tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.comments2024-01-07T19:50:16.147-07:00Realms of ChirakDoctor Futurityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02586371999646337047noreply@blogger.comBlogger1979125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-34064832943674225212024-01-07T19:50:16.147-07:002024-01-07T19:50:16.147-07:00I think actual game experience for characters shou...I think actual game experience for characters should immediately boost the skills they're already trained in. That should be the best kind of experience. If they're learning a new skill, then it should take the character out of action for awhile.<br /><br />Leveling is a whole can of worms. I seem to recall in AD&D characters were supposed to train before leveling. In 3e, players could just take random levels in other classes. In 4e, players just raced to get to 20-th level. jdh417https://www.blogger.com/profile/14541882649762424101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-91489737954502565402024-01-01T20:09:56.704-07:002024-01-01T20:09:56.704-07:00It will be interesting to see how D&D Beyond g...It will be interesting to see how D&D Beyond goes, but I will be very surprised if they are adequately prepared for what it needs to be....WotC has not had much success here, and their video game success with BG3 is entirely due to Larian Studios and the right kizmet with the WotC staff at the time. <br />On heartbreakers....it's true that the traditional definition of the term is not so normal anymore, but I think some of the upcoming products (Shadowdark comes to mind) really do feel like heartbreakers to me, just with the glossy elements of modern design and social media presence to pump them up. We are way beyond the era of Sinabar level heartbreakers though, sure. Doctor Futurityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02586371999646337047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-44442588460452411442024-01-01T16:26:54.028-07:002024-01-01T16:26:54.028-07:00WOTC has bet the company on D&D Beyond, so it&...WOTC has bet the company on D&D Beyond, so it'd better work and be good out-of-the-box. What they may not entirely understand is that as an online game, they're going to have to refresh it constantly for it to stay relevant (cf. Fortnite and Apex, etc.) Theoretically, D&D is different than WOW, but it'll be presented in the same fashion, so it will have the same player expectations. <br /><br />I could see this working well for WOTC at first and then stop growing within a year and then there'll be a bunch of player complaints. WOTC then says, "This is hard (and expensive to maintain)," and they give up and outsource it. <br /><br />I don't think you'll really see any more "heartbreakers." The companies producing these D&D-like games are legit experienced in making RPG's, not just a collection of funky houserules (which is what D&D started as). These games will work and have a clear vision of playstyle. None will be as popular as D&D, but will gather disciples. This may fracture off a significant portion of experienced players and those disaffected by WOTC's business decisions. jdh417https://www.blogger.com/profile/14541882649762424101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-7690121742190436322023-12-31T11:34:03.165-07:002023-12-31T11:34:03.165-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.marina vranahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16631561142075143947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-8171066625861658012023-12-30T23:50:20.887-07:002023-12-30T23:50:20.887-07:00Along with microtransactions, I wouldn't be su...Along with microtransactions, I wouldn't be surprised by D&D Beyond also featuring ads and an "ad-free" tier.jdh417https://www.blogger.com/profile/14541882649762424101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-84394745449221757532023-12-16T00:00:20.009-07:002023-12-16T00:00:20.009-07:00It will be interesting to see if the VTT and live ...It will be interesting to see if the VTT and live tabletop crowds bifurcate here more, or if the hobby has a complimentary relationship between the online and live gameplay styles. I suspect a huge portion of that success depends on how robust and useful the D&D Live experience ends up being. Doctor Futurityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02586371999646337047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-22424759206749079542023-12-15T23:57:39.833-07:002023-12-15T23:57:39.833-07:00D&D will release some new books for their next...D&D will release some new books for their next version, but will fully expect their players to only play on their One D&D service. Everyone else will be competing on the physical tabletop or other online services. I'm not sure if D&D and other RPG's are even really competing against each other, as they'll be aiming at different experiences. jdh417https://www.blogger.com/profile/14541882649762424101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-78498905523526108052023-11-03T07:07:58.489-06:002023-11-03T07:07:58.489-06:00Interesting, I have a friend that is switching fro...Interesting, I have a friend that is switching from 5E to this system, maybe I need to look into it more. Brutorz Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10261330634648140358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-82304866180739493342023-08-27T02:11:47.355-06:002023-08-27T02:11:47.355-06:00If you have a wishlist email me and I can see what...If you have a wishlist email me and I can see what I have (and I do have a lot)...toribergquist at gmail dot comDoctor Futurityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02586371999646337047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-57043414078986575362023-08-26T21:47:26.196-06:002023-08-26T21:47:26.196-06:00We are about the same age and similar interests in...We are about the same age and similar interests in rpg products. I moved 3 times last year, each time lugging box after box of rpg products, modern stuff all the way back to the 70s. <br />Long story short about a week ago our new home burnt to the ground, taking with it 3 full bookshelves of d&d, pathfinder, and too many other systems to list.