Perilous Gateways - getting old? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Perilous Gateways - getting old? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Jack in the Green
11-09-03, 02:40 PM If the Realms folks at WoTC dont visit these forums could one of the mods pass this on?
Just to begin I love these monthly articles on the website for the Forgotten Realms and will continue to enjoy them as long as you guys keep writing them. But...

I for one am tired of the Perilous Gateways articles. I love the new Realmslore stuff, and I would like to see some more Rand's Travelogue come out.
But lets move on from this portal thing shall we?

Something new and different would be great. Like feature a magic item once each month with a page full of story and history that goes along with it. Or perhaps a monthly world building article with tips on the different environments in different locals.

Something. Anything! But enough with the portals.

Thanks for listening.
Wooly Rupert
11-09-03, 03:33 PM I, personally, like the Perilous Gateways. There's some nifty ideas, there.

But I will agree about wanting to see more Realmslore stuff.

What I'm tired of seeing on the Wizards page is art galleries from the new products, and, even worse, chats with the creators of the new products.

But then, I'm sure that some people love those... everyone has different preferences.

Mayhaps they could do a poll of all the recurring features, and see which ones people like and dislike?
Kuje31
11-09-03, 03:50 PM You know, I have never used one of those portal articles...... Which is strange, because I use portals all the time, but I guess I prefer to make them up when needed.
Gez
11-09-03, 04:21 PM Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
What I'm tired of seeing on the Wizards page is art galleries from the new products, and, even worse, chats with the creators of the new products.

Keep, keep, keep, keep, keep the Art Gallery. Please. Thanks.

To me, it means a way to look at the artistic quality of a book before it arrives in shops (and even, long before it arrives), it's a way to make cheap monster counters with a better quality than by scan, it gives an idea of the ToC of new books and thus quench my endless curiosity, and for some books like Draconomicon, it help determines whether I'll buy it or not.

I've bought Deities & Demigods because the pictures were extra-cool. Not for the content, I've used only the faun from it... Likewise for Draconomicon. It's pretty. It's shiny. Despite that Dennis Crabapple guy that seems to be Dennis Cramer with a new name. Don't like his work. But overall, the book is splendid. And I don't care if I never use any of the "crunch" from it as long as it's pretty. If you find that silly, you're wrong. Art book are paid much more than $40.

However, I know I'm less and less interested in those portals. I'd like to see things a bit different. Like say, a serie that would not be about portals by themselves, but other magical transportation stuff. Planar rifts. The Trail of Mist (damn, I'd like to see the Trail of Mist detailed a bit!). Maybe other stuff, like Skyship lines (travelling to and fro Halruaa). It would still be in Perilous Gateway, but would extends its broadth a bit.

And, finally, closing the column with a compiled PDF. Like what the Mind's Eye team had made. It would be handier and make a nice companion to the FRCS and PGFR.
Wooly Rupert
11-09-03, 04:58 PM I couldn't care less about the artwork. I want content.

That's why I like the idea of them doing a survey, to see what people do and do not like.
Jack in the Green
11-10-03, 07:58 AM The art galleries are candy! They must never go away! :)

A survey would be good.
Gez
11-10-03, 11:25 AM Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I couldn't care less about the artwork. I want content.

If I was only buying PDF to print, that would also be my opinion. And I would ask for size 6 fonts and 1/2 inch margins.
Wooly Rupert
11-10-03, 12:34 PM Perhaps I should have chosen my words a bit more carefully...

I'm not saying I want books without artwork in them. It's just that for me, the art adds nothing to the book. I can take it or leave it. Art is not a consideration, unless I'm buying an artbook.

Either way, I'd rather see something else on the website.
Herr Doktor
11-10-03, 01:03 PM I like the Perilous Gateway articles, though I haven't had occasion to use one yet as the NPCs and guardians involved are usually high-level and I have my own stuff to work on... If I really wanted to include one of the sites I could do some tweaking.

On the other hand... I'm finding that the Realmslore articles are far less useful... It's certainly FLUFF, but I'm not really interested in the broadsheets of Waterdeep.

