Slashdot Mirror
Calling All Dungeon Masters
Well, this is not really in Slashdot's main focus, but heck, it's a rare nerd who hasn't at least dabbled in D&D. Wizards of the Coast is looking to build a new campaign world, along the lines of Dragonlance or Forgotten Realms, and they're offering cash prizes. Their document (.doc file; Abiword reads it; try here if that link doesn't work) sums up the contest. Comments in this thread suggest they're looking for medieval fantasy settings. Show some writing flair and creative ability and take home enough cash to buy literally dozens of lead figurines AND a few new D30's... Update: 06/07 20:38 GMT by M : WOTC has the contest on their site now.
Learn to Play Go
They've got D30s now?! The most "sided" official DnD die that I know of is D20. There is a D100 but it's the size of a handball.
Last I heard, they'd dumbed it down bigstyle at the request of Hasbro so that it would appeal to the Pokemon players.
I hear there's a newer edition out now - have they reinstated Interrupts?
"Why did they cancel my favorite Sci-Fi show? I downloaded ALL the episodes!"
...its 2d10, with one die representing the "tens" and the other die representing the "units".
Wonder how much they'll be making off the new books? =)
-Berj
Am I the only one thinking that WotC would be saving a LOT of cash by getting a member of the public to design their new system for them for free?
I'm guessing that the prize will not be equal to a game designers salary.
Ant.
This is not funny
So I'm a pervert. Welcome to the Internet.
Shit, I'm converting my boxxen today!
Crikey.
Will they be casting a sight spell at some point, or relying on braille, I wonder ...
They are going towards diablo again? Or will it be Warcraft world now? Hmm.... I say! Buy Games Workshop and make a Warhammer (Futuristic) RPG!
Come on slashdot! Why don't you put on something intresting. Like how Microsoft got complaints about its shocking X Box adverts in the UK. Or one of those wacky webservers or even another photo tour of a factory
$ yes >
Obviously it'll need to be expanded a little bit, but I think it can be turned into a setting easily enough.
I think there is a lot that can be done. Fractal terrain generation is a well understood area. Developing on that you can use social evolution heuristics to determine the locations of settlements, and teh development of towns, and cities. You can use historical demographic data to determine what might be found at each settlement. From there its only a short step to generating a population for those settlements.
Which is about where I started thinking about writing some code. Last weekend I actually put some of my ideas into action. Its far from complete, but this serverside script demonstrates the beginnings of what can be done. There are problems with execution time - PHP isn't my usual language, and the 30 second limit is preventing it from working with populations larger than 750, but you can see where I'm going with it - generation of random populations, assignment of possitions within the community based on ability, and the code is in place for the generation of familiys with inherited genetic traits. Of course, the source code is available (via a link at the bottom of the page), so you can run with the idea if you can't wait for me to develop it further.
Once all these details are handled computationally, the designer can focus on the most important aspect of the game world - the plot!
Thad
Too bad they'd have to invent them first. :(
The most is d 100...its a golf ball basically. D20 is the step under it.
$100,000.. cold hard US greenbacks for the winner. One time "consulting" fee. Of course, if you are good enough, I am sure you could parlay this into the Book, Movie, and merchandise.
In the immortal words of Dude, Where's My Car":
SWEET!!!!
Sent from your iPad.
i just got a A+ in math, wooohoo!
Burger King, where all Dungeon Masters eat! (See: EP2 Triumph the Dog Clip)
both dungeons and dragons can be found in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Or at least it feels like it. Well there *is* a Gopher and a hole down there somewhere.
So, they're going to drop or outsource some of the greatest, most long-running and beloved campaign settings in favour of something new? Perhaps something they can call their 100% own and not have to worry about previous creators?
its now Hasbro. They also bought out SSI the comp gamers, D&D/TSR, and some others.
They are weak(Has.), for they only use "Wadsofmoneymade" games, and shelve the rest. This seems a huge departure on their part. MTG player contribs? Wow, wouldn't have guessed. Then again, if they are serious about keeping peoples interest, they should stop card yankin'(want this card to work again? need this one, that one's out of date, obsolete because...bullsh*t 'cuz you only wind up buying craploads of cards)
If they want a setting, it seems kinda pricey for the payout, but they can use anybodys idea, pay the one person/group their money, and claim it's a wash, then use ALL the ideas submitted. I read the doc, seems like they could do that.
Even if it didn't seem rip-off, I wonder what has happened to their talent pool? It's not like Phil foglio ain't doing anything else, but what about the D&D side? Isn't Gary Gygax crying in beer he got divorced, and she got all the good stuff? He could be pressed into service, but why not?
It all smells like rip-off
This mind intentionally left blank.
The KKK a bunch of sheetheads? You decide!
Where's the WTC?
Yes, you could generate detailed demographics using some computer programs, but why bother? None of the players or their characters will have access to census data, nor will they be particularly interested in them.
