I mean, most fantasy settings will have elements people can attempt to label as things like that because one fantastic- that is to say, unrealistically fictional- story element is exploring paradigms where beings operate on one degree or another of an intrinsically axiomatic mindset.
Plus, if you’re going to write enemy stat blocks as something more than moving punching bags, you need to create generalized descriptions. “X are inclined to strike from ambush or at clearly weakened prey while Y seek out powerful foes to pit themselves against” provide starting points so play can feel like an engaging and varied experience rather than a rail shooter.
Finally, if we’re talking about species traits, it’s an objective fact that radically different physiologies have different physical capabilities. Seriously, crack open a life sciences textbook- there’s a lot of processes that work very differently under the hood for various irl lifeforms. D&D does make those things a bit more unrealistic, of course; almost like it’s a work of fiction that incorporates fantastic elements for drama and engagement or something.
Hey OSR4Ever, why don't you define political as you are using it. Cause from one old timer to another, i don't think we are seeing the same thing.
As someone who has been there since AD&D, it is less stifling political now than it was back then. Rember when only humans could be paladins? Remember when the Alignment spectrum was constantly used against players because the DM's Idea of "lawful good" and the player's were different? You ever had levels taken away because the DM thought you sparing someone who was helpless constituted an act of evil? Remember when women D&D players had to shop around a lot more to find a DM that would even let them play?
I remember all those things, those very political things, that don't really come up anymore.
None of that sounds particularly political to me. And neither does anything I've encountered in official 5e books. Might just be a difference in terminology, though.
And on that topic, I think it could be interesting to have an actual political campaign, even if it's something as simple as the civil war in Skyrim.
Remember when this was about the lack of a hype train?
WotC has too many things out too fast last year:People complain WotC has nothing being hyped in Q1:People complain WotC does anything but sell DND to Darrington Press or Paizo:People complain.
It's almost like it's a catch-22 for WotC do to anything other than let Dungeons & Dragons be subsumed by Daggerheart or Pathfinder.
I think one of the biggest things preventing people from getting hyped for stuff is they don’t have a Todd Kenreck making videos interviewing the creative team for UAs or third party creators about what’s in their books or how to play their classes. I know he’s doing that kind of stuff and more on his own, but I mean someone within the company
I think one of the biggest things preventing people from getting hyped for stuff is they don’t have a Todd Kenreck making videos interviewing the creative team for UAs or third party creators about what’s in their books or how to play their classes. I know he’s doing that kind of stuff and more on his own, but I mean someone within the company
He’s been too professional to say it outright but from things Todd has said on various podcasts someone higher up at WotC didn’t like that someone had become the default face of the product, sort of “no one is bigger than D&D”, so apparently they’re happier with no one hyping them up
I think one of the biggest things preventing people from getting hyped for stuff is they don’t have a Todd Kenreck making videos interviewing the creative team for UAs or third party creators about what’s in their books or how to play their classes. I know he’s doing that kind of stuff and more on his own, but I mean someone within the company
While I agree, I think the current issue is there is nothing to hype. There are no officially announced products. There have been a few UAs which have given us plenty to speculate about, but we don’t know what is coming out, or when.
On the one hand, I’m kind of like, meh. Stuff will come out when it comes out, and I’ll use it or I won’t. On the other, if I knew, for example, a Dark Sun book would be out in August, and I was planning a post-apocalyptic campaign, well, that could give me something to work with in timing my games.
It’s not a big deal to me, I’ve gotten patient in my age, but I do agree it would be nice to know what’s coming.
I'm not one to be hyped up really, I kind of roll my eyes with it to be honest. In fact, if they've switched to a "we'll announce things as we're ready to go" model, like the other game systems that I play use, I'll be quite happy. I think the issue is communication, really. They've just decided to not follow their pattern and not say anything about what's happening, and that's anxiety producing for people. I'm not anxious, but I am wondering what's going on - and not in a hype-inducing good way. If they were just transparent and said "hey guys, we're delaying announcements until the new leadership get settled in, keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks/months!" or "hey guys, so we're switching models for announcements to avoid setting expectations and then failing them. We'll be announcing books as pre-orders go live so we know that things will be ready on time" or whatever it is they're doing, people would be happier. Plus it would fill the void so it stops it from being filled by the Chicken Littles.
