Mike Mearls is now the new Manager of D&D R&D, succeeding Andy Collins at the helm of the game's development.

James Wyatt becomes now D&D's Creative Manager.

So business as usual over at WotC?

...neither of which event changes a single iota the fact that D&D is fucked up beyond all fixing.

Quote from: thedungeondelver;380984...neither of which event changes a single iota the fact that D&D is fucked up beyond all fixing.

No it's not...4e is beyond fixing, however.

Well, maybe it's beyond fixing. I've thought about sitting down, identifying all the design flaws, making some fixes, and seeing if the next campaign runs better with a stack of houserules to patch over everything.

But when I try to list even a couple flaws, I try to follow up with patches...and it just seems overwhelming. But that just means I'm not capable of fixing it, it's possible someone that really cares could devote a few months to coming up with a patchwork system that might work.

Still, it would be fixing 4e, not D&D.

Step 1) Rip out the Powers section.
Step 2) Insert a Stunt section.
Step 3) Profit!

Quote from: Doom;380993No it's not...4e is beyond fixing, however.

Well, maybe it's beyond fixing. I've thought about sitting down, identifying all the design flaws, making some fixes, and seeing if the next campaign runs better with a stack of houserules to patch over everything.

But when I try to list even a couple flaws, I try to follow up with patches...and it just seems overwhelming. But that just means I'm not capable of fixing it, it's possible someone that really cares could devote a few months to coming up with a patchwork system that might work.

Still, it would be fixing 4e, not D&D.

This isn't Windows Vista....
Am I being unreasonable in expecting my RPG to work right out of the box without patching?

It's not like the other two popular alternatives, 3.5 or Exalted, are any better mechanically.

...3.5...The modifiers! The feats! The feats and modifiers that, in any sane game, would be skills! The...*Sob*...The Prestige Classes...

*Runs away screaming*

Quote from: Narf the Mouse;381004...3.5...The modifiers! The feats! The feats and modifiers that, in any sane game, would be skills! The...*Sob*...The Prestige Classes...

*Runs away screaming*

My sentiments precisely.

I can actually play 3e and its derivatives with little problem (though I confess to never having played a campaign that went beyond 7th level). Running it, though, is a nightmare for me.

Quote from: Peregrin;381003It's not like the other two popular alternatives, 3.5 or Exalted, are any better mechanically.

WTF??

Where does that crazy notion come from?

EXALTED isn't at all popular in the real world.


The only true alternatives I see D&D players going to thaty don't like 4th edition is PATHFINDER or continuing to play 3.5/OGL with third party and PAIZO 'generic'/systemless products that are still available and out there on shelves.

- Ed C.

Quote from: Lawbag;381002This isn't Windows Vista....
Am I being unreasonable in expecting my RPG to work right out of the box without patching?

My Vista runs awesome!

It's the only Microsoft OS I have ever had that did not require a re-install a few months after purchasing. I even gutted the worthless Vista security/nag system. All you have to do is keep it patched with the latest updates. You don't have to lift a finger. Once a month, the correct patches are automatically downloaded and installed, behind the scenes. You wouldn't even know it except that the OS automatically notifies you the next time the system is rebooted, detailing what was changed, and how to reverse it, if there is some kind of problem with the patch.

It's still fast too, even with 200+ Gb of additional installed software apps.

Oh, and, every software app that is even halfway decent and supported, gets regularly patched these days, with updates and improvements.

I'd really like to see them do that with RPGs... You know... Provide PDF updates for RPG books, at no charge, as part of the original sale.

Quote from: The Butcher;381029My sentiments precisely.

I can actually play 3e and its derivatives with little problem (though I confess to never having played a campaign that went beyond 7th level). Running it, though, is a nightmare for me.

Weird. I never had a problem running  3.x personally. Don't get me wrong, I see how complex it can become and shit, but I ran games up to level 15ish repetitively and never experienced the huge mindstab other people are talking about. I was using lots of templated predefined creatures, stealing encounters left and right from this or that product, making my own as well, sure. A blend of all sorts of stuff really. I never had such a big problem with DMing 3.x. Honest.

Quote from: Doom;380993No it's not...4e is beyond fixing, however.

Well, maybe it's beyond fixing. I've thought about sitting down, identifying all the design flaws, making some fixes, and seeing if the next campaign runs better with a stack of houserules to patch over everything.

But when I try to list even a couple flaws, I try to follow up with patches...and it just seems overwhelming. But that just means I'm not capable of fixing it, it's possible someone that really cares could devote a few months to coming up with a patchwork system that might work.

Still, it would be fixing 4e, not D&D.

What most people want to do to "fix" D&D would make it not D&D.  And don't start that "but if it's called D&D by the parent company..." semantics BS, either.

I think we can all agree in general terms about what D&D is and is not.

Ask the folks at ICE or whomever was publishing Champions just what happens when you ditch the entire system to "reinvent" it (Hero Fuzion which was arguably the worst mainstream RPG ever)

Quote from: GameDaddy;381070My Vista runs awesome!

It's the only Microsoft OS I have ever had that did not require a re-install a few months after purchasing. I even gutted the worthless Vista security/nag system. All you have to do is keep it patched with the latest updates. You don't have to lift a finger. Once a month, the correct patches are automatically downloaded and installed, behind the scenes. You wouldn't even know it except that the OS automatically notifies you the next time the system is rebooted, detailing what was changed, and how to reverse it, if there is some kind of problem with the patch.

It's still fast too, even with 200+ Gb of additional installed software apps.

Oh, and, every software app that is even halfway decent and supported, gets regularly patched these days, with updates and improvements.

I didn't mind Vista so much, but I luuuuuuuuuurve Windows7.  But not to derail...!

QuoteI'd really like to see them do that with RPGs... You know... Provide PDF updates for RPG books, at no charge, as part of the original sale.

Wasn't that part and parcel of the aborted "Digital Initiative"?

Quote from: Koltar;381036WTF??

Where does that crazy notion come from?

EXALTED isn't at all popular in the real world.


The only true alternatives I see D&D players going to thaty don't like 4th edition is PATHFINDER or continuing to play 3.5/OGL with third party and PAIZO 'generic'/systemless products that are still available and out there on shelves.

- Ed C.

Exalted, the last time I checked, was right behind Vampire in terms of sales.  I don't know anyone in my area that plays WoD actively, but that doesn't mean that somewhere, someone else doesn't.  Most of the people in my area are too busy playing 4e.

There are people who claim Exalted sells well at their LGS and is actively played, just like there are people who claim there are people who play mostly 3.5 at their store.  I see neither of those things, but that doesn't mean that there aren't places where 3.5 or Exalted are more popular.  I'm not any more inclined to believe that Exalted isn't popular as I am that 3.5 is no longer played.  We're talking about a tiny hobby with different cliques and variable levels of popularity for certain lines dependent upon region.

A little offtopic, though.