Industry News
Yes, Gen Con was a while ago, and no, I didn't go to Gen Con, sadly, being a student stranded in the Great White North. But I do love vicariously living through people's Gen Con experiences by their (sometimes extensive) play-by-play recaps, longing for the day that I get to go myself!
Experience Gen Con through the viewpoint of:
• "One Cool Thing I Saw At GenCon"--a video of huge variety of people giving their answers to exactly that.
• Paul Tevis and Ryan Macklin, giving their perspectives in the This Just In From Gen Con podcasts.
• Palladium
• Magic: the Gathering (long and excellent)
• Fantasy Flight Games (both pictures and video!)
• Pinnacle Entertainment
• Mayfair Games
And of course, if you missed them, here are the winners of the 2008 ENnie awards.
Ok, pictures may be coming soon... depends on whether I can get them downloaded from the con (otherwise they may need to be added in later).
I'm here, live at GenCon, and I have to say it's an exciting time. Wizards of the Coast is touting their new 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons rules with the release of the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, which has sold out within a few hours of the exhibit hall opening on both days of the con so far. It's uncertain whether there will be any more copies tomorrow, so I'm afraid I can't report much on the contents yet. Personally, I'm trying more for a copy of the DM's screen, which I'm pleased to report is not a flimsy cardstock screen this time around.
Paizo also has a strong presence at the con, with a number of GenCon releases. In addition to a hardcover Pathfinder setting book, they also have the Pathfinder RPG Beta Rules.... or they did until very early this morning when they sold out. Josh Frost reported happily at one of the seminars that the free downloadable version available at paizo.com had over 1000 unique downloads in the first hour it was up. Paizo's organized play division, the Pathfinder Society, hit the ground running with 8 a.m. timeslots. (Many were heard to groan "Damn you, Josh Frost!" at the con in reference to the early start times, and I heard rumors of tshirts being made with that slogan!).
Other notable releases include the upper levels of Gary Gygax's castle dungeon for Castles & Crusades, Hunter: The Vigil from White Wolf, and many others. I plan on spending a good deal of time in the exhibit hall tomorrow, and hopefully will be able to post again with more news from the con before the weekend is over!
Okay, as I've admitted numerous times, I'm a bit of a Paizo fanboi. It's only fair, therefore, that I make this week's game of the week reflect one of Paizo's much awaited releases for GenCon... the Pathfinder RPG Beta rules. These aren't the final rules of course, but rather the culmination of three releases of alpha rules and the input of countless Paizo messageboard regulars.
The process so far has been amazingly open, and while I did download the Alpha rules, I confess that I've been waiting for the beta release so I could have a nice paper release to refer to. I know, tech junkie who needs to read paper... it's my complaint about the online Dungeon and Dragon magazine releases too!
Anyway, it releases at GenCon along with a ton of other Paizo goodness, and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. This is the lifeline for everyone who is hoping for their 3.5 material not to go to waste, and also for many who simply don't like 4th edition.
Coming as no big surprise to anyone who had frequented the site and been frustrated by the numerous bugs, Gleemax, Wizard of the Coasts' attempt at a social networking site for gamers, is closing down come September. I had high hopes for Gleemax... not because of the name (inside jokes rarely make good names), nor for the color scheme (green is my favorite color, and I still think it's hideous) - but because it was a decent idea.
Rather than put my own spin on the news, I'm going to refer folks to Randy's post on the site, where he makes the announcement (partially copied below):
Wizards of the Coast has made the decision to pull down its Gleemax social networking site in order to focus on other aspects of our digital initiatives, especially Magic Online and Dungeons & Dragons Insider. We continue to believe that fostering online community is an important part of taking care of our customers, but until we have our games up and running at a quality level we can be proud of, it will be the games themselves that receive the lion's share of our attention and resources.
Our plan is to shut down Gleemax completely sometime in September. (I can't give a more exact date because the timing depends on what's going on with other projects.) To those of you who have posted to Gleemax, I thank you for your contributions over the past year. It is community members like you that made this project worth trying, and it is your efforts and words that gave it heart. You should save your blogs by copying that text somewhere else. Meanwhile, I encourage you to head over to the Wizards forums. The Wizards online community continues to thrive, and there should be lots of fun stuff to talk about over the coming months, including our digital offerings.
[via Gleemax]
Well, they've done it... the complete compiled issues for June's Dragon and Dungeon magazines online have been posted. I'll confess, I had begun to think that the online magazines would fail completely given the lack of attention they had been getting. I am pleased to report that the current issues are not only complete, but that the content is half decent.
There are a few articles that really would be better suited to being free online web enhancements, but for the most part the content was reasonably good. While I was pleased overall with Dragon, Dungeon was somewhat lacking... I miss Campaign Workbook articles and the Dungeoncraft articles they have posted before are frankly a little too basic for me. Hopefully the Campaign Workbook articles will make a return soon.