Unfortunately, they're really not good at communication and actually engaging with the community. Companies can be bad at that (Free League gave us a scare a little while ago due to lack of communication), it just seems that WotC drops that ball a bit too often. I highly doubt anything particularly negative is going on...they just clam up rather than talk about why things are changing.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
I'm not one to be hyped up really, I kind of roll my eyes with it to be honest. In fact, if they've switched to a "we'll announce things as we're ready to go" model, like the other game systems that I play use, I'll be quite happy. I think the issue is communication, really. They've just decided to not follow their pattern and not say anything about what's happening, and that's anxiety producing for people. I'm not anxious, but I am wondering what's going on - and not in a hype-inducing good way. If they were just transparent and said "hey guys, we're delaying announcements until the new leadership get settled in, keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks/months!" or "hey guys, so we're switching models for announcements to avoid setting expectations and then failing them. We'll be announcing books as pre-orders go live so we know that things will be ready on time" or whatever it is they're doing, people would be happier. Plus it would fill the void so it stops it from being filled by the Chicken Littles.
Unfortunately, they're really not good at communication and actually engaging with the community. Companies can be bad at that (Free League gave us a scare a little while ago due to lack of communication), it just seems that WotC drops that ball a bit too often. I highly doubt anything particularly negative is going on...they just clam up rather than talk about why things are changing.
I couldn't agree more with your entire take Linklite. Why they continue to be so poor at communication and engagement is mind boggling to me. They don't need a huge, expensive staff for this, but they certainly need a couple of highly competent people and a willingness to be more open and engaged.
I'm not one to be hyped up really, I kind of roll my eyes with it to be honest. In fact, if they've switched to a "we'll announce things as we're ready to go" model, like the other game systems that I play use, I'll be quite happy. I think the issue is communication, really. They've just decided to not follow their pattern and not say anything about what's happening, and that's anxiety producing for people. I'm not anxious, but I am wondering what's going on - and not in a hype-inducing good way. If they were just transparent and said "hey guys, we're delaying announcements until the new leadership get settled in, keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks/months!" or "hey guys, so we're switching models for announcements to avoid setting expectations and then failing them. We'll be announcing books as pre-orders go live so we know that things will be ready on time" or whatever it is they're doing, people would be happier. Plus it would fill the void so it stops it from being filled by the Chicken Littles.
Unfortunately, they're really not good at communication and actually engaging with the community. Companies can be bad at that (Free League gave us a scare a little while ago due to lack of communication), it just seems that WotC drops that ball a bit too often. I highly doubt anything particularly negative is going on...they just clam up rather than talk about why things are changing.
I couldn't agree more with your entire take Linklite. Why they continue to be so poor at communication and engagement is mind boggling to me. They don't need a huge, expensive staff for this, but they certainly need a couple of highly competent people and a willingness to be more open and engaged.
Something something NDAs something something listening to people complaining about the previous hype cycle.
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DM, player & homebrewer(Current homebrew project is an unofficial conversion of SBURB/SGRUB from Homestuck into DND 5e)
Once made Maxwell's Silver Hammer come down upon Strahd's head to make sure he was dead.
Always study & sharpen philosophical razors. They save a lot of trouble.
I'm not one to be hyped up really, I kind of roll my eyes with it to be honest. In fact, if they've switched to a "we'll announce things as we're ready to go" model, like the other game systems that I play use, I'll be quite happy. I think the issue is communication, really. They've just decided to not follow their pattern and not say anything about what's happening, and that's anxiety producing for people. I'm not anxious, but I am wondering what's going on - and not in a hype-inducing good way. If they were just transparent and said "hey guys, we're delaying announcements until the new leadership get settled in, keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks/months!" or "hey guys, so we're switching models for announcements to avoid setting expectations and then failing them. We'll be announcing books as pre-orders go live so we know that things will be ready on time" or whatever it is they're doing, people would be happier. Plus it would fill the void so it stops it from being filled by the Chicken Littles.
Unfortunately, they're really not good at communication and actually engaging with the community. Companies can be bad at that (Free League gave us a scare a little while ago due to lack of communication), it just seems that WotC drops that ball a bit too often. I highly doubt anything particularly negative is going on...they just clam up rather than talk about why things are changing.
I'm not sure folks here would be happier if they made any of those announcements. Not because any of those announcements would be unreasonable. But because historically it doesn't matter what WotC announces, people here will be mad about it.
There is an upcoming TV series based on Baldur's Gate 3 in April. Before that they release a teaser trailer on a video game called "Warlock". Those release statements seems far in advance.
There is an upcoming TV series based on Baldur's Gate 3 in April. Before that they release a teaser trailer on a video game called "Warlock". Those release statements seems far in advance.
You do understand that WotC isn’t making either of those things, right? They license the IP and someone else makes it. And both tv shows and video games have a very different production cycle than books. Those announcements are not really relevant here.
