About Wotc´s articles [Archive] - Wizards Community

About Wotc´s articles [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Lecen_of_Mitran
02-13-07, 08:13 AM Is weird, but I´ve noticed that some of Wotc´s articles on the D&D site aren´t that good.

I mean, I´ve seen a few obvious mistakes on a few articles (Save my Game comes in my mind) and "Sage Advice" and others for example.

The new mistake was made by Skip Williams himself (I believe he doesn´t know that there is a 3.5 Edition), take a look at Character Class article "Martial Races":

(...) dwarf has one drawback on the battlefield -- lack of mobility. Even an unarmored dwarf has a speed of only 20, and wearing medium or heavy armor slows him down even more. (...)

Most of you may think this is a sily mistake that we don´t need to take it seriously (And I would I agree if they were few), but what do we do when the makers of the game don´t know the rules?
Kresalak
02-13-07, 08:15 AM This is nothing. He's done much worse. Of course, the whole Character Class line is crap anyway.
CharlieRock
02-13-07, 08:30 AM but what do we do when the makers of the game don´t know the rules?
write in and tell them. (just a guess :D )
Seeker95
02-13-07, 09:43 AM The seeming mistake you have listed is not a direct mistake. Although the dwarf is not hampered by the auto-encumbrance rules of medium or heavy armor, they still have weight that contributes to movement. And his point about mobility still stands.

That said, yes, there are plenty of rules mistakes and quasi-errors on the website content. Why? It costs money to produce, uses development resources on unpaid projects, and eventually fades off the front page. Website visitors that use the content are a very small percentage of the customer base. The cost per edit (preventative or corrective) remains the same for free website material as for sellable published content, while the viewership is small by comparison. Essentially, the website is the lowest production priority of the company -- as it should be.
Leress
02-13-07, 02:55 PM The seeming mistake you have listed is not a direct mistake. Although the dwarf is not hampered by the auto-encumbrance rules of medium or heavy armor, they still have weight that contributes to movement. And his point about mobility still stands.

No it doesn't stand...

Dwarf base land speed is 20 feet. However, dwarves can move at this speed even when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load (unlike other creatures, whose speed is reduced in such situations).

That said, yes, there are plenty of rules mistakes and quasi-errors on the website content. Why? It costs money to produce, uses development resources on unpaid projects, and eventually fades off the front page. Website visitors that use the content are a very small percentage of the customer base. The cost per edit (preventative or corrective) remains the same for free website material as for sellable published content, while the viewership is small by comparison. Essentially, the website is the lowest production priority of the company -- as it should be.
That doesn't excuse this though, I could understand if this article was written by some freelancer, but this is written by Skip. I would at least expect the basics.
Seeker95
02-13-07, 03:23 PM No it doesn't stand...His point about mobility still stands. The dwarf base speed is 20, not 30. Dwarves move as slowly as small creatures.

However, with your objected noted (on the Boards, anyway), what are you going to do about it? How does this error impact your game? Your life? What comes next? How will your behavior change?
Leress
02-13-07, 03:52 PM His point about mobility still stands. The dwarf base speed is 20, not 30. Dwarves move as slowly as small creatures.
Okay fair enough, he gave a misinformed statement to it back up

However, with your objected noted (on the Boards, anyway), what are you going to do about it? How does this error impact your game? Your life? What comes next? How will your behavior change?
I will go about my business, and not use the article.
Totentanz
02-13-07, 03:55 PM Personally, I will consider buying 3rd party material over WotC. :D
Artector
02-13-07, 03:59 PM This is nothing. He's done much worse. Of course, the whole Character Class line is crap anyway.

I'm glad someone else agrees with me.
Leress
02-13-07, 04:14 PM I'm glad someone else agrees with me.
You are not the only one.
Zherog
02-13-07, 04:27 PM That doesn't excuse this though, I could understand if this article was written by some freelancer, but this is written by Skip. I would at least expect the basics.

As a freelancer, I take exception to that comment. :P :P :P
Leress
02-13-07, 04:36 PM As a freelancer, I take exception to that comment. :P :P :P
That's true
Solik
02-13-07, 04:40 PM Eh, it's not a big deal. I make computer games and constantly forget how they work. I don't memorize what affects what. I just don't have that kind of encyclopediac memory. This is one of those things that can be easy to forget if you haven't had armored dwarves in your game for awhile (or haven't actually gamed in awhile).
Count Nerindil Van Seraph
02-13-07, 04:54 PM This is nothing. He's done much worse. Of course, the whole Character Class line is crap anyway.

