Now I Believe It- WotC Really Has Become T$R • Collecting General • The Acaeum

The Acaeum Forums • Collecting General

Now I Believe It- WotC Really Has Become T$R
	Page 1 of 4 • 1, 2, 3, 4

Author

sauromatian
Sage Collector

Posts: 2554
Joined: Jul 25, 2007
Last Visit: Jan 06, 2024
Location: Far Harad, Texas

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:03 am

My son just bought the current D&D Basic Game with his birthday money. He already has the previous edition, but is getting into the game more-&-more so I didn't discourage him. He mostly wanted the figures.

Surprise, surprise. There are no cards with the figures, & the stats provided are oversimplified to the point of being worthless in a real minis or RPG game; plus each figure's stats are buried within the text of the exceedingly lame, scripted scenario. He's so disappointed, he didn't even bother to open the plastic pack of figures, not even the Blue Dragon he's talked about wanting for months.

From a practical standpoint, the usefulness of the figures is compromised. WotC has PDFs of the cards on their site -but of only one side, will be less convenient to use, & they won't turn out well on my cheap printer.

From a kids' point of view, it's a little more emotional. News flash, WotC: kids collect cards. They obsess over the coolness of special toys. Now he just might put the game aside like so many other faded interests.

All for what? To satisfy some corporate efficiency expert over 15 cents worth of cardboard (the booster versions of the cards were already in production, so 15 cents is probably an exaggeration), or some marketing consultant who thought they were confusing if included.

Worst of all, in the previous Basic Game the cards were a stepping-stone to the minis game & RPG, so in the long term WotC shoots themselves in the foot. Sixteen cards don't seem like such a big deal in the long run, but their conspicuous absence shows that the publishers have lost their grip.

D&D really has become nothing but a very minor asset to a faceless [or in any event careless] giant consumer products conglomerate. It's an indicator of what we can expect from now on: D&D that's about as solid as the Transformers constructible game.

deimos3428
Long-Winded Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 3066
Joined: Jul 09, 2004
Last Visit: Apr 30, 2015

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 9:11 am

sauromatian wrote:My son just bought the current D&D Basic Game with his birthday money. He already has the previous edition, but is getting into the game more-&-more so I didn't discourage him. He mostly wanted the figures.

Surprise, surprise. There are no cards with the figures, & the stats provided are oversimplified to the point of being worthless in a real minis or RPG game; plus each figure's stats are buried within the text of the exceedingly lame, scripted scenario. He's so disappointed, he didn't even bother to open the plastic pack of figures, not even the Blue Dragon he's talked about wanting for months.

From a practical standpoint, the usefulness of the figures is compromised. WotC has PDFs of the cards on their site -but of only one side, will be less convenient to use, & they won't turn out well on my cheap printer.

From a kids' point of view, it's a little more emotional. News flash, WotC: kids collect cards. They obsess over the coolness of special toys. Now he just might put the game aside like so many other faded interests.

All for what? To satisfy some corporate efficiency expert over 15 cents worth of cardboard (the booster versions of the cards were already in production, so 15 cents is probably an exaggeration), or some marketing consultant who thought they were confusing if included.

Worst of all, in the previous Basic Game the cards were a stepping-stone to the minis game & RPG, so in the long term WotC shoots themselves in the foot. Sixteen cards don't seem like such a big deal in the long run, but their conspicuous absence shows that the publishers have lost their grip.

D&D really has become nothing but a very minor asset to a faceless [or in any event careless] giant consumer products conglomerate. It's an indicator of what we can expect from now on: D&D that's about as solid as the Transformers constructible game.

I don't think many here will disagree with your conclusion regarding WotC. However, the rest of your post mostly flew over my head. I'd take the opportunity presented by WotC's greedy oversight to teach your children about role playing!

Cards full of stats, PDFs and plastic minis are not what this game is about. They're props at best. (I'm told even the modern rules, if you stick to the "core" books, are somewhat salvageable as a game. If not, 1E is available rather cheaply on eBay.)

mordrin
Prolific Collector

Posts: 432
Joined: Jan 30, 2004
Last Visit: Aug 04, 2026
Location: Chicagoish

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 9:15 am

deimos3428 wrote: However, the rest of your post mostly flew over my head.

Yeah, I lost that, too.

There's a Basic game, a Minis game, and the regular RPG now?

copycat
Sage Collector

Posts: 2736
Joined: May 31, 2007
Last Visit: Jul 09, 2026

Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 10:37 am

There's a Basic game, a Minis game, and the regular RPG now?

Sort of, yes, and yes.

The "Basic" game is more like a "primer" to the other two. It has just enough information to let you play, and see how the game works (and has the minis to enforce that you're supposed to be using them, which helps the sales of the minis line which makes more money for WotC/Hasbro than D&D does; the "Basic game" does not have a lot of rules in it, and only covers 1st level anyway as I recall). Essentially, once you've played the Basic version, you're expected to rush out and buy the PHB, DMG, and MM (and all its various iterations) and a slew of minis because you "want to experience D&D for real."

So, its not truly a game of its own, and is not anything like the previous TSR "basic games." This one is pure greed.

Those who can, don't. Those who should not, do.

sauromatian
Sage Collector

Posts: 2554
Joined: Jul 25, 2007
Last Visit: Jan 06, 2024
Location: Far Harad, Texas

Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:37 pm

deimos3428 wrote:However, the rest of your post mostly flew over my head.