The first article on it was interesting (I had never really thought of a realms newspaper like that) but it feels as though it's dragging on and on.
Kuje31
11-10-03, 02:56 PM Originally posted by Herr Doktor
On the other hand... I'm finding that the Realmslore articles are far less useful... It's certainly FLUFF, but I'm not really interested in the broadsheets of Waterdeep.

The first article on it was interesting (I had never really thought of a realms newspaper like that) but it feels as though it's dragging on and on.

See here's where I differ, I have used the broadsheet articles a lot. I loved the idea back when it was in the City of Splendors box set, and since I have a few PC's in Waterdeep, it is a great way to send plot hooks or other news of Waterdeep.
Herr Doktor
11-10-03, 03:10 PM Definetly useful for campaigns in Waterdeep or other big cities... Not so useful to us who currently adventure in the frontier areas like the Dalelands.

I guess it's better to tell it all at once rather than coming back to an issue, but I wish something more useful to my current campaign would pop up soon.

;-)
Purple Dragon Knight
11-10-03, 03:20 PM Put my vote for "Had my fill of Portal Articles." :nonono:

Although some may contain interesting tangents on a given FRCS plotline, I find that most seem to be a medium to keep authors with very little FR knowledge busy... (I get the same feeling from the Realms Personality section: what crap. It always feels like a shameless plug to a new Core product.)

It is a shame that the WotC web lady is not accepting unsolicited web articles, really. This could pump some new life in this dull website. Aside from the Master's (Mr. Greenwood's) articles, I'm not reading anything on there anymore (and I agree with a previous poster about the fact that they seem to disassemble Ed's submissions and drag them over way too many articles). I've heard a lot of cool ideas/plotlines being pitched around on these boards, and I've have my quota of "Eurekas!" during my 16 years of FR gaming/thinkering. If this unsolicited ban would disappear, I could see the website improve tremendously... all they need is an editor who can find his arse with both hands when gated amidst Faerûn memorabilia, to screen the submissions and prevent inconsistencies, and voilà.

Don't get me wrong: I'm a diehard FR fan and will support the setting as long as Mr. Greenwood remains associated with it. It wasn't easy to write this post, but I think this does a better favor to those in charge than just nod and say "I love everything!! keep it coming!! :love: " I'm of the opinion that people like Mr. Baker take fan opinion at heart and still have the power to effect improvements in the campaign, hence my "talk from the heart." If this appears vitriolic, it was not my intention, and I apologize.
Kuje31
11-10-03, 03:32 PM Originally posted by Herr Doktor
Definetly useful for campaigns in Waterdeep or other big cities... Not so useful to us who currently adventure in the frontier areas like the Dalelands.

I guess it's better to tell it all at once rather than coming back to an issue, but I wish something more useful to my current campaign would pop up soon.

;-)

Depends on what part of the Dales they are in. Shadowdale has a message post (in the town square), where some of those articles can be used still, just post pages of the books as messages on the message post. :)
Jack in the Green
11-10-03, 03:35 PM Well if you subscribe to the FR mailing list there is a gentleman there who submitted some of his magic weapon writeups:
Like this one (http://oracle.wizards.com/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0310d&L=realms-l&F=&S=&P=317)

Really good stuff. I'd like to see things like that.Another good one (http://oracle.wizards.com/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0310d&L=realms-l&F=&S=&P=438)

The weapon's powers are sweet back really take a back seat to its story. You could build a whole campaign around it if you were so inclined.
Crust
11-10-03, 04:10 PM I never give them the time of day. I often wonder what purpose they serve.
Lashan
11-10-03, 08:39 PM I sometimes find the portal articles worth reading, but lately, I haven't even bothered to browse their pages.

As for describing the Trail of Mist in a web format, it already has been detailed in Mintiper's Chapbook. It was originally a 2E writeup, but there was another web article that updated all the previous ones to 3E. If you did a search for Mintiper, you could find at least one of the articles there.

I like the idea of Broadsheets of Waterdeep, but I fear that series of articles has gone past it's interesting point, too.

I really liked the articles by Mr. Greenwood that detailed Voonlar, Delzimmer and Kholtar. I especially liked the last two, as these areas were NEVER detailed before. It was must appreciated.

I was disappointed about how the Rand's Travelogues came out. I remember at first reading how they were to discuss trade and travel in the Realms. The original article or two was a great discussion on the various merchant coasters and companies in the Realms. This stuff is golden! Unfortunatly, it turned into a rumor generator for "cool" areas of Faerun.