Care to expound on that?

(Not trying to be argumentative, I seriously want to know why you don't like it. Stupid text. Everyone always sounds like they are trying to start something.)
SneakyPetey
02-13-07, 05:02 PM Eh, it's not a big deal. I make computer games and constantly forget how they work. I don't memorize what affects what. I just don't have that kind of encyclopediac memory. This is one of those things that can be easy to forget if you haven't had armored dwarves in your game for awhile (or haven't actually gamed in awhile).

Good point, Solik.

The web articles are probably WAY DOWN on the ol' list of priorities too... But still something the boss gets down on you for not getting done. So they get done as quickly as possible to keep the boss (and the masses) happy.

I highly doubt the web articles are subjected to the same copy/content editing procedures that WotC's hard copy products are. There is no money in it, therefore management will not see editing them as a pressing need. If someone complained to WotC about it, they would probably hear a lot of whining about "lack of resources." You know, the same stuff that we all hear (and say) at work all the time... ;)
Zherog
02-13-07, 05:06 PM No, it's not a good point at all. If Skip were asked a question by a friend of his, and he gave an answer off the top of his head, Solik would have a point.

But that's not the case here. Skip had time to research his subject matter. He had time to go look up the rules.

If someone asked Solik about one of the games he wrote, it would be understandable if he got details wrong; if he were asked to write an article, though, I would hope Solik would do some research to get the details right.

Also, let's not forget that (presumably) and editor looked over this as well. That means one of two things:

1) The editor changed Skip's text to insert the wrong stuff
2) The editor missed the mistake

Either is possible.
Solik
02-13-07, 05:48 PM I agree that the editing process was a little skimp. I'm sure it's due to the cost restrictions placed on production of these articles.
FoxmanFX
02-13-07, 05:56 PM Yo - Skip is right the dwarf is futher slowed down by heavy armour. Cant run as fast which hampers his movement even more. Also the weight of the equipment (including the weight of that armour) at medium/heavy encumberance DOES affect the dwarf - even if he is wearing medium armour.

sheesh...
Zherog
02-13-07, 06:01 PM Yo, Skip is not right.

Dwarf base land speed is 20 feet. However, dwarves can move at this speed even when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load (unlike other creatures, whose speed is reduced in such situations).

Sheesh.
Artector
02-13-07, 06:03 PM Yo - Skip is right the dwarf is futher slowed down by heavy armour. Cant run as fast which hampers his movement even more. Also the weight of the equipment (including the weight of that armour) at medium/heavy encumberance DOES affect the dwarf - even if he is wearing medium armour.

sheesh...

I agree with you that he is slower in heavy armor, he can't run at x4 speed. But otherwise it directly contradicts core rules. Medium/Heavy Loads don't change Dwarf base land speed.

Unless you were being sarcastic, in which case, ignore this.
Bill Bisco: Average Adventurer
02-13-07, 06:49 PM :rofl: The article just got edited to correct Skip's mistake.
Leress
02-13-07, 06:58 PM :rofl: The article just got edited to correct Skip's mistake.

Let's see if we can find some more...

All I can really see is just bad advice now.
Richmud
02-13-07, 07:18 PM :rofl: The article just got edited to correct Skip's mistake.

Not surprising as half the board is commenting on it
Artector
02-13-07, 07:36 PM They did the same thing with Cyran Skates a month or so ago. (I can't remember)
Leress
02-13-07, 08:26 PM They did the same thing with Cyran Skates a month or so ago. (I can't remember)
They did it to the "Dead levels" article a while back.
SneakyPetey
02-13-07, 08:42 PM Why pay for copy editors when the users will do it for you?

:D
SneakyPetey
02-13-07, 08:51 PM I should just let this go... It's not a big deal. But I'm feeling squirrely today!

No, it's not a good point at all. If Skip were asked a question by a friend of his, and he gave an answer off the top of his head, Solik would have a point..

My point, if you re-read my post, is that the web-material is probably WAY DOWN on the priorities list, so he probably wrote the article hurriedly and off the top of his head and got it wrong.

Also, let's not forget that (presumably) and editor looked over this as well. That means one of two things:

1) The editor changed Skip's text to insert the wrong stuff
2) The editor missed the mistake

Either is possible.

I think you presume too much if you think that an editor looks at EVERY ARTICLE that gets posted. I can see time and money preventing web-material from getting a thorough looking-over. Especially to the degree that the printed material is checked. Which was also a point of my original post...