I suppose the ultimate conclusion I was trying to explain is that the current D&D Basic Game is an insuffficient springboard to the greater family of D&D products.

There is a difference between games like Clue or Monopoly, which have supplements but are typically bought only once. The new D&D boxed set doesn't seem geared towards expanding the game, it seems more like just another boxed board game.

The demise of Dragon & Dungeon magazines seems like a move in the same direction, taking the game away from a continuous & communal activity to a moribund one, something which is more accesibly packaged for mass retailers but less of a real hobby.

chalk_outline
** Banned **

Posts: 26
Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Last Visit: Nov 11, 2007

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:28 pm

The artwork in current WOTC books, ecch. They're trying way too hard to relate to the kiddies out there...........

Xaxaxe
Sage Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 2884
Joined: Nov 04, 2004
Last Visit: May 09, 2020

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:19 pm

Is there any particular reason why almost every one of your posts here has bumped a thread that was at least two months old?

I mean, hey, post where you want to ... but it does seem like a weird pattern. And the suspicious part of me is already wondering what your agenda might be and/or what thread you're trying to knock off the front page.

bombadil
Long-Winded Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 3807
Joined: Feb 23, 2005
Last Visit: Feb 12, 2025

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:46 pm

Prob'ly the coug thread.

Let mirth prevail!

bclarkie
Grandstanding Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 6600
Joined: Dec 13, 2004
Last Visit: Aug 05, 2026

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:52 pm

bombadil wrote:Prob'ly the coug thread.

No, its the thread I just bumped. Think about it, before I bumped it, it was first thread on page two. In other words they stopped posting the as soon as it was on page 2.

Secondly and more obviously: chalk_outline, hang_the_hobbits!!!, sir_lance_u_alot_sale, account_of_mass_destruction, Mordor_muppet, to_the_victor_go_the_spoils, amazon_gwen, etc., etc.

Starting to see a trend here?

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." -Neitzche

Xaxaxe
Sage Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 2884
Joined: Nov 04, 2004
Last Visit: May 09, 2020

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 2:15 pm

Very interesting ... good eye, as usual, BC.

Honestly, I had suspicions about that account from its first day: five posts on five old threads, not one of which actually said anything. They were just words that were strung together, most of which had nothing to do with D&D or any other form of gaming. Like Bombie, though, my initial suspicion was that we were dealing with another CougStooge.

smarmy1
Prolific Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 916
Joined: Apr 16, 2007
Last Visit: Aug 05, 2026
Location: Mobile, Alabama

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 2:59 pm

Gentlemen, I agree with you. Chalk_outline seems to be a candidate for troll-hood. His comments on the 'Good news and bad news' thread were completely tactless and his posts on the other dormant threads contain very little substance. Now if he/she is a legitimate user, then perhaps a post on the "Introduce Yourself, Fellow Collectors" would be in order and some form of apology to Mike on the 'Good news... ' thread for the insensitive comment would go a long way. Otherwise, any future posts by chalk_outline should be considered suspect and ignored.

Normally, I just ignore possible trolls, but his thoughtless comments, pushed me over the edge. Thanks again, Bclarkie .... I was hoping you would come out of retirement now and again for the good fight. By the way, many of us are very appreciative for the thankless work you do.

Hello Mrs. Cleaver, Theodore.

Gee, Mrs. Cleaver ... That certainly is a lovely dress.

IttyBitty
Prolific Collector

Posts: 414
Joined: Mar 26, 2006
Last Visit: Nov 30, 2007
Location: Chicago

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 6:30 pm

smarmy1 wrote:Thanks again, Bclarkie .... I was hoping you would come out of retirement now and again for the good fight. By the way, many of us are very appreciative for the thankless work you do.

Hear...Hear... PDT_Armataz_01_37

A Wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.

chalk_outline
** Banned **

Posts: 26
Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Last Visit: Nov 11, 2007

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 7:39 pm

Hey bclarkie dickhole, I'm just checking out the posts, don't drag me into your holy war!

chalk_outline
** Banned **

Posts: 26
Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Last Visit: Nov 11, 2007

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 7:42 pm

I WISHED THE GUY GOOD LUCK FOR CHRISTSAKES BASSHOLE

bclarkie
Grandstanding Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 6600
Joined: Dec 13, 2004
Last Visit: Aug 05, 2026

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 7:45 pm

chalk_outline wrote:Hey bclarkie dickhole, I'm just checking out the posts, don't drag me into your holy war!

Um...Yeah. :lol:

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." -Neitzche

Xaxaxe
Sage Collector
Acaeum Donor

Posts: 2884
Joined: Nov 04, 2004
Last Visit: May 09, 2020

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 7:48 pm

What in the world is a "basshole"? That must be troll-speak for something ...

chalk_outline
** Banned **

Posts: 26
Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Last Visit: Nov 11, 2007

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 7:51 pm

Don't badmouth me behind my back, online chump.

I read about this site, and thought it'd be fun to hang out, and chat.

Thanks for including me in your witch hunt, psycho.

chalk_outline
** Banned **

Posts: 26
Joined: Nov 10, 2007
Last Visit: Nov 11, 2007

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 7:52 pm

You guys are assholes, and travel in packs.

The Acaeum Forums • Collecting General

Page 1 of 4 • 1, 2, 3, 4