Why D&D Is Better Than World of Warcraft

[Najo]

Convenience trumps all other concerns. Solve that issue, and you save the hobby for another generation.

This is the whole point of my barriers to entry boiled down. I agree 100%.

 

[HeinorNY]

And it isn't better to read a book than it is to watch TV.

Using Dausuul's logic: Um... yes it is.

D&D is a productive exercise of imagination.
You don't need imagination to play WoW. It's not a requirement. You need reflexes, tactics, time and money, but not imagination.
You can teach a monkey how to play WoW, but not D&D.

 

[Charwoman Gene]

And it isn't better to read a book than it is to watch TV.

Yes, it is. It develops visualization, burns more calories and delivers information more completely. You also have better information choices.

 

[helium3]

Personally, I think the OP raises an interesting question with regard to 3E/4E emphasis on miniatures, battle mat, tactical combat, et al. Back in the 2E days, we never used minis or a grid. With 3E, we've used these tools since day one, and if we move to 4E we will undoubtedly continue to do so. But I've noticed a change in my own play experience: back in the 2E days, before we used minis or a mat, I used to visualize the action much more strongly. Now, my attention is mostly on the combat grid, and although I still 'see' the action to a certain extent, it's not as vivid as it once was, when there was no 'game board' to look at.

It's not just that combat is less vivid. There's definite loss of strategic thinking as well, which in the end can make battle incredibly rote after a while.

"A room with a monster in it? We all dog-pile in and attack!!"

 

[helium3]

1) Creating new DMs

2) Veteran players helping or inviting new and young players to learn the game

3) New players starting groups or finding groups to join

4) Teaching/ Learning D&D without a group

5) Playing D&D with time and distance constraints of life and growing older

6) easy to learn basic rules and character creation with depth of play and choice as level progresses.

7) Visuals and writing that compete with video games and movies.

There is likely more, but these are the main ones off the top of my head. Just like WOW has D&D players who play it, there are WOW players who would enjoy playing D&D if they could easily access it. But you have to solve these issues first.

Absolutely. This is why the D.I. will be awesome if WotC can pull it off.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I think rules-lite games that encourage roleplaying and creativity don't sell.

You can encourage roleplaying and creativity without being rules-lite.

 

[Raloc]

Absolutely. This is why the D.I. will be awesome if WotC can pull it off.

Speaking of DI does anyone know whether they've said any more about what sort of sales model the v-minis will use? If they're going to be distributed in boosters, and disallow you from using "copies" (in app) of minis without actually owning 5 duplicates that you bought, I think it will fall flat. I know I wouldn't pay for anything that's basically controlled by a variable in the app which determines how many copies you can have active at once.... Seems like a (potential) death knell to the whole thing.

 

[WhimsyTheFae]

To me, D&D (and tabletop rpgs in general) isn't better or worse than WoW (and mmos in general). They both do what I need them to do better than the other.

A couple examples:

D&D - I run the games (this is big for me, because I don't really like playing), the settings are more dynamic, the actions/interactions are more dynamic, etc. Those are the biggest things and most other advantages spring up due to those things.

WoW - I don't need to invite you into my house ('you' in the generic sense), I don't have to go to anyone's house, I don't have to juggle schedules (granted, I mostly solo in MMOs), the game environment is already set for me, etc. Those are the biggest things and most other advantages spring up due to those things.

Obviously, there are things about both that are bad, too. I just know for a fact that D&D can in no way possible do the things I like most about MMOs, just as MMOs can in no way possible do the things I like most about D&D. It's just the way it is.

 

[Raloc]

To me, D&D (and tabletop rpgs in general) isn't better or worse than WoW (and mmos in general). They both do what I need them to do better than the other.

A couple examples:

D&D - I run the games (this is big for me, because I don't really like playing), the settings are more dynamic, the actions/interactions are more dynamic, etc. Those are the biggest things and most other advantages spring up due to those things.

WoW - I don't need to invite you into my house ('you' in the generic sense), I don't have to go to anyone's house, I don't have to juggle schedules (granted, I mostly solo in MMOs), the game environment is already set for me, etc. Those are the biggest things and most other advantages spring up due to those things.

Obviously, there are things about both that are bad, too. I just know for a fact that D&D can in no way possible do the things I like most about MMOs, just as MMOs can in no way possible do the things I like most about D&D. It's just the way it is.

Just out of curiousity what things can D&D not do that WoW can? Cookie cutter quests? Dull combat? Ohhhh I got it, complete and utter lack of roleplaying.

 

[Najo]

To me, D&D (and tabletop rpgs in general) isn't better or worse than WoW (and mmos in general). They both do what I need them to do better than the other.

Problem is, for most of the non-story driven groups with poor or mediocre DMs, WOW is a suitable replacement for D&D if the social aspect of D&D doesn't matter to you. Once that becomes true for them, the convience of getting a fantasy fix by hoping online and logging in out weighs the pains of mettings with friends to play D&D.

The other key element, the next generation is not coming to the game easily. Also, that generation is heavily playing WOW and they are very internet adapted in their communcation through myspace, IMs, forums, text messaging and email. There is a lack of patience too, and often a quick movie with awesome special effects or a mmo or FPS gives the rush that D&D adventure and combat offers.

D&D doesn't easily or quickly offer the rewards of you are the heroes and you are changing the world to the new player. D&D needs a way to deliver the hooks of story driven gaming and make them want to come back more each session. It also needs a way to create good DMs quickly and in a vacuum. Essentially, teach the potential creative people how to use the tool box and be a part director, story teller, god, referee and host. Right now, art programs like adobe suite, level editors for FPS and strategy games and amature film/ animation like flash and video editing software are redirecting the same creative energies that take world building in D&D.

I think for the DI, WOTC should look at the level editor for neverwinter nights and consider allowing members access to a full set of tools that allow DMs to build worlds easily, and keep their notes and stats organzied too.