Electronic (Computer) D&D Wishlist - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Electronic (Computer) D&D Wishlist

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
ericktorres
Jul 25, 2009 15:21:00 Intro: Alright, I’ll try to make this the less boring possible, while at the same time showing the “behind the scenes” aspects of my wishful next electronic Dungeons & Dragons game. I apologize for any grammar or syntax error, since I’m not from an English-speaking country. Now, without any further delay:

Main Aspects:
Heroic Campaign
Turn Based
Create your whole party
Single Player Skirmish (without a DM)
Multiplayer (with an without a DM)
Buy it at your local store or at the WoTC site!
FREE for DD Insiders! *

Q&A:
Q: Heroic Campaign? Why?
Good answer: So the developers can focus on few things, not worrying about Paragon Paths and Epic Destinies.
Bad answer: So we can deliver two expansion packs: for Paragon and for Epic Tiers.

Q: Turn Based?
A: The new D&D is all about positioning, cooperation and tactics. The only way to allow this is to make the game Turn Based, because you can’t rely on AI.

Q: Create your whole party?
A: From the beginning. You can make the five party members. This permits the player to work on his style of play, instead of him adapting to joinable party members with characteristics he dislike. This, off course, doesn’t mean the game won’t have joinable party members, but they won’t be the rule, but the exception.

Q: Skirmish?
A: The player will be able to play in situation-created maps, against defined or randomized enemies. Do you want to know how well your group faces brutes on a bridge, with artilleries behind? Or if you can escape a flooding chamber, filled with animated skeletons?

Q: Multiplayer! How will it work?
A: The Multiplayer can be played in few ways: (1) Skirmish style, with you allied and/or facing other players; (2) an adventure programmed, where you join forces with other players to overcome; (3) a really D&D experience, with a DM playing with the monsters, and you and your friends facing this challenge!

Q: Buy it at you local store, or at WoTC site! Why?
A: Some players, like me, dislike the online buying. Being able to go to the nearest store and buying the product allows, even, for casual players to view the game on the shelf, and buying it.

Q: FREE for DD Insiders?
A: Yes, free of charge. At every month of membership, you acquire “virtual gp”, which you can use to buy the game.

Other Aspects:
Create and publish your adventures online!
Updated every month with new content! *
And the virtual game table?
Take it to the next tier of play!
Avoiding the piracy problem!

Q: Publishing adventures?
A: If you’re a member of DDI, you will be able to create your own adventures, and publishing online. It can be a single player skirmish, a multiplayer skirmish or even a multiplayer automatic adventure (without the DM). Your creation will have your DDI name on it, so anyone will know the creator!

Q: Updates, how will it work?
A: Using the free “virtual gp” that you gain every month of membership on DDI, you will be able to access new products, like the Player’s Handbook 3, to be used. Non-members will have to buy it online (can’t risk putting this on shelves to just gather dust) at the WoTC site.

Q: The Virtual Game Table?
A: I know Wizards have promised it, but with this game you won’t need it! Also, it will be made free for Insiders, as explained above, so you’ll have an improved Virtual Game Table.
Author Opinion: I think the VGT idea is stalled, so it might me worthy to check my idea of integrating the computer game with the DDI.

Q: The next Tiers of play, how will it work?
A: The same way discussed before: Insiders will be able to “buy” using “virtual gp”, and non-members will be able to buy it online only, since the paragon expansion set will require the heroic tier game, and the epic expansion set will require the paragon one. Since it will take time to the expansions sets to be released, they will come with the updates so, non-members buying it will acquire the new content released until the expansion set, opening new ways to play with the heroic campaign.

Q: Oh God, that’s the pirates! What we gonna do?
A: The game will have a serial number, and to be activated you will have to register it on a site (don’t know how, though), to even be able to play the game. To play online with your friends, you’ll use that site, so it will block any attempt to play online using the same serial number under different registrations, or using the same registration in different machines at the same time.

The ways to have fun:
Thematic Campaign
Challenges
Limiting the “boring” factor
Creating character for non-Single Player Campaign
Can I print my character sheet?
How will immediate interrupt and reaction work?

Q: Thematic?
A: Bonus campaign, available once you finish the mains one, involves different paths or even a whole different story, but will limit your choices in creation. Why not be a military squad helping your feudal lord to conquer lands using only Martial classes? Or an archeological group made only with Arcane classes trying to discover artifact and ancient tomes? Play with the Inquisition, purging the land from evil using only Divine classes! Defend your tribe and homeland from the invaders (monsters or “civilized” nations) using only Primal classes!

Q: Challenges?
A: Challenges would be skirmish-like plays, with limited creation possibilities. Can you work your way through a battle using only pre-selected Strikers?