Really interesting RPG settings, such as Glorantha and Tékumel shine because of the quality and depth of the ideas, not the complexity of the numbers. Take some advice from John Hughes:
Ne mæg werig mod wyrde wiðstondan, ne se hreo hyge helpe gefremman.
"similar to your existing settings, particularly Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance" ... kind of bland.
wonderful idea, but I don't see why it needs such restriction (any submission from me will disregard that suggestion).
I'm a fan of fantasy and I can see why Wizards is saying that, but there are already tons of settings like Forgotten Realms (Mystara, Greyhawk, Birthright, and Lanhkmar(sp?) to name a few official 2nd ed ones).
I certainly hope that gerneric medeival fantasy isn't D&D's new niche (they did sell off Ravenloft, but they did wonders with Rogukan (OA) and here's for hoping Dark Sun is out soon).
oh, man you should (will?) all see my current campaign world (~7 years in development); it's Birthright meets Dark Sun meets pseudo-Ancient Egypt (literally)...
Use my userscript to add story images to Slashdot. There's no going back.
I can't stand 'fantasy' BS. I've never played or seen a D+D or WarHammer game. I've haven't seen Star Wars, I've haven't seen LOTR, etc etc. So I must be rare :-D I do quite like Star Trek though.
However, I do understand the language of hot babes, so I might see Episode II for Natalie Portman's hot bod.
mogorific carpentry experiments
seems someone at WoTC is in some deep doodoo...
Hasbro Fires Exec, Claiming Embezzlement
Thanks to file sharing, I purchase more CDs
Thanks to the RIAA, I buy them used...
After reading the lawyerese on that form, I just like saying:
"Do not breach a contract with Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to litigation."
Inventor of the LOLbalrog meme.
Ohh, not this sort of dungeon? I'll go get my (rubber) coat.
Yes, I agree that it's the "quality and depth of the ideas, not the complexity of the numbers" that matters, but you have to admit blatant inconsistencies in the game world distract from the experience by breaking the suspension of disbelief. Using automated tools for the generation of the inconsequential details not only improves consistency, but takes a huge load of the designers hands, allowing him or her to focus on the bigger picture.
Thad
Michael wrote:
/.'s alley. So many geeks, so many D&D adventures....of course, if it were Star Trek or Star Wars, it would be hugely on-topic I guess....biznitches
"Well, this is not really in Slashdot's main focus, but heck, it's a rare nerd who hasn't at least dabbled in D&D."
Dude, I disagree. This is right up
There are really two issues at hand in what you say. The first, the quality of results, is one that can be tackled computationally.
You say that "is something amazingly skewiff about computer-generated randomness", but I would argue that it is because of the low quality and inherent simplicity of most character generators. There is more to it than just random number generation. You have to make things a bit more sophisticated than that, which is what I am trying to do with the scripts.
The other issue you mention, is the plot, if you read my other comments you will see that that is not something I would want to handle with tools. The tool is supposed to take the pressure to do all the inconsequential details out of the hands of the designer in order to free him up to do the real work.
You are right that a NPC generator tool is not a good idea for you main plot line characters, but for the inconsequential shop keeper, baker, or blacksmith, and for the "random" villages you find along your way, it keeps things varied, interesting, consistent and believable.
Thad
why was this modded down? that girl looks younger than sailor moon.
seems someone at WoTC is in some deep doodoo...
...
Hasbro Fires Exec, Claiming Embezzlement
thank you soooo much for bringing that up
this could be the end of Wizards' full content control
and bring an era of Hasbro-delegated misery to d20/mtg
moderators please mod the parent up; I didn't find the link, he did.
Use my userscript to add story images to Slashdot. There's no going back.
this is not really in Slashdot's main focus
If this isn't News for Nerds, then nothing is!
While I am new to PHP, I am a very experianced programmer, and the script has been peer reviewed by a PHP pro. Somethings are just computationally expensive, I'm afraid...
Thad
Visit http://www.Gamemaster-Online.net for all of your gaming needs.
You might consider upping the max execution time in /etc/php.ini
---
"The chances of a demonic possession spreading are remote -- relax."
My father is a blogger.
it will be interestnig to see what comes of this, since the main draw for me of the Forgotten Realms as a player setting was that it has a huuuuge backstory, each town and character has a history, everything is present and it all felt cohesive.
dragonlance didnt have that 'cohesiveness' that the Realms had with history, geography, and politics, etc.
So I'm eager to see what people come up with, and truth be told, I'm expecting very very little!
we need a Feng Shui crpg, something with depth, using the fallout2 engine, multithreaded quests and hong kong action....
no sig for you
Cool, at what level do I get to roll a D30 for my attack rolls?
---
"The chances of a demonic possession spreading are remote -- relax."
Well you could, and this is probably a bit anal, but 2d10 doesn't give the same spread as D100 (the histogram would look like a hill for 2d10, whereis D100 will be linear (assuming it were possible to make a D100 with all the sides the same :-))
www.gamingreport.com and www.enworld.org posted the following rumor. It's not offical, at present, but there has not confirmation or denial from WotC as to the truth of it all.