I think the best web supplement I have seen on the WOTC boards were the Mintiper's Chapbook series. They were excellently filled with fluffy storyline AND crunchy bits! It was all original, too. Personally, I think it would be a great way to make bards shine, too. Bards tend to be forgotten, but in a realm like Faerun, they are really the ones who make the news and tell the stories. By having adventures of famous bards, it would fill out a lot of fluff and crunch to satisfy all.

Just my 2 copper...
Wooly Rupert
11-10-03, 09:59 PM Originally posted by Lashan

As for describing the Trail of Mist in a web format, it already has been detailed in Mintiper's Chapbook. It was originally a 2E writeup, but there was another web article that updated all the previous ones to 3E. If you did a search for Mintiper, you could find at least one of the articles there.

I got the Mintiper's Chapbook entries as they were posted, but I never saw anything of them being updated to 3e. Nor can I find that, now... I even looked on Google...
Gez
11-11-03, 01:28 AM Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I got the Mintiper's Chapbook entries as they were posted, but I never saw anything of them being updated to 3e. Nor can I find that, now... I even looked on Google...

It's the last article in the serie. It updates all the previous to 3e.

But what I was saying by a PG on the Trail of Mist was giving it PG style support. In other words, describing 4 or 5 locations (or more!) that are parts of this network, with the gem needed, who is using it, and so on.

Rather than simply explain how it works and say that it exists. Some detailed examples is all I ask.
Wooly Rupert
11-11-03, 02:04 AM Originally posted by Gez
It's the last article in the serie. It updates all the previous to 3e.

Whoops, my bad. I'd not read that one in a long time.

Originally posted by Gez
But what I was saying by a PG on the Trail of Mist was giving it PG style support. In other words, describing 4 or 5 locations (or more!) that are parts of this network, with the gem needed, who is using it, and so on.

Rather than simply explain how it works and say that it exists. Some detailed examples is all I ask.

If you're referring to the Hall of Mists, the portal locations are specified...
Jack in the Green
11-11-03, 07:41 AM Thing is none of the FR web articles are bad IMHO, they just spend too much time on them.

:teach:

Not that they're listening, but they should pick a topic and run it for say, 3 months and then move on. NOT drag it out for months on end just to justify web space.
Wotc_Mark
11-12-03, 07:21 PM Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Mayhaps they could do a poll of all the recurring features, and see which ones people like and dislike?

It is highly unlikely we would do a poll ... even thopugh we don't post here much we do read the forums or hear about threads from people and we do indeed discuss cool ideas and general feelings about article series in our content meetings.

Ultimately it comes down to balancing cool material with marketing support for new products. So art galleries, screen savers, wallpaper, interviews, excerpts, and web enhancements are all something that is done to help make people aware of the product and market the product to them.

Articles like perrilous gateways and realmslore are more of a "cool idea" style article. We carefully watch the number of hits these articles get and if we think an article isn't getting enough traffic we look for something to replace it.

Thanx

MJ
:cool:
Jack in the Green
11-12-03, 07:51 PM Originally posted by Wotc_Mark
It is highly unlikely we would do a poll ...

Articles like perrilous gateways and realmslore are more of a "cool idea" style article. We carefully watch the number of hits these articles get and if we think an article isn't getting enough traffic we look for something to replace it.

Thanx

MJ
:cool:

I appreciate the responce however measuring hit count on a web page is a poor way to guage reader satisfaction. Just because someone clicks a link does not necessarily mean that they read it or even liked it.

Instead of worrying about how many hits your web pages are getting you should realize the gold mine of user input you have right here.

Hit counts = bad, bad, bad idea. :sad:

Again, thanks very much for the reply!
Lashan
11-12-03, 08:02 PM I disagree. There isn't a better economical (in amount of effort and money) way of doing it. If you like the article, you will go back to it. Also, you might tell others about it. It's a decent way of doing it. Sure, not the best, but it sure is easy.
VedVedsica
11-13-03, 03:28 AM I like some of the articles on the website.I really like Wyrms of the North.They should keep that coming.Besides they only come out once a month.The portals have kind of become a drag.The past two boring.I didn't even finish reading them.I agree that expanding them as posted above would make them interesting again.This Realmslore stuff is IMHO...crap.
Also Thanks Jack for the two descriptions of those swords.They were a good read,and interesting.Maybe WOTC's webside could use something like that to spice it up a little.I'll still go back though to read about the dragons!!!!

