What about playing a video game? [Archive] - Wizards Community

What about playing a video game? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Pizzini3000
04-10-07, 02:05 PM Probably not what you think... =P

What if the D&D setting was that the characters were characters in a video game or MMO, with the players playing them. It would function as a regular D&D game, but some encounters could be bugged mobs. Things would be very predictable. Death would be a minor set back. Players could have multiple characters (Alts). They could use "Ventrillo" of sorts to metagame. You could implement odd rules like no jumping (Final Fantaxy XI).
Cherubaddon
04-10-07, 10:45 PM One word: it starts on "b" and ends on "oring". Let me explain:
The coolest thing about D&D is freedom. Thinking outside the box. And no video game, no matter how complex, has provided that so far. No jumping makes sense in some video games, but is totally ridiculous in D&D. Death as a minor setback? Several characters? That will only destroy the verisimilitude of the game. Because, to tell you the truth, most people I know (including me) would rather play FF XII. than a cheap pen-and-paper copy of it. But if the alternative is a deep, complex, multi-layered world/plot that encourages creativity, teamwork and realistic thinking? Hardly a choice for me.
Cherubaddon
Pizzini3000
04-12-07, 03:16 PM *I wanted to get some more replies, but it doesn't look that is gonna happen.*

I can't help but feel slightly insulted, intended or not. A major point is for the game to be a satire on the genre as a whole. I'm sorry if you didn't infer that.

"Thinking outside the box."
I think I just did. It's something would never think of, isn't it? how much more outside the box can I get?

"...but is totally ridiculous in D&D."
This is one of those things that is the satire bit. something as simple as a table becomes a real obstacle.

"That will only destroy the verisimilitude of the game."
That's the point for cryin' out loud!

"But if the alternative is a deep, complex, multi-layered world/plot that encourages creativity, teamwork and realistic thinking? Hardly a choice for me."
That's an insult to my entire idea, implying that my idea has none of that. Deep, Complex, multi-layered? How about FUN!? Of course you need teamwork and creativity. I don't know how you mean thinking could be unrealistic. Just because the rules are different, doesn't mean methodology of thought would be any different.
Lyinginbedmon
04-12-07, 03:35 PM I can see Cherubaddon's point here, and I certainly understand his issues. Once you turn D&D into a video game, even a satire, it loses some of its edge over a continually rising market.

In D&D, you can go out, fight some hobgoblins, steal their stuff, move into their home, and then sell off their stuff for more cash. OR you can talk to some NPCs, learn some info, go get a job, and defend the city when the growing hobgoblin forces decide to expand their realty. OR you can do just about anything else you can imagine, it's completely freeform.

In a video game, you have much less freedom, you get a predefined list of possible actions and you are allowed little deviance.

Sure, between D&D and video games, taking a certain course of action still has a virtually predefined sequence of consequences, but in video games the player has to go through them, whilst in D&D the player can choose to do anything besides, choice is limitless.

However, as a satire, it might be possible, especially if the characters break the fourth wall to relieve some of the otherwise stressful issues between the two genres.

I'd recommend having a lot of fourth wall jokes and mentionings in the game, such as NPCs randomly noting that they fell compelled to stand around in the marketplace waiting for some random person to walk up to them and chat to the point that they must reveal some strange bit of information, perhaps the same NPC feels somewhat depressed that this is apparently their destiny in life.
The PCs could also point out that, regardless of the fact that they can stand on their tiptoes to reach high objects, the same functions prohibit them from jumping, as noted above.
Prime32
04-12-07, 03:59 PM http://www.nuklearpower.com/
Read it.

There are also a few manga set in game worlds, such as .hack and id_ENITITY, which might give you ideas.
Cherubaddon
04-12-07, 10:52 PM Pizzini3000,
I apologize. I did by no means intend to insult you or ridicule your idea, and if that's how it came across, I am sorry, I just know of no better way to put it.

