM
On the bright side, this will tear a huge gaping vacuum in the ttrpg market ready to be exploited by anyone with the means to do so.

I'd say TTRPG's already had their high water mark, and now it's going to slowly contract to a very niche hobby with few new players, like model railways and stamp collecting.

They're going to want to what every gaming corporation does - put out games that will wring every last drop of blood from their customers' veins through microtransactions.

Quote from: BoxCrayonTales on August 19, 2023, 12:31:32 PM

It's disappointing that all their IPs are being squandered, but that's a problem only copyright reform by the government will fix.

Their IP is not important.  I mean creators can make new settings.  Nothing they own cannot be replaced by something better.

Quote from: Scooter on August 19, 2023, 04:49:25 PM

Quote from: BoxCrayonTales on August 19, 2023, 12:31:32 PM

It's disappointing that all their IPs are being squandered, but that's a problem only copyright reform by the government will fix.

Their IP is not important.  I mean creators can make new settings.  Nothing they own cannot be replaced by something better.

I'm still looking for replacements.