That's my last copper!!!!
:D
Faraer
11-13-03, 09:48 AM I do agree this overexposure of gates is too much. Leave them a little dignity.

"Realmslore" is the (my) definition of what Realms material should be. Too many of the other new web articles are Realms in name only.

Anything stopping the remaining "Everwinking Eye" articles on the Border Kingdoms from being web-published?
Masakado
11-13-03, 10:42 AM Originally posted by Kuje31
You know, I have never used one of those portal articles...... Which is strange, because I use portals all the time, but I guess I prefer to make them up when needed.

That's funny, because part of my mid-level campaign is based on The Winding Serpent.

I may use the Red Wizard material, but none of the other articles appeal to me.
Jack in the Green
11-14-03, 04:31 PM Originally posted by VedVedsica
I like some of the articles on the website.I really like Wyrms of the North.They should keep that coming.Besides they only come out once a month.The portals have kind of become a drag.The past two boring.I didn't even finish reading them.I agree that expanding them as posted above would make them interesting again.This Realmslore stuff is IMHO...crap.
That's my last copper!!!!
:D

Thats what I'm saying. Just clicking the link means nothing and is not a good measure of readership appreciation.

Also Thanks Jack for the two descriptions of those swords.They were a good read,and interesting.Maybe WOTC's webside could use something like that to spice it up a little.I'll still go back though to read about the dragons!!!!