Well, Wizards of the Coast seems to of take some interesting turns as of late. We have received several tips from readers and have now received several confirmations about some stunning changes at Wizards of the Coast. Here is the break down of all the tips from reliable, anonymous sources.
Recently there was in an internal investigation at Wizards of the Coast which allegedly unearthed a massive fraud operation within the employees. This resulted in the firing of several high level executives. It is alleged that Sr. VP of Production Tom Federline had setup a funneling operation to pipe money out of Wizards' production department and into his own personal accounts. In addition, to the revelation concerning Mr. Federline, the Renton, Washington police department is reportedly filing, or filed, a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Mr. Federline. The investigation apparently did not uncover any misdealing concerning Vince Caluori, however, in an internal company memo Vince announced his departure. Apparently, Vince' is being replaced by a Hasbro representative from the main office and Loren Greenwood, former VP of Sales, is now taking on the duties of COO. The new CEO is based in Rhode Island so what that means for WotC's Washington State future is uncertain. We were passed Vince's internal farewell letter by a tipster. This email is posted below in its entirety.
From: Vince Caluori
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2002 12:39 PM
Subject:
Dear friends and co-workers,
A little over five years ago I agreed to come to work for one year to help get WOTC over the challenge of acquiring and assimilating TSR. With mixed emotions I am announcing that the "year" is up! It has been a wonderful time for me and I hope for all of you. We have accomplished more then any of us could have ever expected and I leave at the end of this month a healthy and vibrant company. We are the best at what we do and no one can ask for more then that! I cannot express how proud I am of our company and each of you.
I could never leave you if we did not have excellent management ready to take over and lead our company forward to even better times. Chuck Huebner will become our CEO focusing on our relationships with other parts of the corporation and strategic leadership. I have worked closely with Chuck over the past several months, and I know he has the drive and dedication to help build this business.
Loren Greenwood will become EVP and Chief Operating Officer concentrating on the day to day operations of the company. I'm confident that his experience and knowledge of our business will keep us focused on our objectives and on an upward path as you go forward.
This a great pair of managers with complementary skills and the ability and desire required to move us to another level of performance. They deserve your congratulations and need your help. Don't let them down!
During this month we will be transitioning to these new roles and I will move away from day to day decision making but I will give both of them my support and will remain available on an on-going basis for advice and consultation to ensure an effective transition. I hope to have a chance to see each of you during this time but if I don't you know you can always find me enjoying the benefits of being a retired employee in the gym, at the go-kart track or at our great golf tournament.
Best to all of you and thanks for being my co-workers.........It has been great!
Vince
We are currently attempting to get an official word from WotC's press department but have only received no comment or no answer. We will continue to attempt to get an official word.
We have also heard of a few other changes that may very well bode the end of WotC in its current state. There are allegedly deals in the works to move the WotC retail stores to new owners as part of a separate deal. The details are a sketchy as the details of the deal are still being worked out. Apparently this change is going to happen within the next few months if not sooner.
We have received information on other changes in process. However, until we receive confirmation from other sources we will not post these. We will keep you informed as we are able.
"Only one thing, is impossible for god: to find any sense in any copyright law on the planet." Mark Twain
Yes. Karma-whoring, here I come :-)
The best land generator I've found is Torben Mongensen's "planet.c". You can find it here. It's not GPL, but you can see the source and learn of it, at least :-) The results are quite good, though there's a few limitations: it doesn't do erosion and rivers, for example, which is something that could be very, very important if you want to use a map for a RPG setting. Rivers are the places where many cities are built, and crossing of rivers are always fertile lands. Well, anyway it's the only gripe I have about this program. For the rest, I like it very much :-) It can do a lot of different projections, and magnification, so you can really see the world from every point of view.
There's other nice terrain generator here. This does erosion and rivers, and the source is also available. It's for Windows, though the creator says that should compile well in Linux or related. I haven't tried yet O:-) The problem is that, besides not being "readily available" for Linux, I don't like the maps generated by it too much. And it doesn't plenty of projections, as Mogensen's program does (or, to be precise, I think it doesn't; I'm not a expert with this program). It runs fine under Wine, btw ;-)
Another fine tool: TerraGen. Shareware, but free for personal use. Great. The results of this program are awesome. I'm sure that it's easy to use the output of Mogensen's program to renderize it (some small part, I mean) with TerraGen, but I haven't tried a lot and consequently I don't know how :-/ This runs somewhat well under Wine, too.
The program that looks great for all this, anyway, is MojoWorld. And not forgetting, of course, all of ProFantasy Products. But these cost quite a few bucks, so I don't have and can't speak about them O:-)
Fractal terrain generation is something I'm quite interested, though only from the user point of view. I don't know how to even program something to output a simple Mandelbrot fractal O:-) If you know something more about all this, don't make me check for every /. post: mail me at ask4it (at) gpul.org :-)
My weblog in spanish
"the histogram would look like a hill for 2d10"
Can you explain this one? If it were a 2d50 added together then yes, but surely for a tens and units pairing the histogram has to be flat; otherwise it wouldn't be for 1d10 either.