In positive news, not only are the compilations posted (yes, I know, they hid them in the table of contents rather than listing them in some sort of logical fashion... I wish the listing was in a more intuitive place, but at least it's there), but the editorial for the next issue is already posted. Also, they will be starting an Adventure Path next issue... there's a high bar set for those, given Paizo's excellent work, but I'm willing to give them a chance.
First of all, my apologies. I've had a number of medical issues over the past couple months that have made these game of the week posts sporadic at best. Now that the doctors are finally working on figuring out what's wrong, posts should start to be more frequent and cover something besides strictly 4th edition of Dungeons & Dragons... starting with this week's Game of the Week - a modern classic, Are You A Werewolf?
Okay, so it's a not particularly original take on the classic card game Mafia, which is played with a standard deck of playing cards. That doesn't make it any less fun. A few things: the game is short and sweet, skill counts (especially the ability to bluff), and you can play with a whole ton of people (the game maxes out at 15 players).
This isn't a game to play with a very small group as you need a certain critical mass - eight players is really just about as small as you can get, but its relatively short playtime and ability to accomodate large numbers of players makes it an ideal quick party game.
Sure, play Mafia instead if you want, but for a fantasy twist, check out Are You A Werewolf? from Looney Labs.
So I've had a few weeks to observe the new Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition... part of which was to be a suite of tools gleefully promised to us months ago. It seems the edition is going to start without the tools, however, since none of them were ready at launch. Nearing a full month since the release, only the Compendium (a fairly helpful if relatively plain tool that allows the user to search the rules) has been released. The interface is very plain at present, boring and utilitarian, which suggests it was perhaps rushed out the door to show that they intend on releasing the tools.
Wizards of the Coast doesn't have a stellar record when it comes to electronic tools for the D&D game, so I can see why they might think their userbase a bit skittish. Frankly, we are. I don't trust WotC with electronic tools at all and am very skeptical about the subscription Dungeons & Dragons Insider service. They've had months to wow me and they've failed completely - not even bothering to compile their electronic files for the magazines into a complete issue. The content for the intervening issues between the end of the Paizo run of the magazines and the release of 4e was an opportunity that Wizards of the Coast squandered.
So have I given up? Ever the optomist, I've been continuing to try to keep an open mind. While the Compendium is not particularly elegant, it is up now and it works, after a fashion. The magazines in their new online format have had some fairly regular updates and articles have been going up a few times a week. I'll confess, I haven't read them all, but the article of illusionist powers for the wizard was actually quite decent, and brings a return to the Class Acts section, which was one of my favorite Paizo additions to Dragon magazine.
I have had less time to look over the Dungeon articles, and here I believe Wizards squandered another chance. I would have loved to have seen a really good entry level adventure that addressed many of the criticisms of the new edition in the magazine this month. Instead, we have some side-treks for the published adventure and two adventures for the middle part of the heroic teir (1-10th level... the adventures are for 4th and 8th level). I've made some use of the side-treks, which were decent but more appropriate for a web enhancement than part of Dungeon. I'm going to hold my blistering critique for next month... the game has few adventures out and needs options beyond the published Keep on the Shadowfell as an entry point. I'm hoping that I'll see one next month.
I am not a WotC apologist... they've messed up a lot in the months leading to the release, especially with regards to Dungeons & Dragons Insider, but at least this month they have posted something. We'll see if they promptly post the compilation and if the full table of contents gets posted. If both of those things happen, the DDI might still have a chance.
Today is June 21, 2008 - Free RPG Day - which is great for a cheap old queen like me, since it means plenty of free swag is available at my friendly local gaming store. What kind of swag? Adventure modules, quick start guides, the kind of stuff that might make you take a look and say, "Hey, I've never played Pathfinder and this Revenge of the Kobold King adventure looks really cool!" Okay, so I'm a Paizo fanboi, but for 4e fanatics, especially those complaining about the lack of a low level adventure in the Dungeons and Dragons Insider version of Dungeon magazine this month, there is also a Wizards of the Coast adventure.
The giveaways look pretty cool and include everything from miniatures (another WotC offering) to dice from Chessex and Q-workshop and even more adventures and quickstart guides - Harn, Traveller, Tunnels & Trolls and several others are represented. The stuff is free only at participating local gaming stores, so take a look at the Free RPG Day website and check their list of retailers... maybe you'll find that cool new system you were looking for (or get a chance to check out something from 4e for free). Maybe you'll even discover a nearby gaming store you didn't know was quite so nearby.
I'm a big advocate of supporting the friendly local gaming store because they offer something most online retailers can't: a real community, a means to find games and players and try out things you aren't sure if you want to buy yet. For those who find it usually more worthwhile to order things from Amazon, this is a chance for an even better deal. Get to your FLGS today!
Gamasutra has just posted a really interesting 7-page article which takes the oft-complained about idea of D&D 4E borrowing from video games (MMORPGs in particular) and turns it around by considering what video games in the future could learn from the new edition of Dungeons & Dragons.