I can take credit for the links only. The guy who wrote them is a list member who submitted those articles to Dragon. One of the reasons he was turned down was because they were too long. :rolleyes: So he just posted them to the mailing list for everyone to enjoy. I hope he does more.
VedVedsica
11-14-03, 05:22 PM I hope he does too.Too bad they said they were too long.I liked the detail of the descriptions,the history.That's what makes an interesting read.Not some stupid crap about broadcryers or presses in Waterdeep.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jack in the Green 11-09-03, 02:40 PM	If the Realms folks at WoTC dont visit these forums could one of the mods pass this on? Just to begin I love these monthly articles on the website for the Forgotten Realms and will continue to enjoy them as long as you guys keep writing them. But... I for one am tired of the Perilous Gateways articles. I love the new Realmslore stuff, and I would like to see some more Rand's Travelogue come out. But lets move on from this portal thing shall we? Something new and different would be great. Like feature a magic item once each month with a page full of story and history that goes along with it. Or perhaps a monthly world building article with tips on the different environments in different locals. Something. Anything! But enough with the portals. Thanks for listening.
Wooly Rupert 11-09-03, 03:33 PM	I, personally, like the Perilous Gateways. There's some nifty ideas, there. But I will agree about wanting to see more Realmslore stuff. What I'm tired of seeing on the Wizards page is art galleries from the new products, and, even worse, chats with the creators of the new products. But then, I'm sure that some people love those... everyone has different preferences. Mayhaps they could do a poll of all the recurring features, and see which ones people like and dislike?
Kuje31 11-09-03, 03:50 PM	You know, I have never used one of those portal articles...... Which is strange, because I use portals all the time, but I guess I prefer to make them up when needed.
Gez 11-09-03, 04:21 PM	Originally posted by Wooly Rupert What I'm tired of seeing on the Wizards page is art galleries from the new products, and, even worse, chats with the creators of the new products. Keep, keep, keep, keep, keep the Art Gallery. Please. Thanks. To me, it means a way to look at the artistic quality of a book before it arrives in shops (and even, long before it arrives), it's a way to make cheap monster counters with a better quality than by scan, it gives an idea of the ToC of new books and thus quench my endless curiosity, and for some books like Draconomicon, it help determines whether I'll buy it or not. I've bought Deities & Demigods because the pictures were extra-cool. Not for the content, I've used only the faun from it... Likewise for Draconomicon. It's pretty. It's shiny. Despite that Dennis Crabapple guy that seems to be Dennis Cramer with a new name. Don't like his work. But overall, the book is splendid. And I don't care if I never use any of the "crunch" from it as long as it's pretty. If you find that silly, you're wrong. Art book are paid much more than $40. However, I know I'm less and less interested in those portals. I'd like to see things a bit different. Like say, a serie that would not be about portals by themselves, but other magical transportation stuff. Planar rifts. The Trail of Mist (damn, I'd like to see the Trail of Mist detailed a bit!). Maybe other stuff, like Skyship lines (travelling to and fro Halruaa). It would still be in Perilous Gateway, but would extends its broadth a bit. And, finally, closing the column with a compiled PDF. Like what the Mind's Eye team had made. It would be handier and make a nice companion to the FRCS and PGFR.
Wooly Rupert 11-09-03, 04:58 PM	I couldn't care less about the artwork. I want content. That's why I like the idea of them doing a survey, to see what people do and do not like.
Jack in the Green 11-10-03, 07:58 AM	The art galleries are candy! They must never go away! :) A survey would be good.
Gez 11-10-03, 11:25 AM	Originally posted by Wooly Rupert I couldn't care less about the artwork. I want content. If I was only buying PDF to print, that would also be my opinion. And I would ask for size 6 fonts and 1/2 inch margins.
Wooly Rupert 11-10-03, 12:34 PM	Perhaps I should have chosen my words a bit more carefully... I'm not saying I want books without artwork in them. It's just that for me, the art adds nothing to the book. I can take it or leave it. Art is not a consideration, unless I'm buying an artbook. Either way, I'd rather see something else on the website.
Herr Doktor 11-10-03, 01:03 PM	I like the Perilous Gateway articles, though I haven't had occasion to use one yet as the NPCs and guardians involved are usually high-level and I have my own stuff to work on... If I really wanted to include one of the sites I could do some tweaking. On the other hand... I'm finding that the Realmslore articles are far less useful... It's certainly FLUFF, but I'm not really interested in the broadsheets of Waterdeep. The first article on it was interesting (I had never really thought of a realms newspaper like that) but it feels as though it's dragging on and on.
Kuje31 11-10-03, 02:56 PM	Originally posted by Herr Doktor On the other hand... I'm finding that the Realmslore articles are far less useful... It's certainly FLUFF, but I'm not really interested in the broadsheets of Waterdeep. The first article on it was interesting (I had never really thought of a realms newspaper like that) but it feels as though it's dragging on and on. See here's where I differ, I have used the broadsheet articles a lot. I loved the idea back when it was in the City of Splendors box set, and since I have a few PC's in Waterdeep, it is a great way to send plot hooks or other news of Waterdeep.