"I Know You Are But What Am I?"
What a good way to get free source material. "Submit your "contest entry", which becomes our property and we MIGHT give you the chance to win some money". Damn I need to think of such things.
You are right - I'm talking bollox - the incident I was thinking of was someone subtituting 2d10 for a d20.
:-/
Sorry
Weighs 16 pounds. I take it out sometimes and throw it at some wooden pins at the end of alley to see what number I get.
"Seven Deadly Sins? I thought it was a to-do list!"
"Comments in this thread suggest they're looking for medieval fantasy settings"
Great, just what the world needs, another medieval fantasy setting for an RPG. Would it KILL them to do something more different? I know that the rulesystem is really set up for this sort of world, and obviously there is a fair bit of difference between, say, the worlds of Robin Hobb and Terry Pratchett, but something that really stretched it would be far more interesting.
"I Know You Are But What Am I?"
While generating the setting and population from a script has its merits, and I know that there are programs out there currently that allow this type of thing, I think in the end it really just creates really, really bland worlds, because no imagination goes into the design process.
The best thing about designing a Fantasy world is that the genre of Fantasy pretty much means that the laws of Physics are merely optional, not required. Terrain can be as bizarre and unrealistic as you want, and generally it leads to whole new ideas about civilizations that might have cropped up in the area, not to mention that the players will enjoy romping through the area far more than just trekking across a forest or field.
Think of Mt. Rainer -- just swap out Wizard's Island with the Devil's Tower for a scene that really conjures up a world of magic and monsters. Or drop part of the Grand Caynon in the Pine Barrens. Mix and match ecosystems and habits at will, or heck, just look at any number of covers for Yes albums.
The same goes for designing the flora and fauna of the world, and every other aspect, too. Not everything has to be weird or "new," but at the same time, not everything should be predictable or "standard."
Naturally, this may not be the way for everyone. A program to generate everything out to realistic detail is preferable to some, no doubt. My own personal feelings reside in that the more a Fantasy world incorperates the actual Fantastic, the more enjoyable it'll be for the players.
Matt
The Wizards link is here. Why didn't the submitter link to the original?
:-)
:-)
Very cool. I'm in the midst of documenting a campaign for 3rd edition -- I guess I'll submit the intro
Thanks for the link! News for nerds indeed
Am I going mad, or did I read "Well, this is not really in Slashdot's main focus" in the topic blurb?
First of all, if Slashdot HAS a focus (main or otherwise) I'd just love to see someone take a stab at describing what it is.
Second, geeks are gamers. Period. There's just no way in hell that those involved in computers and IT technology, especially those born sooner than 1970, haven't been exposed to gaming in some way. Maybe they didn't game, but some of their friends did. Heck, lots of folks cut their programming teeth on quick little apps to make RPGs easier to play.
As for the contest... well shit, doesn't sound too bad. They're basically allowing some very smart and creative individual a shot at making it into the gaming industry. Sure, they're saving a ton of development costs. Sure, they'll use a lot more of the stuff they get than just the finalists. Just remember that nobody's holding a gun to your head forcing you to give them your ideas.
Wizards has always cared more for their playerbase than the majority of the gaming companies out there. TSR treated folks like dirt, chasing all over the internet shutting down anything even remotely related to their products. Wizards releases a 3rd generation dice system free uner a license that isn't too dissimilar in spirit from the GPL, and allows the fan work to flourish. Small wonder they resurrected dungeons and dragons after TSR ran it into the ground.
TSR never should have dumped Gygax...
Hell is being intelligent in a world full of idiots.
... promoting fish fillets for all Dragon Masters.
I guess that's what happens after two days with no sleep and watching that Triumph video a couple times too many.
Freedom is the freedom to say 2+2=4, everything else follows...
set_time_limit(36000);
Should cover your execution limit problem, unless your server has Safe Mode on.
-- Tino Didriksen
Thanks for such a detailed constructive critism. Rather than continue discussion here, if your interested in discussing the details, or would just like to know when I do an update, feel free to email me.
Thad
But I honestly doubt this is the case, for several reasons:
--WOTC, as I mentioned, has had their budget cut tremendously. The odds that they could hire on more people on a full-time basis isn't too likely. The consultant-based contest approach might be the best way to still get decent products developed.
--I hate to break this to any aspiring game designers, but these positions are not six-figure incomes. One of my friends works for what remains of West End Games, and even when the company was doing well (i.e. before the went bankrupt), she was only making around 30K a year or so. The prize money really seems comparable to what an actual salary would be. Where WOTC saves is that they don't have to provide benefits, insurance, etc., that they would with a salaried employee.
--WOTC has recieved some pretty hefty bashing over the years, particularly for their handling of GenCon. Their customer base of Magic players has lost a lot of its power, and the remaining gaming communtiy, in general, just doesn't trust WTOC enough to buy their products. If they don't want to crash and burn like TSR did, they have to win those customers back -- this is probably a good way to go about it. Putting the power in the hands of the players will at least give them some better P.R.