As mentioned, video games have been taking ideas from tabletop RPGs for years--there's no reason why that idea flow should stop. Yet any sign of a backwash seems to be seen as universally disgusting as its namesake. Some have pointed out that every edition of D&D takes the best mechanics of the games around them in that generation and makes them better (2E and the crazy-tables-flavour that was so popular in the 80s, for example)--is it only natural that D&D 4E seems to be partly inspired by MMORPGs, the most popular version of RPG right now (and, for that matter, ever)?
Whether grognards like myself like or hate the new edition (and there seems to be quite the mix), the fact remains that Wizards of the Coast is the big fish in the small pond of the role playing game industry. The flagship rpg product, the one everyone knows and everyone recognizes, is Dungeons & Dragons. As I mentioned in my last entry, I tried the game this past weekend with the introductory adventure and quickstart rules, having only the Players Handbook in hand. I'll discuss that experience later and in some detail because I think there are probably a lot of gaymers who are still in the process of making a decision on 4e.
Today I surrendered and bought the books - cancelling my online order (it was delayed in shipping until at least July 10th) - and buying the books from my friendly local gaming store (which, as I've said before, is not all that friendly, though at least the cashier is a hot little number). They kindly gave me a substantial discount as a longtime customer, for which I'm grateful, since the cost of the books is hurdle to starting in the new system. For what it's worth, while I always support my local gaming stores when I can, you can probably already find cheap copies on Ebay. Why? Because while I rather like a lot of aspects of the new edition... most particularly that I think my players have more fun playing it than 3.5... many others who had high hopes have not.
So if so many people hated it, why am I making it the game of the week? Because there must be some balance. For every person who has told me they hate 4e, I've also had someone tell me why they love it. It's not perfect, and thanks to Paizo, it doesn't need to be. Those who want to continue with the 3.5 system and rules that flow from that system can continue with Paizo's Pathfinder system, or just use 3.5 as is or with Monte Cook's book of his own house rules (which I featured here some time ago). For those who need the official system, who must have only what is endorsed by Wizards of the Coast - congratulations. I pronounce the system somewhat sound, playable, and fun. It may not be perfect, substituting streamlining of effects for flexibility in places, but it has its own qualities to recommend it, which I'll discuss in depth in the coming weeks in a new feature that will replace Scrying the 4e Crystal Ball.
This game will not be D&D for everyone. It slays sacred cows (magic missile can miss, and yes that just feels wrong to me, too), and it changes many aspects of the game. Wizards seem more playable at low levels than they were, fighters seem more playable at high levels than they were. Much of the game is now about the team rather than the character, and you'll have to work at making your character unique, because the rules will not do it for you. But I think, despite great early trepidation, that the game is a good one. Try it out if you can. If 3.5 is definitely your choice... think about trying Pathfinder. I'm still reading the alpha release of their rules, but they look like they're doing something interesting over at Paizo too.
With 4th edition of the new D&D game out, I felt a need this weekend to take the new rules for a spin, and not just because of World D&D Game Day on Saturday. Unfortunately, despite its participation in the day on an official level, no 4e gaming was going on at the nearest FLGS and the better one (which is slightly further away, hey gimme a break, gas is $4 a gallon) was full by the time I cornered the manager of the nearby game store to find out that indeed no 4e gaming was going to take place.
Fortunately, my regular gaming group meets on Sundays and agreed to do a test. I purchased Keep on Shadowfell just after its release and my gaming group (sans one player) gave it go. That gave us a group of five players, which is conveniently what the rules recommend (and also the number of pre-gens available). Saved from trying to figure out character creation over the weekend, I focused on learning the rules. Many of the changes came as no surprise, I have, after all, been reporting what little we've been able to learn for the past six months. I have a controversial opinion, I know, but frankly, while I love 3e and 3.5e, I think this game (so far) plays better for my group.
I'll give a full review tomorrow, but I think it's safe to say that 4e is D&D, but not necessarily the flavor of D&D that is right for everyone. I'll explain those sentiments tomorrow.
Today, June 7th, is the Worldwide Dungeons & Dragons Game Day! Hundreds of Friendly Local Gaming Stores all over the world (and even locations set up in Iraq and Afghanistan for serving military personnel) have a big action-packed day to celebrate the release of Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition, so if you have a chance to drop by you'll probably have a blast.
I'm certainly picking up my own copy of the game sometime this weekend, and I'm still very optimistic. In not too long, we'll have a big VelvetDiceBag weigh-in post where we air out our opinions and you post yours!
In the past eight months or so (can you believe it's been that long?), I hope I've showcased a big variety of RPGs, showing that there was more to the hobby than D&D--tons and tons of games by small presses, medium-sized presses and even no presses at all that are well worth your attention and maybe even perfectly suited to your group. Nevertheless, D&D has a special place in my heart as my first RPG and I'm very excited--I hope some of that excitement rubs off on you guys!
*rub rub*
And girls who like girls who like breastplates!
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