It's all good, being a freelance writer in all, you probably know more about this stuff than *I* do... :P

Take it easy. :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lecen_of_Mitran 02-13-07, 08:13 AM	Is weird, but I´ve noticed that some of Wotc´s articles on the D&D site aren´t that good. I mean, I´ve seen a few obvious mistakes on a few articles (Save my Game comes in my mind) and "Sage Advice" and others for example. The new mistake was made by Skip Williams himself (I believe he doesn´t know that there is a 3.5 Edition), take a look at Character Class article "Martial Races": (...) dwarf has one drawback on the battlefield -- lack of mobility. Even an unarmored dwarf has a speed of only 20, and wearing medium or heavy armor slows him down even more. (...) Most of you may think this is a sily mistake that we don´t need to take it seriously (And I would I agree if they were few), but what do we do when the makers of the game don´t know the rules?
Kresalak 02-13-07, 08:15 AM	This is nothing. He's done much worse. Of course, the whole Character Class line is crap anyway.
CharlieRock 02-13-07, 08:30 AM	but what do we do when the makers of the game don´t know the rules? write in and tell them. (just a guess :D )
Seeker95 02-13-07, 09:43 AM	The seeming mistake you have listed is not a direct mistake. Although the dwarf is not hampered by the auto-encumbrance rules of medium or heavy armor, they still have weight that contributes to movement. And his point about mobility still stands. That said, yes, there are plenty of rules mistakes and quasi-errors on the website content. Why? It costs money to produce, uses development resources on unpaid projects, and eventually fades off the front page. Website visitors that use the content are a very small percentage of the customer base. The cost per edit (preventative or corrective) remains the same for free website material as for sellable published content, while the viewership is small by comparison. Essentially, the website is the lowest production priority of the company -- as it should be.
Leress 02-13-07, 02:55 PM	The seeming mistake you have listed is not a direct mistake. Although the dwarf is not hampered by the auto-encumbrance rules of medium or heavy armor, they still have weight that contributes to movement. And his point about mobility still stands. No it doesn't stand... Dwarf base land speed is 20 feet. However, dwarves can move at this speed even when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load (unlike other creatures, whose speed is reduced in such situations). That said, yes, there are plenty of rules mistakes and quasi-errors on the website content. Why? It costs money to produce, uses development resources on unpaid projects, and eventually fades off the front page. Website visitors that use the content are a very small percentage of the customer base. The cost per edit (preventative or corrective) remains the same for free website material as for sellable published content, while the viewership is small by comparison. Essentially, the website is the lowest production priority of the company -- as it should be. That doesn't excuse this though, I could understand if this article was written by some freelancer, but this is written by Skip. I would at least expect the basics.
Seeker95 02-13-07, 03:23 PM	No it doesn't stand...His point about mobility still stands. The dwarf base speed is 20, not 30. Dwarves move as slowly as small creatures. However, with your objected noted (on the Boards, anyway), what are you going to do about it? How does this error impact your game? Your life? What comes next? How will your behavior change?
Leress 02-13-07, 03:52 PM	His point about mobility still stands. The dwarf base speed is 20, not 30. Dwarves move as slowly as small creatures. Okay fair enough, he gave a misinformed statement to it back up However, with your objected noted (on the Boards, anyway), what are you going to do about it? How does this error impact your game? Your life? What comes next? How will your behavior change? I will go about my business, and not use the article.
Totentanz 02-13-07, 03:55 PM	Personally, I will consider buying 3rd party material over WotC. :D
Artector 02-13-07, 03:59 PM	This is nothing. He's done much worse. Of course, the whole Character Class line is crap anyway. I'm glad someone else agrees with me.
Leress 02-13-07, 04:14 PM	I'm glad someone else agrees with me. You are not the only one.
Zherog 02-13-07, 04:27 PM	That doesn't excuse this though, I could understand if this article was written by some freelancer, but this is written by Skip. I would at least expect the basics. As a freelancer, I take exception to that comment. :P :P :P
Leress 02-13-07, 04:36 PM	As a freelancer, I take exception to that comment. :P :P :P That's true
Solik 02-13-07, 04:40 PM	Eh, it's not a big deal. I make computer games and constantly forget how they work. I don't memorize what affects what. I just don't have that kind of encyclopediac memory. This is one of those things that can be easy to forget if you haven't had armored dwarves in your game for awhile (or haven't actually gamed in awhile).