Overall, I think it's an interesting idea. What I find most amusing is that this is similar to an actual project, in that the deadline is only a couple weeks away. I'd better get started on my submission.
Matt
As much as I would love to contribute to this, I'm afraid that I've already sold my soul for next nine months (or so) for Neverwinter Nights (well ok, rented I guess). My playing sessions will be described in units of DAYS instead of hours.
..... come out then?
<jonStewartLike>Thank you ProVigil!</jonStewartLike>.
Maybe next year? Oh wait, but doesn't
TSR isn't wholly to blame for their treatment of D&D. A lot of the developers wanted things changed, but from my understanding, one of the big guys(actually, it was a female), like the CEO or something, hated gamers. What she was doing with the company is anyone's guess, but it's no surprise that things started going badly for them.
- Free tabletop fantasy gaming! Grey Lotus
Dungeon masters.... Bondage + Domination.... Oh, hang on... *D* and D... damn!
...and in which it turns out several of the warriors' leaders are half-trolls themselves.
Every good story needs a plot twist or two.
Or use this function at the top of your script:
void set_time_limit ( int seconds)
as described on php.net
It wasn't too long ago that WoTC was considered that other Monopoly from Washington State. And after Hasbro bought Avalon-Hill, it seemed like if you wanted to play any interesting new board games, you had to learn German.
What happened to make WoTC one of the good guys? Seriously, I'm lacking on the history of the last few years and would like an update... It must be more than just a silly contest that's causing /.ers to like this company...
You can't beat Gary Gygax's random dungeon algorithms from the back of the original Dungeon Masters' Guide.
Someone you trust is one of us.
There's no address to send the form to, and I've had a quick gander at the WotC site - there doesn't seem to be anything about it up there? Anyone got a link to an official page on this?
Actually, it was New York that passed a state law banning lead in figurines. This was back around '95. There was never any proof that the lead in the figures ever harmed anybody, but the law required the entire miniature industry to comply if they sold minis in NY.
So we got an inferior alloy that makes converting harder. It took a year or two before quality castings returned, but believe me, the changeover was an excuse to raise prices that never went back down after the initial investment went was recouped.
You can write a D&D universe where adventurers cope with slaying dragons in a post-9/11, post columbine, post-getting-your-ass-kicked-daily-in-high-school world.
*re-hands in the whitepapers for Spelljammer*
Seriously, any game that you can destroy a ship by lighting a match in space is a-ok in my book.
Do we REALLY need another campaign setting? Dark Sun, Birthright, Spelljammer, Al-Qadim and I'm sure some others have flopped. Dragonlance 5th age sucked too. Hell, do they even RELEASE Ravenloft stuff anymore? Thought not.
They went and took away all the good stuff, but at least left us with Forgotten Realms (whew).
First Wizards passes up the money cow that is Dragonlance for the 3E/d20 system (althugh, Margreat Wies, one of the creators of the world is going to be publishing the setting for 3E, through her own company), retired Planescape (as in, all the flavour is drained, and the concepts are laid out in Manual of the Planes), shunted Ravenloft off to White Wolf (You know, makes of Vampire the Masqurade, and such... they did a good edition, but should have made the core book compleat, without the need for their DM book)
Pretty much all they kept is Grayhawk (original D&D setting) and Forgotten Realms... both proven products, but, in the case of Dragonlance (nothing new published for games in ages) and Ravenloft, they were established as well.
And they're looking to take a risk on a new venture? paying a total of $160,000 for two potential ideas and one rough product? true, for the independant who gets the money, it's a dream, unless they want to retain ownerwhip of the materials.
myself, i'll keep hacking away on my own settings, useing them and developing them more... if I publish, I'll make them compatible with the Open Game License and release them digitally. Sure, migh not make money, but I have control over them.
My point is that while I think it is great to create new worlds, why limit it to the simplistic and very unroleplaying ruleset of D&D? D&D's ruleset is great for pen and paper, don't get me wrong. But I guess this comes from frustration at seeing so many computer games that use "D&D Rulesets" that in essence limit the gaming experience.
Its like simulators for Golf Driving Ranges.... you are simulating a practice element of a game that is not really even a sport. Perhaps we should then make a new 'golf game' that is a RL version of these Driving Range Games? That seems to be the level of distraction... er abstraction here. How about creating a new campaign world, but then using multiple rulesets for it?
Oh yeah, the third edition rules were apparently created with conversion to computer games in mind. Perhaps they would have done better had they simply extended the existing ruleset into what players wanted, then creating modules for expanded and more complex rulesets for computergames. (some use very complex system for table top... some use computers to calculate all the advanced stuff to save the DM and players from rolling for 20 minutes per action)
D30s are kinda cool. They are the largest statistically valid die I have ever seen (take a close look at those D100s and you will notice that the sides are not evenly spaced.
