tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post6466690604303623882..comments2023-09-18T15:13:07.133-04:00Comments on Cyclopeatron: WotC's D&D Red Box Commerical by Dungeon MajestyBob Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073807225519106277noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-69400111511915892572010-10-12T11:16:54.537-04:002010-10-12T11:16:54.537-04:00Apparently, D&D is also available at Target.
...Apparently, D&D is also available at Target.<br /><br />As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The Dungeon Majesty version is better, but if you've only got 30 seconds for your TV spot, you've got to cut somewhere.<br /><br />I've tried 4E once, and while I didn't like it, i'm going to give it a couple more goes, just to make sure I give it a fair shake.Aaron E. Steelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789462075611254929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-31980768271889896702010-10-11T20:55:38.355-04:002010-10-11T20:55:38.355-04:00I don't have a dog in the fight as to 4e (this...I don't have a dog in the fight as to 4e (this said after buying the Essentials and returning them in the same day). But WotC has always sold games in spite of their ads, not because of them. Some of the MtG ads from the 90s are the stuff of legend.<br /><br />I always thought the "Carlos the Dwarf" segment from Freaks & Geeks would have made a fine ad for D&D. It doesn't try to get away from the fact that, face it, this is an inherently dorky pastime, but it also makes it clear what the game's about and that it's pretty damned fun, even for "cool" people:<br /><br />http://tinyurl.com/33fp8bScotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00155926145150934199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-49902327581713693602010-10-11T15:30:22.924-04:002010-10-11T15:30:22.924-04:00Has anyone seen it on TV? I don't watch TV so ...<i>Has anyone seen it on TV? I don't watch TV so I don't know.</i><br /><br />Excellent question! I don't watch TV either, so I have no idea...Bob Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12073807225519106277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-22814646022046882822010-10-11T14:02:10.127-04:002010-10-11T14:02:10.127-04:00I am planning on running a 4e campaign in order to...<i>I am planning on running a 4e campaign in order to see what it's all about. After that, I will perhaps have a better informed opinion of the game.</i><br /><br />Yeah, I was surprised by those critical comments of yours. You should try 4e first. Like I said before, I think it's a fine game for what it is. I've played 4e with a good DM and had fun. 4e might be a good choice for you because it's easy to find players, and it also seems like you're really into minis action.Bob Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12073807225519106277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-57285823402839880522010-10-09T20:19:12.186-04:002010-10-09T20:19:12.186-04:00"I am planning on running a 4e campaign in or...<i>"I am planning on running a 4e campaign in order to see what it's all about. After that, I will perhaps have a better informed opinion of the game."</i><br /><br />This is an awesome, and frankly amazing, viewpoint. I may not have a great opinion of some of the ideas I've seen behind 4e, but have I played it before myself? Nope. I applaud your fairness!<br /><br />I do have the impression, though, that some of the things in 4E which stuck out to me in the reading as 'wtf' moments are things which can be made sense of by a good DM. I don't know about the healing system, but I read Keith Baker's blog, and he interprets the 'marking' system not as some sort of pseudo-magical WoWish aggro thing, but rather as the fighter (or whatever) actually physically intervening in the 'marked' monsters' attacks and such.<br /><br />I'll be interested to read your opinion after you try it out Christian.migellitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17106614212764056058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-7792949235683987032010-10-09T20:04:49.747-04:002010-10-09T20:04:49.747-04:00I'm back. I unloaded on 4e yesterday, but here...I'm back. I unloaded on 4e yesterday, but here's the deal. I have an opinion, but exactly one hour of experience with the system. I am planning on running a 4e campaign in order to see what it's all about. After that, I will perhaps have a better informed opinion of the game.christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09650456794111980661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-17447821393103164052010-10-09T18:24:49.359-04:002010-10-09T18:24:49.359-04:00Not to derail the conversation or anything, but wh...Not to derail the conversation or anything, but where does the actual proof that this will be used by Wotc as a TV spot come from? Has anyone seen it on TV? I don't watch TV so I don't know. It originates at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Allspark" rel="nofollow">This fansite.</a>. All the links I find via Google seem to lead back there. Is the tail wagging the dog here?Aoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00145284080419502886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-4838030193474728022010-10-09T15:42:39.460-04:002010-10-09T15:42:39.460-04:00To be perfectly honest, I think the old school fol...To be perfectly honest, I think the old school folk who are getting grumpy at this need to chill just a little. Really. WOTC isn't trying to offend you, or co opt you or anything like that... you ask who this is supposed to appeal to? IMO it's not current 4e players, or old school players its people who /aren't/ playing now, but did in the past. It's supposed to remind people who played 10 or 20 or 30 years ago but then drifted away from the hobby that it still exists. And that there is something out there that they can buy and give to their kids or new friends or whatever. <br /><br />Personally, I think 4E is as "metal" as you want to make it, just like every edition before it. It's a system with problems, just like every other system out there. And in my experience hasn't really been any slower to play than any other game I've played in the past 10 or 15 years... it's all what you make of it, really.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-23550616296881814702010-10-09T09:06:14.774-04:002010-10-09T09:06:14.774-04:00This is going to be a t.v. spot? Really? It's...This is going to be a t.v. spot? Really? It's an okay net-vid but not much of a t.v. spot. The attempt to co-opt old-school is blatant and ridiculous, are they trying to get all folks who didn't notice 3.0-3.5 to but 4E for the kiddos, who the heck is that audience?JDJarvishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07691101939920824546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-69595436388846711812010-10-09T07:57:53.804-04:002010-10-09T07:57:53.804-04:00One more question to stir the pot:
Is "Dunge...One more question to stir the pot:<br /><br />Is "Dungeons & Dragons" the rules in the book, or how the adventure at the table is perceived by the players? <br /><br />I realize this may be a forced "either/or," but you'll have to work hard to convince me so.<br /><br />I think D&D is the adventure not the rules. The rules are a common language, but every house ruling is a new dialect, isn't it? Some games are so heavily house ruled as to be in completely new languages.<br /><br />I can't help but see a frankly glaring incongruity (of which I am no less guilty, by the way) in flaming whomever the extent owner of D&D is for making something different than the original game while we whose sympathies are with older rule sets at the same wear with the greatest pride and boldness our right to make changes to the original game.<br /><br />I'm not complaining here.<br /><br />I'm just, you know, sayin'.<br /><br />Now if you'll pardon me, I have to get back to explaining why my home rules are doing away with alignment and gods for clerics. Seriously. I freaking hate alignment. Always have.Cameron Woodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06659549078009511670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-8903556540760168932010-10-09T07:51:01.193-04:002010-10-09T07:51:01.193-04:00I hope they paid Riley Swift (the Dm from Dungeon ...I hope they paid Riley Swift (the Dm from Dungeon Majesty) handsomely for this.<br /><br />It's pathetic. They won't support older editions, and yet they will use the art to confuse consumers into buying their lame excuse for D&D. Poorly done.Kiltedyaksmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03462341093016199620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-26835155595796249752010-10-09T07:39:34.950-04:002010-10-09T07:39:34.950-04:00"ROPG's"? Don't know where the O..."ROPG's"? Don't know where the O came from, unless it was my exclamation of surprise at hitting ENTER before catching my typo. Dang it.Cameron Woodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06659549078009511670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-59118533348158318992010-10-09T07:37:41.802-04:002010-10-09T07:37:41.802-04:00Apparently I'm the outlier here.
I had no id...Apparently I'm the outlier here. <br /><br />I had no idea there was an original version by Dungeon Majesty that Hasbro used. I only know that when I saw it I thought it was a clever bit of marketing. Whoever went with the idea understands that D&D can't be sold as something worth a second look to an audience already inclined to sniff its collective nose.<br /><br />This is a commercial for those who already enjoy at least a tiny degree of sympathy for ROPGs, only without the scent of "We're all hopeless dorks from the AV club!" that marked the commercials of the 80s. <br /><br />This commercial, tongue partly in cheek, says, "We're geeks, sure, but we're bad ass geeks. Roll the dice, man. We're gonna sack the Halls of Elysium tonight."<br /><br />So, I like it. As a commercial.<br /><br />As far as Dungeon Majesty goes, do we actually know Hasbro used the stuff without permission? Was there clause in the entry forms for the contest Dungeon Majesty entered where permission to use submissions was both assumed by the company and agreed to by the submitters? Such a thing is actually normal procedure for corporations. I'm inclined to think this is the case, but I can really only guess.<br /><br />Worst case scenario: if it was a strong-arm move, it was a shot across the bow to everyone else out there using images without permission. They won't sue - they'll just claim your efforts as being owned by them. Fair Use has its limits, after all, and Hasbro can afford to test them.<br /><br />Better take a second look at your blog headers, friends. Don't give 'em an opening.Cameron Woodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06659549078009511670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-34439713702862733392010-10-09T05:38:27.495-04:002010-10-09T05:38:27.495-04:00Comparing the two, I actually prefer the Dungeon M...Comparing the two, I actually prefer the Dungeon Majesty One. The second version focuses on violence and brutality, but the first one also includes humorous scenes (like the Treant) and Spelljammers :)Havard:https://www.blogger.com/profile/03672640381532559035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-21449149138937576822010-10-09T04:03:24.569-04:002010-10-09T04:03:24.569-04:00It is cheep. And odd. The ad uses images that woul...It is cheep. And odd. The ad uses images that would mostly appeal to old school gamers. But they are using it for this new push. And it's an "ad" someone else made, just edited down. It's very cheep.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00801468265072232351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-89928649076063914692010-10-09T00:40:32.556-04:002010-10-09T00:40:32.556-04:00On one hand, I think the exposure it gives to Dung...On one hand, I think the exposure it gives to Dungeon Majesty is a great thing, as well as the prominent exposure Russ's art gets. As many of us already knew, Russ's art is, and has been, among the greatest in the field, and remains as strong as ever 30 years along.