There's the RPGA (the Role-Playing Game(rs) Association) and the DCI (Duelists' Convocation International). The former handled D&D and the latter covered MTG and they each used to have their own card and networks. Now they're both merged into one card (the DCI card) sort of--But they're still listed as separate entities. Also, there's now a WPN (Wizards Play Network), which looks like a social networking hub attached to the RPGA, but not DCI. The WPN seems to have become the new go-to for organized D&D play, but it's still not 100% operational yet (and not in a "second deathstar" way).
Additionally, the RPGA/DCI/WPN chimera has retooled its rewards system so it works like this and changed the exam protocols so you only need an 85% to pass, so this page is outdated. And while this set of general rules is still being referenced by the newcomers page, these are the actual general rules and supplemental information files.
This much I have ascertained on my own. Now, when I test-registered a game (to see how the system worked and to find additional questions I might need the answers to), I saw that one of the game modules under the listing was for "D&D Home Campaign (Other)". I understand that a home game is just that--a non-public game played at home with some friends--but this is a subheading under that option. Is this for Dungeon articles that aren't already listed or can one play homebrew games for DM rewards points or is it for something different altogether?
Also, I was wondering what a "Retail" event type is, whether it's an event held by a company to promote a specific product that WotC has just released or if it's for public events that happen to be hosted by a retailer or outlet.
Reading through all this has made my eyes hurt and given me a headache. Anyone in the know, I humbly appeal to your sense of pity.
I should have the screenshot guide to reporting your events posted as well around that time; I will include links to each of the guides as needed!
So, I'm a long-time D&D player (coming up on nine years now) and recently a friend of a friend went to a con event and ordered some DCI cards--long story short I'm now a Herald interested in running some RPGA games. However, things look a little...scattered, shall we say, online. Let me see if I understand where things are right now (any clarification anyone can give will be greatly appreciated):
You've got questions, we've got answers. (It's okay, I used to work at Radio Shack, so I'm allowed to say it).
There's the RPGA (the Role-Playing Game(rs) Association) and the DCI (Duelists' Convocation International). The former handled D&D and the latter covered MTG and they each used to have their own card and networks. Now they're both merged into one card (the DCI card) sort of--But they're still listed as separate entities. Also, there's now a WPN (Wizards Play Network), which looks like a social networking hub attached to the RPGA, but not DCI. The WPN seems to have become the new go-to for organized D&D play, but it's still not 100% operational yet (and not in a "second deathstar" way).
You're close.
Back in August the DCI and the RPGA merged their databases, instead of having two separate databases. There were a variety of reasons for this, a large one being that the RPGA database was (technologically) ancient, and nobody at WotC knew how to program/maintain it. In short, it had outlived
its usefulness. (This merger caused more than a few headaches, but that's another series of thread entirely).
While the RPGA and DCI are still two different organizations, they're both under the "umbrella" of the Wizards Play Network. Kinda like Magic and D&D are two different sections under WotC. Or how WotC is it's own company, under the Hasbro umbrella.
So far as I can tell the WPN is just a way to pool resources for the two different organized play programs internally at WotC.
Really, I'm not sure what the plans are for the WPN going forward. It seems to be a central way of managing what WotC programs you organize and run events for. As well as how many new players you introduce to WotC games, and etc. There may be more down the road, but for now the DCI and RPGA are two (mostly) separate entities under the WPN flag.
Additionally, the RPGA/DCI/WPN chimera has retooled its rewards system so it works like this and changed the exam protocols so you only need an 85% to pass, so this page is outdated. And while this set of general rules is still being referenced by the newcomers page, these are the actual general rules and supplemental information files.
Welcome to transition.
Yes, the rewards program has been retooled to reward GMs. I find this to be a reasonable change, and most people I speak with seem to find it acceptable as well.The D&D (and with it the RPGA) website is getting overhauled "as we speak". We were told at DDXP to look for those changes to start occurring as early as the end of this month (February).
The General RPGA rules are also getting a rewrite due this spring. We've been told that, among other things there will be an updated set of penalty guidelines, as well as a better explanation of what the RPGA is.
For now, following the "use the most recent rules" doctrine that suffuses D&D and the RPGA - if the General Rules are conflicted by content in the Charater Creation Guide, the CCG wins. I, personally, subscribe to the "common sense" clause and just go with what appears to make the most sense.
This much I have ascertained on my own. Now, when I test-registered a game (to see how the system worked and to find additional questions I might need the answers to), I saw that one of the game modules under the listing was for "D&D Home Campaign (Other)". I understand that a home game is just that--a non-public game played at home with some friends--but this is a subheading under that option. Is this for Dungeon articles that aren't already listed or can one play homebrew games for DM rewards points or is it for something different altogether?
The "Home Campaign (Other)" option is there for people who are running games at home (or simply private games regardless of venue) but the adventures they are running are those of their own creation (and not set in a published campaign setting like Forgotten Realms, Eberron, or whatever other "Home Campaign" options are in the list).
This option may certainly be used for Dragon articles that aren't in the RPGA library, or for 3rd party modules - even for playing other versions of D&D dating back to the original box sets (with the caveat that the rewards you're getting are from 4th Edition, as the old versions are no longer supported).
Also, I was wondering what a "Retail" event type is, whether it's an event held by a company to promote a specific product that WotC has just released or if it's for public events that happen to be hosted by a retailer or outlet.
Retail is for events that are open to the public, held at a retail location (like your Friendly/Favorite Local Game Store (FLGS) ). This is where I get most of my play in. Someone from my group sanctions/orders a module for play at the store, downloads it, and we play there in the store. Because "retail" was selected the module appears on the RPGA Event Calendar and is advertised accordingly to anyone looking for a game in my area on that date.
Reading through all this has made my eyes hurt and given me a headache. Anyone in the know, I humbly appeal to your sense of pity.
I'd like to recommend you read the FAQ at the top of this forum if you haven't already done so. It might answer some of your questions, plus you can find warfteiners MOST excellent pictorial guide to ordering an event (complete with extensive notes).
Look for his guide to reporting an event coming soon (so he tells me). ;)
Not to bypass warfteiner's forthcoming answers, but I'll see what light I can shed and where.
You are a wonderful person for posting all of this. THANK YOU! :D
I'll still be looking forward to warfteiner's post and I will most certainly read the rest of the FAQ (I read one the image-guides already and it really helped solidify what I thought I knew and weed out what I wasn't sure about).
Thanks again!
Enjoy; let me know if I can do anything else!
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=17816000#post17816000
That thread contains a picture guide on reporting your events.