Actually, I still prefer the ol' pythagorean polyhedrons (4, 6, 8, 12, and 20 siders). On a completely unrelated note, but one that should interest you if you like RPGs or polyhedrons is that at the artisan markets in Quito, is is possible to buy quartz dodecahedrons (OK, so they are not quite regular because they are hand-made). (A D12 is a dodecahedron.)
Also, the other die are cool because the Pythagoreans associated them with the four elements and spirit (tetrahedron/d4=fire, cube/d6=earth, octahedron/d8=air, dodecahedron/12=spirit, and icosahedron/d20=water).
Guess I am kinda a wealth of useless information...
LedgerSMB: Open source Accounting/ERP
We've seen open source software, but now we have an open source semantic-base, where people fill in the meaning of the plot. No doubt, one could modularize this and keep adding new "winners" of these open source plot competitions. Hey, it beats paying writers to be creative; let the do-gooders work for free!
brinticus
---------
"Technology is most likely to let you down when you need it most" -- Montgomery's axiom #2
A "Munchkin" quote? How much did Steve jackson pay you for that one?.. 8-)
Stéphane "Alias" Gallay
Now, where did I put this witty quote?..
Oh, the D100 is basically a golf ball! The idea "looks" good on paper, but in execution the d100 sucks. too big, too many faces, takes far to long to come to rest. I MUCH prefer 2d10.
(okay, here's where I bring it back ontopic)
Besides, a good DM can make do with a d6, and either a d10 or a d20. everything else can be improvised from the above. Don't lose the spirit of the game and push the story; the DM already knows what he wants his players to do and most "tests" have only two options: you did it, or you didn't. They can come up with some number for you to beat and you either do or don't. Oh sure, you can make the combat last a bunch of rounds, but you either roll well a lot, or you don't.
As long as there's a set up ("Call the guards! The princess is missing! A reward for anyone who finds her!"), a decently long discovery phase ("where was the butler on the night of the attack? What is the theives guild up to? And who broke into the palace's treasure room but stole only a daggar?"), an enemy revealed ("THE BISHOP!"), and/or a betrayal, a fight and then some form of denoument (look it up), that sounds like a fun night to me!
Or you could just play illuminati and end the night fighting with your friends in a paranoid rage.
Cuthulu, anyone?
In the future, I would want to not be isolated from my friends in the Space Station.
First off, there is no source code to open up.
Secondly, game mechanics cannot be copyrighted.
Thirdly, the d20 license has some serious restrictions, such as not being able to implement your own character generation rules. To use the d20 license, you're obligated to piggy-back on WOTC's Player's Handbook (the reason behind this license is so they can sell many copies of that book). But the license should NOT be considered as open-source as it imposes serious restrictions. It's more of a mass-licensing type of situation.
Actually a D30, while not a platonic solid, does have sides with equilateral edge-lengths. What it doesn't have is sides with regular polygons, as they are (usually) 4-sided diamonds.. so they have two acute and two obtuse angles per side. Platonic solids have sides who's edges are the same length and angles are the same.
:)
;)
NTL, they _are_ balanced for all sides.. at least to within reasonable tolerances.
Sharper
Ps: The fact that there _is_ a largest-possible-platonic-solid is a kinda cool mathmatical proof
Actually what the kids are doing these days are, instead of rolling a d100 "golf ball," rolling two d10s, designating one the 10s digit and the other the 1s digit beforehand. I don't know the statistical validity of this, but it does keep the ol' Royal Corona bag from getting too lumpy.
They even make d10s that are marked 10,20,30,...,00.
Trolls: The high-tech version of those morons that scrawl obscenities in public bathrooms.
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/dx200 20606a
-- null
You can find all the gory details here.
D&D 3e isn't even that good of a game system. There are obvious "sacred cows" that remain in the system because they didn't want to piss off all the fanboyz. Man, give me the real Call of Cthulhu anyday before that d20 crap. Give me Rolemaster or Warhammer FRP for gritty fantasy. Give me Blue Planet for hard sci-fi. Give me HERO System for superhero games. Etc... Point is, the game system you use has a lot of impact on the flavor of the game. There ain't no one-size fits all, because as in all aspects of life, a system that's optimized for one task, is not the best at other tasks...
Oh well, sorry for the rant. I'm just sick of hearing about d20 this and d20 that.
to the level of a video game. The 3rd ED sucks badly. It seems obvious that the designers were playing DIablo during much of the so-called rewrite. Hasbro has allowed WotC to continue with their plans, which seem to be to kill any real playability of D&D.
errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
The idea that D&D is off topic for slashdot is ridiculous.
When you look at the popularity of rpg's in the computerati versus the general population, it's clear that there is more than coincidence at work.
It's interesting too when you consider that E Gary Gygax was an insurance adjuster. It's all about the numbers. Gamers and open-source computer geeks are both romantic math amateurs.
evanchik.net
The main title "Calling All Dungeon Masters"
I mean can you imagine actually calling all Dungeon Masters? Shit, you'd never be able to get off the phone. They would be talking your ear off on all sorts of pointless annoying crap.