<br />If at any point you decide you are parting with some of your collection I would love to take a look at the list and prices and see if I could help you lighten your load. <br />Regardless, keep up the blogging and watch out for wildfires. Take careRob Tornohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11402023678272729826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-54121141022141377562023-08-10T12:55:33.768-06:002023-08-10T12:55:33.768-06:00LOL!!!! I hadn't even thought about that, an u...LOL!!!! I hadn't even thought about that, an unintended self-critique.....Doctor Futurityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02586371999646337047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-68178091156124501332023-08-10T12:43:13.627-06:002023-08-10T12:43:13.627-06:00"Honestly, the only graphics issue at all is ..."Honestly, the only graphics issue at all is the preponderance of white font on black background on most pages, which can be an eye strain for some." <br /><br />Yeah, it sure is. Ahem.jdh417https://www.blogger.com/profile/14541882649762424101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-71663993730551294922023-08-10T09:25:15.432-06:002023-08-10T09:25:15.432-06:00Yeah its really flourished in recent years, and th...Yeah its really flourished in recent years, and the quality is over the top. I published a semi-monthly fanzine in the 80's called The Sorcerer's Scrolls and it was a lot of fun to make, but graphically I think my heyday was when I got Liz Danforth to contribute art, because most of the illustrations were otherwise fan art of "High School doodles" quality (okay to be fair we were all in high school at the time, I guess). Today's zine scene reflects that earnest energy plus just how easy it is to make a really neat looking product, and is incredibly cool. It also appears to be a pretty even mix of older gamers getting back in to it and younger gamers exploring new possibilities, so it manages to cater to both retro nostalgia and forward looking experimentalism at the same time.Doctor Futurityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02586371999646337047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-31314643447796518532023-08-10T08:08:30.009-06:002023-08-10T08:08:30.009-06:00I used to be really big into collecting zines back...I used to be really big into collecting zines back in the late 80s and early 90s when most were being run off of desktop PCs and Macs, just right before the "netbook" days of the Internet.<br />I kinda fell out of the habit which is a pity, because your review reminded me that there is a lot of great stuff out there.Timothy S. Brannanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02923526503305233715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-41640148396761506082023-07-18T16:16:12.355-06:002023-07-18T16:16:12.355-06:00Haha...nice, thanks!!Haha...nice, thanks!!Jonathan Linnemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04711517194240426383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-78978459852541635942023-07-17T16:22:15.269-06:002023-07-17T16:22:15.269-06:00I will add Troika! to the list. I believe a new ed...I will add Troika! to the list. I believe a new edition is imminent.....Troika! is really interesting, and also a bit confusing; it was the very first indie zine RPG of this sort that I got, so worth revisiting as I initially was incredibly perplexed as to what to do with it. Since then I think I can confidently say that if Mork Borg now makes sense to me, Troika! ought to be a piece of cake.Doctor Futurityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02586371999646337047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-79104976067789311532023-07-16T15:30:21.729-06:002023-07-16T15:30:21.729-06:00I'm enjoying this series!
Also, I wonder how ...I'm enjoying this series!<br /><br />Also, I wonder how you see Troika! fitting into the indie/zine RPG movement. I'm thinking it probably hits the high points you're looking for...?Jonathan Linnemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04711517194240426383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-7674841442341756472023-07-12T13:09:09.025-06:002023-07-12T13:09:09.025-06:00That is actually really good news, thanks for lett...That is actually really good news, thanks for letting me know. I think an expanded version of SS&SS would be really cool.Doctor Futurityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02586371999646337047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-79715482620529326352023-07-12T12:19:43.449-06:002023-07-12T12:19:43.449-06:00Well, the author (Diogo) is working on a second ed...Well, the author (Diogo) is working on a second edition of the game, that should reach the same length as Solar Blades & Cosmic Spells'.<br />I think it should be in editing now-ish.Kyorouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03039756343930755030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-25542379808519028222023-07-09T20:42:28.821-06:002023-07-09T20:42:28.821-06:00There's a free version of the rules on their w...There's a free version of the rules on their website that's lacking the art, if people want to check it out. jdh417https://www.blogger.com/profile/14541882649762424101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-30361203475241050162023-06-02T10:02:44.019-06:002023-06-02T10:02:44.019-06:00I've nabbed 9 of the ACKS sourcebooks and modu...I've nabbed 9 of the ACKS sourcebooks and modules so far, all great stuff. Plotting how to spring this on my game group now. Probably the live group though, I don't see that ACKS has any Roll20 support. Doctor Futurityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02586371999646337047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-37913832417220030412023-06-02T07:58:01.964-06:002023-06-02T07:58:01.964-06:00The supplements are top notch as wellThe supplements are top notch as wellBrutorz Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10261330634648140358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-19762021529368527872023-06-01T21:31:28.511-06:002023-06-01T21:31:28.511-06:00Thanks for this reminder! A former GM of mine used...Thanks for this reminder! A former GM of mine used this to great effect, and now it's time for me to do the same. :-)TheGrayFoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13987650227174001914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-60492703512803905952023-06-01T18:20:13.796-06:002023-06-01T18:20:13.796-06:00I have a good bit of the ACKS stuff, loads of fun!...I have a good bit of the ACKS stuff, loads of fun!Brutorz Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10261330634648140358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4566357373248344031.post-58977226303228147842023-06-01T09:30:56.839-06:002023-06-01T09:30:56.839-06:00For some reason I find this spam comment really am...For some reason I find this spam comment really amusing. It's more coherent than they have been in the past, maybe signs of a LLM doing the writing?Doctor Futurityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02586371999646337047noreply@blogger.com