Count Nerindil Van Seraph 02-13-07, 04:54 PM	This is nothing. He's done much worse. Of course, the whole Character Class line is crap anyway. Care to expound on that? (Not trying to be argumentative, I seriously want to know why you don't like it. Stupid text. Everyone always sounds like they are trying to start something.)
SneakyPetey 02-13-07, 05:02 PM	Eh, it's not a big deal. I make computer games and constantly forget how they work. I don't memorize what affects what. I just don't have that kind of encyclopediac memory. This is one of those things that can be easy to forget if you haven't had armored dwarves in your game for awhile (or haven't actually gamed in awhile). Good point, Solik. The web articles are probably WAY DOWN on the ol' list of priorities too... But still something the boss gets down on you for not getting done. So they get done as quickly as possible to keep the boss (and the masses) happy. I highly doubt the web articles are subjected to the same copy/content editing procedures that WotC's hard copy products are. There is no money in it, therefore management will not see editing them as a pressing need. If someone complained to WotC about it, they would probably hear a lot of whining about "lack of resources." You know, the same stuff that we all hear (and say) at work all the time... ;)
Zherog 02-13-07, 05:06 PM	No, it's not a good point at all. If Skip were asked a question by a friend of his, and he gave an answer off the top of his head, Solik would have a point. But that's not the case here. Skip had time to research his subject matter. He had time to go look up the rules. If someone asked Solik about one of the games he wrote, it would be understandable if he got details wrong; if he were asked to write an article, though, I would hope Solik would do some research to get the details right. Also, let's not forget that (presumably) and editor looked over this as well. That means one of two things: 1) The editor changed Skip's text to insert the wrong stuff 2) The editor missed the mistake Either is possible.
Solik 02-13-07, 05:48 PM	I agree that the editing process was a little skimp. I'm sure it's due to the cost restrictions placed on production of these articles.
FoxmanFX 02-13-07, 05:56 PM	Yo - Skip is right the dwarf is futher slowed down by heavy armour. Cant run as fast which hampers his movement even more. Also the weight of the equipment (including the weight of that armour) at medium/heavy encumberance DOES affect the dwarf - even if he is wearing medium armour. sheesh...
Zherog 02-13-07, 06:01 PM	Yo, Skip is not right. Dwarf base land speed is 20 feet. However, dwarves can move at this speed even when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load (unlike other creatures, whose speed is reduced in such situations). Sheesh.
Artector 02-13-07, 06:03 PM	Yo - Skip is right the dwarf is futher slowed down by heavy armour. Cant run as fast which hampers his movement even more. Also the weight of the equipment (including the weight of that armour) at medium/heavy encumberance DOES affect the dwarf - even if he is wearing medium armour. sheesh... I agree with you that he is slower in heavy armor, he can't run at x4 speed. But otherwise it directly contradicts core rules. Medium/Heavy Loads don't change Dwarf base land speed. Unless you were being sarcastic, in which case, ignore this.
Bill Bisco: Average Adventurer 02-13-07, 06:49 PM	:rofl: The article just got edited to correct Skip's mistake.
Leress 02-13-07, 06:58 PM	:rofl: The article just got edited to correct Skip's mistake. Let's see if we can find some more... All I can really see is just bad advice now.
Richmud 02-13-07, 07:18 PM	:rofl: The article just got edited to correct Skip's mistake. Not surprising as half the board is commenting on it
Artector 02-13-07, 07:36 PM	They did the same thing with Cyran Skates a month or so ago. (I can't remember)
Leress 02-13-07, 08:26 PM	They did the same thing with Cyran Skates a month or so ago. (I can't remember) They did it to the "Dead levels" article a while back.
SneakyPetey 02-13-07, 08:42 PM	Why pay for copy editors when the users will do it for you? :D
SneakyPetey 02-13-07, 08:51 PM	I should just let this go... It's not a big deal. But I'm feeling squirrely today! No, it's not a good point at all. If Skip were asked a question by a friend of his, and he gave an answer off the top of his head, Solik would have a point.. My point, if you re-read my post, is that the web-material is probably WAY DOWN on the priorities list, so he probably wrote the article hurriedly and off the top of his head and got it wrong. Also, let's not forget that (presumably) and editor looked over this as well. That means one of two things: 1) The editor changed Skip's text to insert the wrong stuff 2) The editor missed the mistake Either is possible. I think you presume too much if you think that an editor looks at EVERY ARTICLE that gets posted. I can see time and money preventing web-material from getting a thorough looking-over. Especially to the degree that the printed material is checked. Which was also a point of my original post... It's all good, being a freelance writer in all, you probably know more about this stuff than I do... :P Take it easy. :)