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Calling All Dungeon Masters

Posted by michael on from the you-must-face-the-gazebo-alone dept.

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.

8 of 295 comments (clear)

  1. Wizards of the Coast by funkhauser · · Score: 5, Interesting
    WotC seems to have a refreshingly player-centric attitude lately. From a player-designed D&D campaign setting to player-designed cards and player input on the next edition of Magic: the Gathering, it really is good to see a gaming company actually realize that players like to get involved in the games they play. Kudos to them.

    --
    Learn to Play Go
    1. Re:Wizards of the Coast by caseydk · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The only thing I don't like about all this is the fact that it all becomes property of them. I've been working on a world off and on for about 8 years now (Hey, college got in the way) and this sounds pretty cool.

    2. Re:Wizards of the Coast by AshPattern · · Score: 2, Interesting

      We need them for the same reasons that most open source projects need standards organizations, graphic artists, and maintainers. Think of WotC as a roleplaying CVS repository.

  2. Auto Generation for Consistancy by codemonkey_uk · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Well, shit, isn't the timing magnificent. I've been playing an AD&D game run by some friends of mine, and there have been some problems with consistency, which got me thinking about automatic generation of realistic worlds for use as settings for rollplaying games.

    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!

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    Thad

  3. Ideas, not numbers, matter by Raedwald · · Score: 2, Interesting

    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:

    Glorantha has a wonderful mix of three elements: an all-pervasive mythic structure, an elaborate and lovingly (co-) created history and culture, and a wacky sense of fun. Try to keep all three. Though vary the mix.
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    Ne mæg werig mod wyrde wiðstondan, ne se hreo hyge helpe gefremman.
  4. Not completely off topic by night_flyer · · Score: 4, Interesting

    seems someone at WoTC is in some deep doodoo...

    Hasbro Fires Exec, Claiming Embezzlement

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    Thanks to file sharing, I purchase more CDs
    Thanks to the RIAA, I buy them used...
  5. Re:No it is D&D they dumbed down by Conare · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I completely disagree. I left D&D for the Hero system long ago due to D&D's absurdity. I have since come back to the third edition, because of its careful balance, lack of needless complexity, and playability. Combat is efficient while still allowing room for improvization and special moves(Disarm, Trip, Charge, fight defensive, etc.) Feats add depth both for role playing and roll playing. Prestige classes allow infinite character customization. If it sounds like I am sold it's because I am. To WotC I say, "Bully" (Inside joke involving Minotaur NPC, sorry)

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    Stop Continental Drift! Reunite Gondwanaland!
  6. Re:Small prize for winner, bigger prize for WotC by Allen+Varney · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Forgotten Realms which, if I recall correctly, Ed Greenwood still owns the rights to

    Untrue. Ed Greenwood sold all rights to the Forgotten Realms to TSR circa 1986-7 for $100. I have this information from Greenwood himself and from one of the TSR marketing execs involved in the purchase.

    It's easy to shudder and say, "What a maroon!" But Greenwood says he knew exactly what he was doing, is happy with the decision, and would do it again. By selling the Forgotten Realms, he bought himself an entire career writing novels and modules for TSR/Wizards, has travelled the world as a guest at gaming conventions, and has made countless friends. No, the Realms hasn't made him rich, but he feels himself rich in other, more important ways.