Q: The player left during the battle to grab a snack. It is his turn, and I’m almost sleeping here! Help!
A: When creating a multiplayer game, after selecting the map it will be played (or the campaign), the DM (or the creator of the game, if there won’t be a DM) chooses the level of the players, and the time limit for each turn, ranging from a minute to five minutes. If a player doesn’t act until the timer runs out, his character goes full defense for the round.
If a player quits, his character goes to the DM, who can play with it as a DMPC, or reassign the character to another player. The DM can force an End Turn from any player if he thinks so.

Q: What are my limitations when creating characters?
A: Selecting the level of him (max of 10 until the expansions). The magic items and gold will work as written on the DMG. You will be able to use any class, build option, and race. Note that the restricted games (thematic campaign and challenges) may leave some of your characters unselectable.

Q: Can I print my character sheet?
A: No, for this you have the character builder so, unless you’re an Insider, you can’t print your character.

Q: How will immediate interrupt and reaction work?
A: Any time the immediate can be applied, a pop up window will be show, and the player will have from 15 to 30 seconds (time adjusted by the DM before the start of the session) to choose to use it or not.

Thank you Note:
Thank you for your patience, and I will be updating this topic with any ideas you can provide.
#2
ericktorres
Jul 28, 2009 8:47:14 Over 80 views, and not a single word from the forum? C'mon! Is the idea so horrible it doesn't even deserve an answer? Post if you like it, if you dislike it, if you think it is too trippy and won't work...

Remember, a computer game made right could replace the Virtual Table Top and the Miniature Visualizer!
#3
riddling-reaver
Jul 28, 2009 9:01:40 It's complete fantasy. Giant flying fire-breathing reptiles are more realistic than this wishlist. At least come up with something vaguly plausible.
#4
Nerpherder
Jul 28, 2009 9:22:09 The Virtual Table Top was put on hold due to the lack of man power to develop the utility properly. Your suggesting a game that is on par or larger that WoW, which has an entire team of programers doing monthly updates and patches and they still have glitches hangups and slowdowns. Your concept, as cool as some points are, would have to be a second party application which brings with it an entire barrel of problems.

If WotC is going to out source any program I believe the Virtual Table Top would be a better use of their time and money. Id would much rather I have a utility that I can input my Homebrew campaign notes and then play in with my brother in Japan, while Im in the US, then a game we can multi player, but have no unique control over.

Also we saw the ground works of the VTT, which means it is closer to reality then any fully developed second party software.