So if God created the universe in 7 days... that means we have twice as long to complete ours! No problem.
yeah like I said in my post, I prefer the 2d10.
However I thought the d10 marked 10,20,30,....
was lame. Use your imagination!
As for statistical validity it works- you get values from 00-99, and your chance of rolling any given two digit number (09, 10,87)
is 1/10 * 1/10, giving you 1/100.
THe only problem is, when you roll them 1 at a time and your ten's digit is a 0, MAN OH MAN are you praying to roll another 0! (100 being (usually) far better than 06!)
In the future, I would want to not be isolated from my friends in the Space Station.
She posts her on Slashdot . Wow I may have even read one of her posts! God I feel so lucky!
Quotha:
However I thought the d10 marked 10,20,30,.... was lame. Use your imagination!
Don't blame me! I didn't do it!
THe only problem is, when you roll them 1 at a time and your ten's digit is a 0, MAN OH MAN are you praying to roll another 0! (100 being (usually) far better than 06!)
I must admit I prayed to the dice gods more than once, making sacrificies, promising never to give up my sacred virginity, stuff like that...
Trolls: The high-tech version of those morons that scrawl obscenities in public bathrooms.
and now when somebody comes along and inputs 999999999999 ... woa! you gotta have shell access to kill the stupid processes...
I don't really go for fantasy or RPG stuff either. I personally am pretty much totally indifferent to the actual stuff itself, but I am sometimes annoyed by the constant exposure to it and the assumption that, because I'm a geek, I must like it.
I have seen LOTR, though, and it was good. The fantasy elements were for the most part neither interesting nor distracting for me. I accepted them as part of the general background of the movie, just as I would have if I had seen some movie set in a foreign country that I'm not especially interested in. There was an occasional moment of overdone fantasy stuff, but I have a feeling that LOTR was probably very restrained in that regard compared to other fantasy movies (and books).
Star Wars, on the other hand, wasn't a particularly good movie, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. Well, except for the whole part of the movie where you-know-who falls in love with you-know-who-else. First of all, "Ani", as an affectionate nickname, just seems forced. It's as if a group of people sat around and said, "'Well, she's got to have a nickname for him. What should it be?' 'I know, how about the first syllable of his name, with an "ee" sound at the end?' 'OK, sounds good to me. Where do you want to go to lunch?'".
Second of all, the 'romantic' dialog was super, super cheesy. And not in the "I am going to be cheesy because I love you" sort of way that happens in real life. No, this was like the screen writers knew they were mostly about sci-fi, so they went to the bookstore and grabbed some romance novels and patterned the dialogue after what they found there.
Thirdly, and most importantly, I don't know if it was the acting or what, but overall I just came away with this feeling that they didn't dig each other at all. When they kissed I was left thinking, "Why are they doing this? They don't really seem to be that interested in each other." If they had been interviewed after their date on one of those dating shows, Padme would have said, "I just didn't feel like we had that 'spark'." Anakin wouldn't have said that, but that's just because he was deluded. And yes, in real life people get into relationships because one of the people is deluded, BUT IT ONLY HAPPENS IF THE OTHER PERSON IS VAGUELY INTERESTED. Otherwise, they sniff it out like a rat and completely shut down. THEY DO NOT say, "Well, he's whiny and clearly deluded about loving me, and I'm indifferent, so I think I'll have a love affair with him."
White Wolf still owns the World of Darkness series(Vampire, Werewolf, Mage, Changling, Hunter). I was a big fan of D&D until WoTC got ahold of it. 3rd Edition is okay but it's just not the same. I've switched over to WoD for all my RPGing. Plus, White Wolf has V:tES, a much better CCG than M:tG. I started playing V:tES and Magic about the same time and quit playing magic about 6 years ago but still play Vampire. Check it all out at http://www.white-wolf.com.
If you think it is, you're suffering from great delusions.
One thing to remember, though, is that unlike conventional publishers, game houses like WoTC buy all rights forever. That means you loose all control. It's not that big a deal (heck, you're being paid) but it sometimes irks me that I can't post my stuff at my site.
If you're interested it pitching something to Dragon, read the submission guidelines and come up with a half dozen ideas. Then EMAIL Dave with the ideas. You might go through twenty or thirty ideas before coming up with a winner, but once he sees something he likes you can get down to scribbling.
Good luck!
"Prepare for the worst - hope for the best."
What I have seen more often (instead of the 00-90 die) is people using just two different colour d10s. I.e. the green die is 1s, the red die is 10s.
/usr/games/fortune
...or read any of the books, or seen the cartoon that was on in the 80s. Y'know why? Cos I thought it was f*cking stupid, BEEOTCH!
They should support GreyHawk. It is the Most detailed campaign setting they (TSR) ever had.
It had the Highest quality maps, best Dungeons, great 'non-dungeon' plots. Granted they were seldom followed, but they where there.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
"I'm holding the Forgotten Realms hostage for $1,000,000,000 dollars!!! muhahahaha."
