For those keeping up with WotC

I realize I've brought enough bullshit everyone's way in the past 24 hours, but for those who don't follow Tower of the Archmage:

http://towerofthearchmage.blogspot.com/2011/06/wotc-fail-girls-d.html

Everything Sucks and Get Off My Lawn

Opinions are Like Assholes

I don't like 4e. I don't like WotC's latest scheme to add a CCG pay to play element to an rpg. It's not only my right to choose what I do and don't like, it's my right to speak my mind and write what I think on this blog. I'll damn sure continue to do so! However, not being a total dick about it, I will not do any of the following:

1. Tell you that you suck for playing a game I don't like. 
2. Think any less of someone for what they play.
3. Go to your blog, where you talk about 4e and what you enjoy, then spam up your comments with my bullshit.

A very tiny percentage of this blog's content is devoted to mentioning WotC era games. I foresee that holding true in 2011. By and large, I don't give a rat's ass what WotC does, but if they do something I think is fucked-up, I might say a thing or two about it. 

I Do Not Want WotC to go Bankrupt, out of business or otherwise to go down in flames. I don't buy into the idea that if WotC sinks they'll take everyone else with them. That may have been true at one time, but I don't think it's true today. I don't want to see it happen. But not all of the ill-will towards the company, both within and without their current customer base, is unjustified and that's something WotC and their supporters are going to have to address. 

You Knew This Was Going To Happen, Right?

I'm Just Sayin...
No Snarkiness intended...

Dungeons & Dragons Fortune Cards.

"Dungeons & Dragons Fortune Cards, sold in booster packs of 8 cards, give players fun new ways to survive the challenges of the D&D Encounters in-store play program, as well as their home campaigns."

Mike Mearls Interview at the Escapist

Interview.

This quote is kinda the gist of it:

While I'm quite happy with my game(s) of choice, I do like the idea that Mr. Mearls wants to resurrect a few of those Sacred Cows, which WotC so gleefully slaughtered. I like the idea that the D&D Manager plays Old School versions of the game and thinks that playing a Fighter should feel different than playing a Wizard. And that judging from his comments, he doesn't think that "Narrative Gaming" is something that should be a part of D&D. 

I like the idea. I don't think it's gonna effect my life, very much. I haven't checked out Essentials, but what I've heard doesn't make me think I'm going to like it. Certainly, not nearly as much as Gygax/Arneson D&D. And even if I liked it a little, I just don't have the time or inclination to add another game to my schedule. Or to invest in a game that wouldn't be at the top of my list, of what I want to DM. (Yeah, eventually I plan on scouring ebay for old Rolemaster and Talislanta stuff, that I'll probably never run. But that's different.)

And the 3e crowd seems pretty damn happy with Pathfinder. 

Speaking of those events from two years ago, Mr. Mearls was quoted as saying this:

"Look, no one at Wizards ever woke up one day and said 'Let's get rid of all of our fans and replace them.' That was never the intent," Mearls said. "

Is that what he's planning on doing to the 4e fans?

Truth is, that's not what I would like to see happen. Making the old material available in Print again would be nice, but I don't need WotC. And ultimately, they did players and publishers of pre 4e editions a favor. Repeating history and dismissing the hobbyists who've made emotional and financial investments in their game, looks like just one more dick move, from WotC. Not that my finger is on the pulse of the 4e community. Are there many 4e players, who are complaining about the game, but sticking with it?

The next year or two, should be rather interesting.

A Retro Game Experience?

"Come celebrate the release of the new D&D Essentials line of products and the new Dungeons & Dragons Fantasy Roleplaying Game with a classic-style adventure and a retro game experience!"

Really? A "Retro Game Experience"?

Cyclopeatron posted pics of the Bus, for those that haven't seen it.

Does this strike anyone else as downright, Orwellian? I mean, blatantly so? Retro Experience indeed! And who the hell do they think they're going to appeal to with their "retro" claims, anyway? Current gamers? Lapsed gamers, who haven't rolled a die in 20 years? Us? Is it possible that they actually believe that the resurgence in Old School gaming really is all about nostalgia and that if they wave a few familiar symbols under our nose, we'll give them our cash and play their game? If there were more of us, I'd say that was it. Maybe they think that those Lapsed Gamers have become sufficiently used to WoW that they'll love 4e if they can get them to try it.