Herr Doktor 11-10-03, 03:10 PM	Definetly useful for campaigns in Waterdeep or other big cities... Not so useful to us who currently adventure in the frontier areas like the Dalelands. I guess it's better to tell it all at once rather than coming back to an issue, but I wish something more useful to my current campaign would pop up soon. ;-)
Purple Dragon Knight 11-10-03, 03:20 PM	Put my vote for "Had my fill of Portal Articles." :nonono: Although some may contain interesting tangents on a given FRCS plotline, I find that most seem to be a medium to keep authors with very little FR knowledge busy... (I get the same feeling from the Realms Personality section: what crap. It always feels like a shameless plug to a new Core product.) It is a shame that the WotC web lady is not accepting unsolicited web articles, really. This could pump some new life in this dull website. Aside from the Master's (Mr. Greenwood's) articles, I'm not reading anything on there anymore (and I agree with a previous poster about the fact that they seem to disassemble Ed's submissions and drag them over way too many articles). I've heard a lot of cool ideas/plotlines being pitched around on these boards, and I've have my quota of "Eurekas!" during my 16 years of FR gaming/thinkering. If this unsolicited ban would disappear, I could see the website improve tremendously... all they need is an editor who can find his arse with both hands when gated amidst Faerûn memorabilia, to screen the submissions and prevent inconsistencies, and voilà. Don't get me wrong: I'm a diehard FR fan and will support the setting as long as Mr. Greenwood remains associated with it. It wasn't easy to write this post, but I think this does a better favor to those in charge than just nod and say "I love everything!! keep it coming!! :love: " I'm of the opinion that people like Mr. Baker take fan opinion at heart and still have the power to effect improvements in the campaign, hence my "talk from the heart." If this appears vitriolic, it was not my intention, and I apologize.
Kuje31 11-10-03, 03:32 PM	Originally posted by Herr Doktor Definetly useful for campaigns in Waterdeep or other big cities... Not so useful to us who currently adventure in the frontier areas like the Dalelands. I guess it's better to tell it all at once rather than coming back to an issue, but I wish something more useful to my current campaign would pop up soon. ;-) Depends on what part of the Dales they are in. Shadowdale has a message post (in the town square), where some of those articles can be used still, just post pages of the books as messages on the message post. :)
Jack in the Green 11-10-03, 03:35 PM	Well if you subscribe to the FR mailing list there is a gentleman there who submitted some of his magic weapon writeups: Like this one (http://oracle.wizards.com/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0310d&L=realms-l&F=&S=&P=317) Really good stuff. I'd like to see things like that.Another good one (http://oracle.wizards.com/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0310d&L=realms-l&F=&S=&P=438) The weapon's powers are sweet back really take a back seat to its story. You could build a whole campaign around it if you were so inclined.
Crust 11-10-03, 04:10 PM	I never give them the time of day. I often wonder what purpose they serve.
Lashan 11-10-03, 08:39 PM	I sometimes find the portal articles worth reading, but lately, I haven't even bothered to browse their pages. As for describing the Trail of Mist in a web format, it already has been detailed in Mintiper's Chapbook. It was originally a 2E writeup, but there was another web article that updated all the previous ones to 3E. If you did a search for Mintiper, you could find at least one of the articles there. I like the idea of Broadsheets of Waterdeep, but I fear that series of articles has gone past it's interesting point, too. I really liked the articles by Mr. Greenwood that detailed Voonlar, Delzimmer and Kholtar. I especially liked the last two, as these areas were NEVER detailed before. It was must appreciated. I was disappointed about how the Rand's Travelogues came out. I remember at first reading how they were to discuss trade and travel in the Realms. The original article or two was a great discussion on the various merchant coasters and companies in the Realms. This stuff is golden! Unfortunatly, it turned into a rumor generator for "cool" areas of Faerun. I think the best web supplement I have seen on the WOTC boards were the Mintiper's Chapbook series. They were excellently filled with fluffy storyline AND crunchy bits! It was all original, too. Personally, I think it would be a great way to make bards shine, too. Bards tend to be forgotten, but in a realm like Faerun, they are really the ones who make the news and tell the stories. By having adventures of famous bards, it would fill out a lot of fluff and crunch to satisfy all. Just my 2 copper...
Wooly Rupert 11-10-03, 09:59 PM	Originally posted by Lashan As for describing the Trail of Mist in a web format, it already has been detailed in Mintiper's Chapbook. It was originally a 2E writeup, but there was another web article that updated all the previous ones to 3E. If you did a search for Mintiper, you could find at least one of the articles there. I got the Mintiper's Chapbook entries as they were posted, but I never saw anything of them being updated to 3e. Nor can I find that, now... I even looked on Google...
Gez 11-11-03, 01:28 AM	Originally posted by Wooly Rupert I got the Mintiper's Chapbook entries as they were posted, but I never saw anything of them being updated to 3e. Nor can I find that, now... I even looked on Google... It's the last article in the serie. It updates all the previous to 3e. But what I was saying by a PG on the Trail of Mist was giving it PG style support. In other words, describing 4 or 5 locations (or more!) that are parts of this network, with the gem needed, who is using it, and so on. Rather than simply explain how it works and say that it exists. Some detailed examples is all I ask.