They don't need a huge, expensive staff for this, but they certainly need a couple of highly competent people
aka exactly the sort of salaries that tend to be first on the chopping block and deemed expendable when the bean counters start looking for ways to boost shareholder value
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Active characters:
Edoumiaond Willegume "Eddie" Podslee, Vegetanian scholar (College of Spirits bard) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Peter "the Pied Piper" Hausler, human con artist/remover of vermin (Circle of the Shepherd druid) PIPA - Planar Interception/Protection Aeormaton, warforged bodyguard and ex-wizard hunter (Warrior of the Elements monk/Cartographer artificer) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
There is an upcoming TV series based on Baldur's Gate 3 in April. Before that they release a teaser trailer on a video game called "Warlock". Those release statements seems far in advance.
You do understand that WotC isn’t making either of those things, right? They license the IP and someone else makes it. And both tv shows and video games have a very different production cycle than books. Those announcements are not really relevant here.
I think it's appropriate because WotC is behind them and the D&D logo is on each of them. So they are working on something, even if it is not what you want them to.
There is an upcoming TV series based on Baldur's Gate 3 in April. Before that they release a teaser trailer on a video game called "Warlock". Those release statements seems far in advance.
You do understand that WotC isn’t making either of those things, right? They license the IP and someone else makes it. And both tv shows and video games have a very different production cycle than books. Those announcements are not really relevant here.
I think it's appropriate because WotC is behind them and the D&D logo is on each of them. So they are working on something, even if it is not what you want them to.
As was explained above, they are not really working on these - someone else is making both products and, while Wizards likely has some creative input and review authority under their licensing terms, that is not going to be done by really anyone in the creative team. That level of input from marketing, execs, and others who touch the review is also typically not that intensive and designed not to detract from the flagship product. In fact, that is kind of the point of outsourcing and one of the reasons Hasbro sold off their entertainment production company to focus on outsourcing a free up resources for actual product development.
That said, while I think your theory as to the delay holds no water, I would be curious to know where you saw the show would be coming out in April. I believe it was announced in November, and I have not seen any info on actual release dates and would love to know if I missed something. Thanks in advance if you do happen to have something I missed you can share!
I highly doubt this is having any real effect on product release. For starters, the current lawsuit is focused almost exclusively on Magic, so there is likely no impact on D&D’s development team. There might be some impact on the marketing teams and higher level executives, but a lot of that kind of disruption is going to be busywork and document review that can be dumped on a couple of people, leaving the organization as a whole capable of still functioning.
Frankly, it also seems like a stupid lawsuit to begin with - though even stupid lawsuits must be answered.
Since multiple people on this thread mentioned the recent lawsuit against Hasbro related to Wizards of the Coast, there was a resolution on this today. Those who filed their lawsuit withdrew it, so the case is now closed without having gone anywhere. Perhaps the plaintiffs likewise realized their lawsuit was kind of stupid.
As I said previously, this was likely a blip on Wizards’ radar that didn’t take up much of their bandwidth, and now is a non-issue.
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I mean, most fantasy settings will have elements people can attempt to label as things like that because one fantastic- that is to say, unrealistically fictional- story element is exploring paradigms where beings operate on one degree or another of an intrinsically axiomatic mindset.
Plus, if you’re going to write enemy stat blocks as something more than moving punching bags, you need to create generalized descriptions. “X are inclined to strike from ambush or at clearly weakened prey while Y seek out powerful foes to pit themselves against” provide starting points so play can feel like an engaging and varied experience rather than a rail shooter.
Finally, if we’re talking about species traits, it’s an objective fact that radically different physiologies have different physical capabilities. Seriously, crack open a life sciences textbook- there’s a lot of processes that work very differently under the hood for various irl lifeforms. D&D does make those things a bit more unrealistic, of course; almost like it’s a work of fiction that incorporates fantastic elements for drama and engagement or something.
None of that sounds particularly political to me. And neither does anything I've encountered in official 5e books. Might just be a difference in terminology, though.
And on that topic, I think it could be interesting to have an actual political campaign, even if it's something as simple as the civil war in Skyrim.
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Remember when this was about the lack of a hype train?
WotC has too many things out too fast last year:People complain
WotC has nothing being hyped in Q1:People complain
WotC does anything but sell DND to Darrington Press or Paizo:People complain.
It's almost like it's a catch-22 for WotC do to anything other than let Dungeons & Dragons be subsumed by Daggerheart or Pathfinder.
DM, player & homebrewer(Current homebrew project is an unofficial conversion of SBURB/SGRUB from Homestuck into DND 5e)
Once made Maxwell's Silver Hammer come down upon Strahd's head to make sure he was dead.
Always study & sharpen philosophical razors. They save a lot of trouble.