<br /><br />On the other hand, I would like to have seen some direct recognition (perhaps a 'full version' video) on the Wiz website. It would also do my heart good to think that Russ saw some royalties from this, but I can only cross my fingers in that regard.migellitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17106614212764056058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-41840226279395081652010-10-09T00:18:16.630-04:002010-10-09T00:18:16.630-04:00Is that really the best that the WotC minds could ...Is that really the best that the WotC minds could come up with to market this thing? How utterly pathetic. When that sort of video a group of fans can come up with it is funny, when that is the best a company with an advertising department can do it is just ridiculous.<br /><br />Word verification: acidurs <br /><br />My reply: Yes, that LSD IS mine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-77502009216697168642010-10-08T23:46:21.377-04:002010-10-08T23:46:21.377-04:00Ah, this explains why this thing seemed so familia...Ah, this explains why this thing seemed so familiar. Still, "ripped off" seems a bit strong considering they entered it in a WotC contest.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14530179506824150455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-82448635011624789302010-10-08T22:52:11.487-04:002010-10-08T22:52:11.487-04:00It's not so much about IP. Long time Dnd'...It's not so much about IP. Long time Dnd'ers don't need acknowledgment from wotc, but if you're selling vintage wine with a vintage label perhaps you shouldn't bottle the vinegar with the same label.<br /><br />If you want to sell vintage wine open up the cellar.Cimmerianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11613839760282695583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-72400683152048755172010-10-08T21:54:02.818-04:002010-10-08T21:54:02.818-04:00@ Christian -- I started with 3e, and now I play S...@ Christian -- I started with 3e, and now I play S&W, so apparently it's not completely impossible.<br /><br />The big problem I think is that if they want something that's metal and awesome, and they don't find it in that red box, they'll give up.<br /><br />But I guess I didn't... so we'll see.Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10745062840676790649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-75412996836982499552010-10-08T21:22:45.667-04:002010-10-08T21:22:45.667-04:004e is not metal. It's not old school. It's...4e is not metal. It's not old school. It's a slow playing, clumsy version of WoW.<br /><br />Still....<br /><br />I hope WotC sells a ton of those stupid red boxes to bring some gamers into the hobby. Maybe we can take a few and teach them how to play games that don't suck and still remain true to the brand's origins.christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09650456794111980661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-10353516244566783722010-10-08T21:04:17.579-04:002010-10-08T21:04:17.579-04:00oof! Betrayed by cut and paste. The sentence about...oof! Betrayed by cut and paste. The sentence about Kirby/Gygax should he right after the sentence ending with "companies."<br />Apologies.Aoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00145284080419502886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-51096212658463495782010-10-08T20:59:16.879-04:002010-10-08T20:59:16.879-04:00Sorry, the deleted comment was poorly organized an...Sorry, the deleted comment was poorly organized and unclear. hopefully this one is not. <br /><br />Well, TSR era D&D definitely had its influences, too. It grew from miniatures war gaming, after all and Hobbits didn't come from a vacuum, neither did Vancian magic.<br /><br />Regardless, I tend to think of creativity in terms of individuals as opposed to companies.<br />As far as what WoTC calls their game- I just don't care. It has no impact on any of us that we don't allow it to. Kirby was creative, not Marvel, Gygax was creative not TSR, for example.<br /><br />Truthfully, I find the way TSR treated the original creators of the game way, way ,way, way more shameful than anything WoTC has done.Aoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00145284080419502886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-6440720376075103952010-10-08T20:19:48.459-04:002010-10-08T20:19:48.459-04:00The guys submitted the video to WoTC. WoTC owns th...<i>The guys submitted the video to WoTC. WoTC owns the artwork.</i><br /><br />True. But my point is not a legal one, it is a creative one. WotC owns, but did not create, any of this material. They are using it to misrepresent their new Red Box gaming product. I'm not mad or anything. This is normal in the business world. I just think it's pathetic.<br /><br /><i>I'm confused to on the "WoTC" copies stuff and follows trends line of thought as well.</i><br /><br />This could be a topic for a whole other post. But yeah, look at WotC's releases for the last couple years. New editions, versions, and releases of old stuff. They seem to be creatively bankrupt. Aesthetically they bounce between WoW and anime. TSR used to DEFINE the aesthetic of fantasy gaming. WotC follows it.<br /><br /><i>Isn't the chief complaint about 4e is that it's not enough like real D&D?</i><br /><br />I've never spoken up on this topic. I think 4e is a great game for what it is. It's probably the best and most creative thing WotC has made (except for Magic and RoboRally). I do not like that (1) Hasbro calls it "Dungeons & Dragons", and (2) Hasbro pulled pdf sales of D&D. I deeply appreciate the OGL, however.Bob Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12073807225519106277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2005132770907882258.post-36957304420735453522010-10-08T19:55:50.050-04:002010-10-08T19:55:50.050-04:00If anyone's getting screwed here it's Russ...If anyone's getting screwed here it's Russ Nicholson. Otherwise ... old school gamers should know 4e is not old school and anyone else, hey, welcome to the bughouse.Roger G-Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08594440701279968693noreply@blogger.com