Wooly Rupert 11-11-03, 02:04 AM	Originally posted by Gez It's the last article in the serie. It updates all the previous to 3e. Whoops, my bad. I'd not read that one in a long time. Originally posted by Gez But what I was saying by a PG on the Trail of Mist was giving it PG style support. In other words, describing 4 or 5 locations (or more!) that are parts of this network, with the gem needed, who is using it, and so on. Rather than simply explain how it works and say that it exists. Some detailed examples is all I ask. If you're referring to the Hall of Mists, the portal locations are specified...
Jack in the Green 11-11-03, 07:41 AM	Thing is none of the FR web articles are bad IMHO, they just spend too much time on them. :teach: Not that they're listening, but they should pick a topic and run it for say, 3 months and then move on. NOT drag it out for months on end just to justify web space.
Wotc_Mark 11-12-03, 07:21 PM	Originally posted by Wooly Rupert Mayhaps they could do a poll of all the recurring features, and see which ones people like and dislike? It is highly unlikely we would do a poll ... even thopugh we don't post here much we do read the forums or hear about threads from people and we do indeed discuss cool ideas and general feelings about article series in our content meetings. Ultimately it comes down to balancing cool material with marketing support for new products. So art galleries, screen savers, wallpaper, interviews, excerpts, and web enhancements are all something that is done to help make people aware of the product and market the product to them. Articles like perrilous gateways and realmslore are more of a "cool idea" style article. We carefully watch the number of hits these articles get and if we think an article isn't getting enough traffic we look for something to replace it. Thanx MJ :cool:
Jack in the Green 11-12-03, 07:51 PM	Originally posted by Wotc_Mark It is highly unlikely we would do a poll ... Articles like perrilous gateways and realmslore are more of a "cool idea" style article. We carefully watch the number of hits these articles get and if we think an article isn't getting enough traffic we look for something to replace it. Thanx MJ :cool: I appreciate the responce however measuring hit count on a web page is a poor way to guage reader satisfaction. Just because someone clicks a link does not necessarily mean that they read it or even liked it. Instead of worrying about how many hits your web pages are getting you should realize the gold mine of user input you have right here. Hit counts = bad, bad, bad idea. :sad: Again, thanks very much for the reply!
Lashan 11-12-03, 08:02 PM	I disagree. There isn't a better economical (in amount of effort and money) way of doing it. If you like the article, you will go back to it. Also, you might tell others about it. It's a decent way of doing it. Sure, not the best, but it sure is easy.
VedVedsica 11-13-03, 03:28 AM	I like some of the articles on the website.I really like Wyrms of the North.They should keep that coming.Besides they only come out once a month.The portals have kind of become a drag.The past two boring.I didn't even finish reading them.I agree that expanding them as posted above would make them interesting again.This Realmslore stuff is IMHO...crap. Also Thanks Jack for the two descriptions of those swords.They were a good read,and interesting.Maybe WOTC's webside could use something like that to spice it up a little.I'll still go back though to read about the dragons!!!! That's my last copper!!!! :D
Faraer 11-13-03, 09:48 AM	I do agree this overexposure of gates is too much. Leave them a little dignity. "Realmslore" is the (my) definition of what Realms material should be. Too many of the other new web articles are Realms in name only. Anything stopping the remaining "Everwinking Eye" articles on the Border Kingdoms from being web-published?
Masakado 11-13-03, 10:42 AM	Originally posted by Kuje31 You know, I have never used one of those portal articles...... Which is strange, because I use portals all the time, but I guess I prefer to make them up when needed. That's funny, because part of my mid-level campaign is based on The Winding Serpent. I may use the Red Wizard material, but none of the other articles appeal to me.
Jack in the Green 11-14-03, 04:31 PM	Originally posted by VedVedsica I like some of the articles on the website.I really like Wyrms of the North.They should keep that coming.Besides they only come out once a month.The portals have kind of become a drag.The past two boring.I didn't even finish reading them.I agree that expanding them as posted above would make them interesting again.This Realmslore stuff is IMHO...crap. That's my last copper!!!! :D Thats what I'm saying. Just clicking the link means nothing and is not a good measure of readership appreciation. Also Thanks Jack for the two descriptions of those swords.They were a good read,and interesting.Maybe WOTC's webside could use something like that to spice it up a little.I'll still go back though to read about the dragons!!!! I can take credit for the links only. The guy who wrote them is a list member who submitted those articles to Dragon. One of the reasons he was turned down was because they were too long. :rolleyes: So he just posted them to the mailing list for everyone to enjoy. I hope he does more.
VedVedsica 11-14-03, 05:22 PM	I hope he does too.Too bad they said they were too long.I liked the detail of the descriptions,the history.That's what makes an interesting read.Not some stupid crap about broadcryers or presses in Waterdeep.