-Nerp
#5
starleena
Jul 28, 2009 11:01:42 These kind of games cost millions to make. If ever it certainly would not be free.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 ericktorres Jul 25, 2009 15:21:00	Intro: Alright, I’ll try to make this the less boring possible, while at the same time showing the “behind the scenes” aspects of my wishful next electronic Dungeons & Dragons game. I apologize for any grammar or syntax error, since I’m not from an English-speaking country. Now, without any further delay: Main Aspects: Heroic Campaign Turn Based Create your whole party Single Player Skirmish (without a DM) Multiplayer (with an without a DM) Buy it at your local store or at the WoTC site! FREE for DD Insiders! * Q&A: Q: Heroic Campaign? Why? Good answer: So the developers can focus on few things, not worrying about Paragon Paths and Epic Destinies. Bad answer: So we can deliver two expansion packs: for Paragon and for Epic Tiers. Q: Turn Based? A: The new D&D is all about positioning, cooperation and tactics. The only way to allow this is to make the game Turn Based, because you can’t rely on AI. Q: Create your whole party? A: From the beginning. You can make the five party members. This permits the player to work on his style of play, instead of him adapting to joinable party members with characteristics he dislike. This, off course, doesn’t mean the game won’t have joinable party members, but they won’t be the rule, but the exception. Q: Skirmish? A: The player will be able to play in situation-created maps, against defined or randomized enemies. Do you want to know how well your group faces brutes on a bridge, with artilleries behind? Or if you can escape a flooding chamber, filled with animated skeletons? Q: Multiplayer! How will it work? A: The Multiplayer can be played in few ways: (1) Skirmish style, with you allied and/or facing other players; (2) an adventure programmed, where you join forces with other players to overcome; (3) a really D&D experience, with a DM playing with the monsters, and you and your friends facing this challenge! Q: Buy it at you local store, or at WoTC site! Why? A: Some players, like me, dislike the online buying. Being able to go to the nearest store and buying the product allows, even, for casual players to view the game on the shelf, and buying it. Q: FREE for DD Insiders? A: Yes, free of charge. At every month of membership, you acquire “virtual gp”, which you can use to buy the game. Other Aspects: Create and publish your adventures online! Updated every month with new content! * And the virtual game table? Take it to the next tier of play! Avoiding the piracy problem! Q: Publishing adventures? A: If you’re a member of DDI, you will be able to create your own adventures, and publishing online. It can be a single player skirmish, a multiplayer skirmish or even a multiplayer automatic adventure (without the DM). Your creation will have your DDI name on it, so anyone will know the creator! Q: Updates, how will it work? A: Using the free “virtual gp” that you gain every month of membership on DDI, you will be able to access new products, like the Player’s Handbook 3, to be used. Non-members will have to buy it online (can’t risk putting this on shelves to just gather dust) at the WoTC site. Q: The Virtual Game Table? A: I know Wizards have promised it, but with this game you won’t need it! Also, it will be made free for Insiders, as explained above, so you’ll have an improved Virtual Game Table. Author Opinion: I think the VGT idea is stalled, so it might me worthy to check my idea of integrating the computer game with the DDI. Q: The next Tiers of play, how will it work? A: The same way discussed before: Insiders will be able to “buy” using “virtual gp”, and non-members will be able to buy it online only, since the paragon expansion set will require the heroic tier game, and the epic expansion set will require the paragon one. Since it will take time to the expansions sets to be released, they will come with the updates so, non-members buying it will acquire the new content released until the expansion set, opening new ways to play with the heroic campaign. Q: Oh God, that’s the pirates! What we gonna do? A: The game will have a serial number, and to be activated you will have to register it on a site (don’t know how, though), to even be able to play the game. To play online with your friends, you’ll use that site, so it will block any attempt to play online using the same serial number under different registrations, or using the same registration in different machines at the same time. The ways to have fun: Thematic Campaign Challenges Limiting the “boring” factor Creating character for non-Single Player Campaign Can I print my character sheet? How will immediate interrupt and reaction work? Q: Thematic? A: Bonus campaign, available once you finish the mains one, involves different paths or even a whole different story, but will limit your choices in creation. Why not be a military squad helping your feudal lord to conquer lands using only Martial classes? Or an archeological group made only with Arcane classes trying to discover artifact and ancient tomes? Play with the Inquisition, purging the land from evil using only Divine classes! Defend your tribe and homeland from the invaders (monsters or “civilized” nations) using only Primal classes! Q: Challenges? A: Challenges would be skirmish-like plays, with limited creation possibilities. Can you work your way through a battle using only pre-selected Strikers? Q: The player left during the battle to grab a snack. It is his turn, and I’m almost sleeping here! Help! A: When creating a multiplayer game, after selecting the map it will be played (or the campaign), the DM (or the creator of the game, if there won’t be a DM) chooses the level of the players, and the time limit for each turn, ranging from a minute to five minutes. If a player doesn’t act until the timer runs out, his character goes full defense for the round. If a player quits, his character goes to the DM, who can play with it as a DMPC, or reassign the character to another player. The DM can force an End Turn from any player if he thinks so. Q: What are my limitations when creating characters? A: Selecting the level of him (max of 10 until the expansions). The magic items and gold will work as written on the DMG. You will be able to use any class, build option, and race. Note that the restricted games (thematic campaign and challenges) may leave some of your characters unselectable. Q: Can I print my character sheet? A: No, for this you have the character builder so, unless you’re an Insider, you can’t print your character. Q: How will immediate interrupt and reaction work? A: Any time the immediate can be applied, a pop up window will be show, and the player will have from 15 to 30 seconds (time adjusted by the DM before the start of the session) to choose to use it or not. Thank you Note: Thank you for your patience, and I will be updating this topic with any ideas you can provide.
#2 ericktorres Jul 28, 2009 8:47:14	Over 80 views, and not a single word from the forum? C'mon! Is the idea so horrible it doesn't even deserve an answer? Post if you like it, if you dislike it, if you think it is too trippy and won't work... Remember, a computer game made right could replace the Virtual Table Top and the Miniature Visualizer!
#3 riddling-reaver Jul 28, 2009 9:01:40	It's complete fantasy. Giant flying fire-breathing reptiles are more realistic than this wishlist. At least come up with something vaguly plausible.
#4 Nerpherder Jul 28, 2009 9:22:09	The Virtual Table Top was put on hold due to the lack of man power to develop the utility properly. Your suggesting a game that is on par or larger that WoW, which has an entire team of programers doing monthly updates and patches and they still have glitches hangups and slowdowns. Your concept, as cool as some points are, would have to be a second party application which brings with it an entire barrel of problems. If WotC is going to out source any program I believe the Virtual Table Top would be a better use of their time and money. Id would much rather I have a utility that I can input my Homebrew campaign notes and then play in with my brother in Japan, while Im in the US, then a game we can multi player, but have no unique control over. Also we saw the ground works of the VTT, which means it is closer to reality then any fully developed second party software. -Nerp
#5 starleena Jul 28, 2009 11:01:42	These kind of games cost millions to make. If ever it certainly would not be free.