I think one of the biggest things preventing people from getting hyped for stuff is they don’t have a Todd Kenreck making videos interviewing the creative team for UAs or third party creators about what’s in their books or how to play their classes. I know he’s doing that kind of stuff and more on his own, but I mean someone within the company
He’s been too professional to say it outright but from things Todd has said on various podcasts someone higher up at WotC didn’t like that someone had become the default face of the product, sort of “no one is bigger than D&D”, so apparently they’re happier with no one hyping them up
While I agree, I think the current issue is there is nothing to hype. There are no officially announced products. There have been a few UAs which have given us plenty to speculate about, but we don’t know what is coming out, or when.
On the one hand, I’m kind of like, meh. Stuff will come out when it comes out, and I’ll use it or I won’t. On the other, if I knew, for example, a Dark Sun book would be out in August, and I was planning a post-apocalyptic campaign, well, that could give me something to work with in timing my games.
It’s not a big deal to me, I’ve gotten patient in my age, but I do agree it would be nice to know what’s coming.
I'm not one to be hyped up really, I kind of roll my eyes with it to be honest. In fact, if they've switched to a "we'll announce things as we're ready to go" model, like the other game systems that I play use, I'll be quite happy. I think the issue is communication, really. They've just decided to not follow their pattern and not say anything about what's happening, and that's anxiety producing for people. I'm not anxious, but I am wondering what's going on - and not in a hype-inducing good way. If they were just transparent and said "hey guys, we're delaying announcements until the new leadership get settled in, keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks/months!" or "hey guys, so we're switching models for announcements to avoid setting expectations and then failing them. We'll be announcing books as pre-orders go live so we know that things will be ready on time" or whatever it is they're doing, people would be happier. Plus it would fill the void so it stops it from being filled by the Chicken Littles.
Unfortunately, they're really not good at communication and actually engaging with the community. Companies can be bad at that (Free League gave us a scare a little while ago due to lack of communication), it just seems that WotC drops that ball a bit too often. I highly doubt anything particularly negative is going on...they just clam up rather than talk about why things are changing.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
I couldn't agree more with your entire take Linklite. Why they continue to be so poor at communication and engagement is mind boggling to me. They don't need a huge, expensive staff for this, but they certainly need a couple of highly competent people and a willingness to be more open and engaged.
Something something NDAs something something listening to people complaining about the previous hype cycle.
DM, player & homebrewer(Current homebrew project is an unofficial conversion of SBURB/SGRUB from Homestuck into DND 5e)
Once made Maxwell's Silver Hammer come down upon Strahd's head to make sure he was dead.
Always study & sharpen philosophical razors. They save a lot of trouble.
I'm not sure folks here would be happier if they made any of those announcements. Not because any of those announcements would be unreasonable. But because historically it doesn't matter what WotC announces, people here will be mad about it.
There is an upcoming TV series based on Baldur's Gate 3 in April. Before that they release a teaser trailer on a video game called "Warlock". Those release statements seems far in advance.
You do understand that WotC isn’t making either of those things, right? They license the IP and someone else makes it. And both tv shows and video games have a very different production cycle than books. Those announcements are not really relevant here.
aka exactly the sort of salaries that tend to be first on the chopping block and deemed expendable when the bean counters start looking for ways to boost shareholder value
Active characters:
Edoumiaond Willegume "Eddie" Podslee, Vegetanian scholar (College of Spirits bard)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Peter "the Pied Piper" Hausler, human con artist/remover of vermin (Circle of the Shepherd druid)
PIPA - Planar Interception/Protection Aeormaton, warforged bodyguard and ex-wizard hunter (Warrior of the Elements monk/Cartographer artificer)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
I think it's appropriate because WotC is behind them and the D&D logo is on each of them. So they are working on something, even if it is not what you want them to.
As was explained above, they are not really working on these - someone else is making both products and, while Wizards likely has some creative input and review authority under their licensing terms, that is not going to be done by really anyone in the creative team. That level of input from marketing, execs, and others who touch the review is also typically not that intensive and designed not to detract from the flagship product. In fact, that is kind of the point of outsourcing and one of the reasons Hasbro sold off their entertainment production company to focus on outsourcing a free up resources for actual product development.
That said, while I think your theory as to the delay holds no water, I would be curious to know where you saw the show would be coming out in April. I believe it was announced in November, and I have not seen any info on actual release dates and would love to know if I missed something. Thanks in advance if you do happen to have something I missed you can share!
Since multiple people on this thread mentioned the recent lawsuit against Hasbro related to Wizards of the Coast, there was a resolution on this today. Those who filed their lawsuit withdrew it, so the case is now closed without having gone anywhere. Perhaps the plaintiffs likewise realized their lawsuit was kind of stupid.
As I said previously, this was likely a blip on Wizards’ radar that didn’t take up much of their bandwidth, and now is a non-issue.