Now, it seems I misunderstood your idea. If it is a satire, my entire point is invalid. That said, however, I know that neither me nor my friends would enjoy such a game, even if meant as a joke. This does not, however, say anything about your players, and if you think you and your players will enjoy this, sure, no-one should be able to talk you out of it.

I don't know how you mean thinking could be unrealistic. Just because the rules are different, doesn't mean methodology of thought would be any different.

I am sorry, but it would. Have you ever heard of the term "Video-game logic"? It includes (but is not limited to) metagaming and putting yourself into the mindset of the designer(s) of the game to solve problems. In a world where everything is possible, you are encouraged to think in-character, to apply creativity, exactly the kind of thing that is discouraged in most video games. Many video games have only one solution to every single problem. Example:

Video game:
There's a locked door.
Mage: Not again!
Fighter: I feel useless...
Rogue: That's another key we need to find...

Free-form RPG:
There's a locked door.
Mage: Okay, so I could disintegrate it, teleport us all across, or just use a battering ram spell on it...
Fighter: Shut up, I'm going in!
Rogue: Hey, guys! Stop it! I can just pick the lock, we don't use up your precious spells, and don't attract enemies!

What are you gonna say, that the door is antimagic, has hardness 200, an unpickable lock, and the entire dungeon is affected by an dimensional anchor?

I hope I made my point without being offensive. Again, if I came across high-handed, I am sorry. I just wanted to point out to you the parts of your idea I perceive as flaws.
Cherubaddon
Thomar_of_Uointer
04-13-07, 01:07 AM http://qntm.org/responsibility

I've planned an entire campaign setting around this concept. Well, more of a mythos. The computer/eldritch device that runs the next universe was built into a construct body. Because anything He wills is done by the guy in line behind him, He is effectively God, but He's content to spend most His time in a crumbling ruin conversing from time to time with His smaller construct counterpart (I'd call it "Hermes", but it's most definitely female). Scrying and teleportation spells take advantage of the next universe in line.

Of course, the fun starts when a self-replicating quantum aberration that corrupts "data" leaks into just one universe.

