|
11 months ago ::
Aug 02, 2012 - 3:20AM
#1
|
|
|
In the most recent D&D Encounters session, I got to sit down with a lapsed player to chat about what he's been doing since we last saw him participate in D&D Encounters. I found out he is playing some Pathfinder, and plenty more Magic. Also, we got to talk a bit about the D&D Next playtest materials.
I stayed away from any arguments regarding Pathfinder, since I really like the game system as much as I like 4e. It simply would have been counterproductive to start disagreeing. Eventually that conversation led to a chat about Mutants & Masterminds to avoid any sort of bickering.
As we came to talking about the D&D Next Playtest, I was truly speechless as he declared of his perspective on the matter, "The playtest is a total copy-paste of 4e, except they've made it even more video-gamey than ever before. It is just so much more video-gamey than 4e and I didn't even believe that was possible."
Seriously, I was speechless. I kinda mumbled some incoherent sound and couldn't connect in my mind anything of sensible rebuttal. I knew kinda what I wanted to say, 'Wow, I really felt the playtest materials evoke a feeling much closer to 2e; in fact, I feel like 4e has been excluded from the playtest materials.' However, I was struck to such a stupor from his assessment that I had to wonder to myself: What the **** does video-gamey actually mean?
I would never relate D&D next playtest materials with a video game, so perhaps I'm missing something of his experience. What the **** does video-gamey mean?
I'll admit, I've probably had less experience with video games than most of the gaming population. I've certainly totalled up a less-than-average number of video game hours.
So, while I'm in no need of arguing the playtest materials, I do want to discuss what it really means for a game to feel video-gamey and what the **** that term is actually assessing.
|
|
|
|
11 months ago ::
Aug 02, 2012 - 3:27AM
#2
|
Date Joined:
May 17, 2009
|
It's an entirely emotional way to say, "I didn't like it."
Moderated by
Orc_Bane
on Aug 02, 2012 - 09:22AM
Seriously, though, you should check out the PbP Haven. You might also like Real Adventures, IF you're cool. | Knights of W.T.F.- Silver Spur Winner | |
4enclave, a place where 4e fans can talk 4e in peace.
|
|
|
|
11 months ago ::
Aug 02, 2012 - 3:37AM
#3
|
Date Joined:
May 25, 2012
|
It's an entirely emotional way to say, "I didn't like it."
On this, i completely agree with you!
Maybe he fears DDN will steal players to pathfinder so he instinctively resent it?
Just throwing ideas.
Moderated by
Orc_Bane
on Aug 02, 2012 - 09:22AM
DM: Products of MY Imagination ©. Since 1986.
|
|
|
|
11 months ago ::
Aug 02, 2012 - 3:45AM
#4
|
Date Joined:
Jan 18, 2012
|
I have heard several complaints from some guys I used to play with, but that is the first I have heard of Next being compared to a video game.
|
|
|
|
11 months ago ::
Aug 02, 2012 - 3:46AM
#5
|
Date Joined:
Aug 30, 2007
|
It's an entirely emotional way to say, "I didn't like it."
Exactly. It's no different than when people cried that 3e = Diablo (and while they did publish a Diablo book, it was done first under 2e, much like while people complained that 4e was WoW, the d20 WoW adaption was actually done under 3e). It's a cheap way to insult fellow D&Ders instead of having any serious discussion or having to back up your points with anything resembling facts, evidence, or logic.
Moderated by
Orc_Bane
on Aug 02, 2012 - 09:23AM
Owner and Proprietor of the House of Trolls.
God of ownership and possession.
|
|
|
|
11 months ago ::
Aug 02, 2012 - 3:53AM
#6
|
Date Joined:
May 17, 2009
|
It's an entirely emotional way to say, "I didn't like it."
On this, i completely agree with you!
Maybe he fears DDN will steal players to pathfinder so he instinctively resent it?
Just throwing ideas.
Then we'll crack a bottle of champagne over our agreement 
Okay, I don't have any champagne, but maybe my goodwill will do the trick instead.
Moderated by
Orc_Bane
on Aug 02, 2012 - 09:23AM
Seriously, though, you should check out the PbP Haven. You might also like Real Adventures, IF you're cool. | Knights of W.T.F.- Silver Spur Winner | |
4enclave, a place where 4e fans can talk 4e in peace.
|
|
|
|
11 months ago ::
Aug 02, 2012 - 3:53AM
#7
|
|
|
another way to say nerdrage
a mask everyone has at least two of, one they wear in public and another they wear in private.....
|
|
|
|
11 months ago ::
Aug 02, 2012 - 4:13AM
#8
|
Date Joined:
May 24, 2012
|
So, while I'm in no need of arguing the playtest materials, I do want to discuss what it really means for a game to feel video-gamey and what the **** that term is actually assessing.
To ateempt to actually answer the question:
As I understand the term, and in the context in which I have used it, "video-gamey" refers to how special abilities work. Every class has the same basic special ablities; they have different names, different flavor text, and appear different in play--but are mechanically identical.
While this is one issue I've had with 4e, I would not call the Next playtest video-gamey. Actually, Next feels a lot like BECMI to me, with a handful of 2e thrown into the mix.
|
|
|
|
11 months ago ::
Aug 02, 2012 - 4:16AM
#9
|
Date Joined:
Oct 21, 2003
|
So, while I'm in no need of arguing the playtest materials, I do want to discuss what it really means for a game to feel video-gamey and what the **** that term is actually assessing.
To ateempt to actually answer the question:
As I understand the term, and in the context in which I have used it, "video-gamey" refers to how special abilities work. Every class has the same basic special ablities; they have different names, different flavor text, and appear different in play--but are mechanically identical.
While this is one issue I've had with 4e, I would not call the Next playtest video-gamey. Actually, Next feels a lot like BECMI to me, with a handful of 2e thrown into the mix.
Actually Pash answered the question quite succinctly.
|
|
|
|
11 months ago ::
Aug 02, 2012 - 4:32AM
#10
|
Date Joined:
Aug 22, 2007
|
Just a way to say "I don't like it" with no explanation.
In fact, as it relies on improvising and fiat, the Playtest would make a bad video game if it were more than a phone app.
Orzel, Halfelven son of Zel, Mystic Ranger, Bane to Dragons, Death to Undeath, Killer of Abyssals, King of the Wilds.
Constitution Based Class for Next!
|
|
|
