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How D&D Shaped the Modern Videogame

Posted by Zonk on from the roll-to-save-vs-awesome dept.

PC Gamer UK, via the CVG site, has a feature up on the influence Dungeons and Dragons had on the development of videogaming. The role D&D has had in inspiring gamers is fairly well known; Masters of Doom chronicles the inspiration the Johns' campaign had on the creation of Doom and Quake. The article discusses more recent confluences of the tabletop game and videogame development, such as Obsidian's use of pen-and-paper to develop the early areas of Neverwinter Nights 2. Ideas for the late, lamented, Fallout 3 were sparked by a number of tabletop roleplaying moments from developer campaigns.

7 of 128 comments (clear)

  1. What if TSR had patented "hit points?" by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 4, Funny
    What if TSR had patented "hit points?" Or, "the idea that one hit doesn't kill the player"?

    Could you teach computer to run a D&D campaign?
    You'd probably have a better shot with English, first. But for Christ's sake, who among us DIDN'T write a dice simulator or treasure generator before hitting the teenage years?
    1. Re:What if TSR had patented "hit points?" by Planesdragon · · Score: 4, Funny

      What if TSR had patented "hit points?" Or, "the idea that one hit doesn't kill the player"?

      They would have licensed it, managed it badly, and the patent would have been hocked to a bank to keep them afloat a bit longer into the 90s. At worst, WotC might not have bought them.

  2. That's easy... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    CAST MAGIC MISSLE!!!

  3. Re:HP by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't think "miss points" would work out that well. You don't want the monsters to chant, "Loser! Loser! Loser!"

  4. Helped shape the gamer too! by Morris+Thorpe · · Score: 5, Funny

    How D&D Shaped the Modern Videogame

    How D&D shaped the modern videogamer: like a pear.

  5. This should have a follow up by crossmr · · Score: 3, Funny

    called how the modern video game raped D&D and abused its children. Early D&D games were great. lately they've been rotten.

  6. destructing rule books by Rizzer · · Score: 3, Funny

    Did your old D&D rule books suddenly self-destruct or something?
    Heh, mine did. That is, my mother burnt them while I was studying away from home. "satanic" or something, apparently...