"ha... ha.. ha..."
"Uhh... Dr. Evil..."
"What too low??"
"Uhh... the state of inflation in the future might be a little different than today"
"Oh... I see..."
"I'm creating a new Forgotten Realms for $100,000 dollars..."
Vital Idea
Instead of hiring talented people and pay them a regular salary + benefits, they're going to ask everyone to pitch in with the promise of cash prizes. 100k ain't that much, considering they're going to be making millions by reprinting the winner's labor of love.
If I were a D&D fan and were to win this contest, I'd much rather win a full-time job at WotC writing more adventures (in addition to the one-time cash prize). I mean, if a guy can write 100 pages of good D&D documentation, he can probably do it again and again until he runs out of names for bad guys. WotC should see this and seize the opportunity, it would be much easier and safer than doing interviews and possibly ending up with an idiot that talks the talk but can't walk the walk.
-Billco, Fnarg.com
WotC only owns what they pay for--the three 100 page writeups & the final game awarded from that.
Everything else--well, if your 1-page or 10-page writeup is rejected, why not do it yourself?
www.freegamingassociation.org
If GPL was like the d20 license, everyone would have to buy a proprietary kernel module from Linus Torvalds to make Linux boot up...
It ain't free, although they managed to stir up a lot of hype and brainwash a lot of people into believing it is. Not surprising, since people are dumb...
Rolemaster was one of the big boys in the old days, and they're still around (www.ironcrown.com), although MERP is dead now. You can however find PDF's most of the MERP books all over the place... The PDF's tend to be very high quality too.
I am Blackwolf, the Dragon Master!
I have 4 of them. Why? I couldn't possibly tell you. I saw them in the dice display, thought it would be fun to have them, and bought them. I had thought of using them instead of d20 for combat against certain creatures. Instead, I've used each one exactly once - rolling for a random day of the month. :sigh:
:g: I'm still waiting for a real use for them, though.
They're about the size of golf balls and roll around just about as much.
Why do I never get a fortune in my fortune cookies?
I have one of those d30's too. Never used it...
The same cannot be said for the unlucky "participants" in the Social Security game.
Actually, the same can be said.
No one forced you to get a social security number, it is totally and completely voluntary.
That is to say, there is no law requiring you to obtain a social security number. "But,", I can already hear you say, "if I didn't have an SSN, how would they track my Income taxes?". Well, gosh, good question. If social security is voluntary, than...
Ah, shucks, nevermind, no one wants to listen anyway...
D&D is dying being replaced by Palladium Books! WOOT!!!
I don't play DND hardly ever anymore, but WTF happended to the books. Every time I read one of the new characters it's "SHE" and "HER". I began to think that the only characters you could play were women, but then I realized that TSR just wanted to cram political corectnesd down our throwts.
Note to TSR or whomever makes this stuff now. Drop the she and her stuff and only use it when it applies. I also thought it was funny that they took out the rule that lowered the stats if you chose to be a woman character! No more -1 strength.
Hmmm I just watched the worlds strongest person competition on ESPN and didn't see ONE woman in the contest. Now I am not saying that there isn't a few thoughsand women that couldn't lift a ton (pun) more than me, but come on!
The more I learn about science, the more my faith in God increases.
I must admit I prayed to the dice gods more than once, making sacrificies, promising never to give up my sacred virginity, stuff like that...
;)
If you were praying to the dice gods, I doubt they needed your pledge to ensure you stayed a virgin
is a shitty place to campaign. No powerful magic to cast. However the new trilogy that is coming out is awesome. It is the War of Souls trilogy. You can find it at B&N or Amazon. Its by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
I/O, I/O, its off to disk I go, with a read and a write, and a bit and a byte, I/O, I/O, I/O, I/O
The 'Players Options' were a giant Kludge, and the knew it. That's why the new optional class guides are much better... everything in them is actually OPTIONAL, and is not much better or worse than the normal abilities. Nor does using those rules break the normal rules.
There are a few minor unbalancing things in the optional rules... I recall one of the added exotic weapons in Swords and Fist was abnormally more powerful than any of the core exotic weapons. However, as a DM you can balance that by allowing them to buy the fancy exotic weapon... just never make a magical sword from one. Eventually they will become powerful enough to craft their own magical sword out of one, but by then the extra damage it does will be negligable compared to their character power.
In short (too late!) yes, Player Options in 2nd edition sucked. They do not in 3rd edition.
"I will trust Google to 'do no evil' until the founders no longer run it." Hello Alphabet.
Of course there would be warring factions of clerics that worship the opposing gods Emacs and VI.
-Z
That's the real purpose of the D30. "Attention Getter" would be another name.
-- Mal: "Well they tell you: never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious."
Thanks for making me choke on my lunch!
It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire speed, the teeth acquire stains. The stains become a warning
Being a horny guy gives you something in common with 99% of geeks/nerds.
B.t.w., I'm surprised you like Star Trek. A whole damn universe full of people qualified as aliens because they something wierd glued to their foreheads.