Geektro Episode 4: Dungeons & Dragons

on Sep 04 in Episode, Gaming tagged David Graver, Dungeons & Dragons, Gabe, Geektro, MMORPGs, NY Comic Con, Penny Arcade, PvP, Scott Kurtz, Tycho, Wil Weaton, Wizards of the Coast, WoW by Sean Jaques

Geektro Episode 4: Dungeons & Dragons from Geektro on Vimeo.

My friend Omer has played Dungeons & Dragons going back a long ways. The way he describes 4.0 is that they took the some of the traditional role playing elements from D&D and revamped the combat system to be similar to popular MMORPGs. The WoWization of Dungeons & Dragons. I certainly understand why some of the more traditional players would be turned off by this and continue to play traditional 3.5. But I’ve never played before 4.0 and now, I can’t stop.
The new combat system is way more accessible than the previous one. A marked improvement in “playability.” But making the game easier to play makes enhances the other elements of the game. Role playing becomes easier when you don’t spend half the game looking up rules or trying to win the encounter in the most efficient manner possible.

It was awesome to meet Chris Perkins, also known as the Dungeon Master for the PA/PVP/WW podcasts. He was a generally cool dude and I can understand that those podcasts are really enhanced by his involvement. Though, I’m sure listening to Gabe, Tycho, Scott Kurtz and Wil Weaton recite php code would be entertaining.