I think one of the Phantasy Star games covered this topic.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Pizzini3000 04-10-07, 02:05 PM	Probably not what you think... =P What if the D&D setting was that the characters were characters in a video game or MMO, with the players playing them. It would function as a regular D&D game, but some encounters could be bugged mobs. Things would be very predictable. Death would be a minor set back. Players could have multiple characters (Alts). They could use "Ventrillo" of sorts to metagame. You could implement odd rules like no jumping (Final Fantaxy XI).
Cherubaddon 04-10-07, 10:45 PM	One word: it starts on "b" and ends on "oring". Let me explain: The coolest thing about D&D is freedom. Thinking outside the box. And no video game, no matter how complex, has provided that so far. No jumping makes sense in some video games, but is totally ridiculous in D&D. Death as a minor setback? Several characters? That will only destroy the verisimilitude of the game. Because, to tell you the truth, most people I know (including me) would rather play FF XII. than a cheap pen-and-paper copy of it. But if the alternative is a deep, complex, multi-layered world/plot that encourages creativity, teamwork and realistic thinking? Hardly a choice for me. Cherubaddon
Pizzini3000 04-12-07, 03:16 PM	I wanted to get some more replies, but it doesn't look that is gonna happen. I can't help but feel slightly insulted, intended or not. A major point is for the game to be a satire on the genre as a whole. I'm sorry if you didn't infer that. "Thinking outside the box." I think I just did. It's something would never think of, isn't it? how much more outside the box can I get? "...but is totally ridiculous in D&D." This is one of those things that is the satire bit. something as simple as a table becomes a real obstacle. "That will only destroy the verisimilitude of the game." That's the point for cryin' out loud! "But if the alternative is a deep, complex, multi-layered world/plot that encourages creativity, teamwork and realistic thinking? Hardly a choice for me." That's an insult to my entire idea, implying that my idea has none of that. Deep, Complex, multi-layered? How about FUN!? Of course you need teamwork and creativity. I don't know how you mean thinking could be unrealistic. Just because the rules are different, doesn't mean methodology of thought would be any different.
Lyinginbedmon 04-12-07, 03:35 PM	I can see Cherubaddon's point here, and I certainly understand his issues. Once you turn D&D into a video game, even a satire, it loses some of its edge over a continually rising market. In D&D, you can go out, fight some hobgoblins, steal their stuff, move into their home, and then sell off their stuff for more cash. OR you can talk to some NPCs, learn some info, go get a job, and defend the city when the growing hobgoblin forces decide to expand their realty. OR you can do just about anything else you can imagine, it's completely freeform. In a video game, you have much less freedom, you get a predefined list of possible actions and you are allowed little deviance. Sure, between D&D and video games, taking a certain course of action still has a virtually predefined sequence of consequences, but in video games the player has to go through them, whilst in D&D the player can choose to do anything besides, choice is limitless. However, as a satire, it might be possible, especially if the characters break the fourth wall to relieve some of the otherwise stressful issues between the two genres. I'd recommend having a lot of fourth wall jokes and mentionings in the game, such as NPCs randomly noting that they fell compelled to stand around in the marketplace waiting for some random person to walk up to them and chat to the point that they must reveal some strange bit of information, perhaps the same NPC feels somewhat depressed that this is apparently their destiny in life. The PCs could also point out that, regardless of the fact that they can stand on their tiptoes to reach high objects, the same functions prohibit them from jumping, as noted above.
Prime32 04-12-07, 03:59 PM	http://www.nuklearpower.com/ Read it. There are also a few manga set in game worlds, such as .hack and id_ENITITY, which might give you ideas.
Cherubaddon 04-12-07, 10:52 PM	Pizzini3000, I apologize. I did by no means intend to insult you or ridicule your idea, and if that's how it came across, I am sorry, I just know of no better way to put it. Now, it seems I misunderstood your idea. If it is a satire, my entire point is invalid. That said, however, I know that neither me nor my friends would enjoy such a game, even if meant as a joke. This does not, however, say anything about your players, and if you think you and your players will enjoy this, sure, no-one should be able to talk you out of it. I don't know how you mean thinking could be unrealistic. Just because the rules are different, doesn't mean methodology of thought would be any different. I am sorry, but it would. Have you ever heard of the term "Video-game logic"? It includes (but is not limited to) metagaming and putting yourself into the mindset of the designer(s) of the game to solve problems. In a world where everything is possible, you are encouraged to think in-character, to apply creativity, exactly the kind of thing that is discouraged in most video games. Many video games have only one solution to every single problem. Example: Video game: There's a locked door. Mage: Not again! Fighter: I feel useless... Rogue: That's another key we need to find... Free-form RPG: There's a locked door. Mage: Okay, so I could disintegrate it, teleport us all across, or just use a battering ram spell on it... Fighter: Shut up, I'm going in! Rogue: Hey, guys! Stop it! I can just pick the lock, we don't use up your precious spells, and don't attract enemies! What are you gonna say, that the door is antimagic, has hardness 200, an unpickable lock, and the entire dungeon is affected by an dimensional anchor? I hope I made my point without being offensive. Again, if I came across high-handed, I am sorry. I just wanted to point out to you the parts of your idea I perceive as flaws. Cherubaddon
Thomar_of_Uointer 04-13-07, 01:07 AM	http://qntm.org/responsibility I've planned an entire campaign setting around this concept. Well, more of a mythos. The computer/eldritch device that runs the next universe was built into a construct body. Because anything He wills is done by the guy in line behind him, He is effectively God, but He's content to spend most His time in a crumbling ruin conversing from time to time with His smaller construct counterpart (I'd call it "Hermes", but it's most definitely female). Scrying and teleportation spells take advantage of the next universe in line. Of course, the fun starts when a self-replicating quantum aberration that corrupts "data" leaks into just one universe. I think one of the Phantasy Star games covered this topic.