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Post by greyharp on Nov 15, 2008 6:07:57 GMT -6
I found this blog today and it was an enjoyable read. According to his first entry, he's a 25 year old who has been playing 3e for around 5 years. He bought himself the 0e pdfs, sought advice (which included being told of this site) and then got a couple of mates and played his first game of OD&D. I found it very interesting, and at times amusing, to read his thoughts about various aspects of 0e. He and his friends had a great time and he was positive about the experience. It's a long post, but well worth the read. |
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Post by jeffb on Nov 15, 2008 8:18:52 GMT -6
Thanks for the link. Definitely a good read- I know for myself that coming back to OD&D from playing 4E recently is a bit of system shock-some things just don't make any sense taken at face value in OD&D. But I grew up playing the LBBs so I knew what to expect whereas that fellow and his group learned the hard way ;D Perhaps someone should mention to him to pick up a copy of S&W , as it will help him with the poor organization inherent to the LBBs. I think the seed has been planted with that group- The DM spoke of moments where he "got it", and I think that is key. I'm amazed at how many people just can't enjoy a game unless they are overburdened with rules, options, and books for every topic under the sun. Even WOTC figured that out to a certain extent-4E is far more streamlined than 3E and has put the power back in the DM's hands (of course it's still far more detailed than OD&D, but I digress). Bottom line-I don't like to work when I'm prepping/running/playing a *GAME*. I like to have fun (go figure  ) |
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Post by Finarvyn on Nov 15, 2008 9:52:34 GMT -6
What I find most amusing is the stories of later-edition players who are looking through the rulebooks trying to find a rule that they just know is in there, when often it turns out that it's not. OD&D was certainly designed to be a rules-lite environment, and that takes some getting-used-to time for many gamers.
I'm just the opposite. I see a slick new rulebook, look at the size, and whine "I have to read all of that?" :-)
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Post by dwayanu on Nov 15, 2008 12:34:49 GMT -6
That response to the 1st ed. DMG may have been part of why I kept running OD&D (more or less) even as I took to playing PCs in AD&D. When I broached the subject of OD&D in a group of 4E players, the older fellows (including one who says he played proto-D&D back in 1968) instantly dismissed it on a "would be a drag to learn new rules" rationale  . An elementary-schooler (who seems to have 4E pretty much memorized, down to the latest updates), recognized that there are fewer rules to learn, "so it's easier, right?" -- which seemed value neutral. I'm thinking it might be best to spring it on 'em, in the sense of just rolling up a character and getting into an adventure -- while the 4E game (an RPGA event) is still sorting out preliminaries. The ease of improvisation is one asset of rules-lightness. "Samuel Von Sam II" in the blog account brought back memories! Learning not to get too attached to a first-level playing piece is important. |
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Post by greyharp on Nov 15, 2008 13:31:16 GMT -6
What I find most amusing is the stories of later-edition players who are looking through the rulebooks trying to find a rule that they just know is in there, when often it turns out that it's not. Yes, that is one of the things I found the funniest. I've read a lot of stuff on forums about young gamers and their attitudes towards old school games. It was good to see that come straight from the horse's mouth, as I've never known how much of it was true and how much was just a case of we old farts moaning about "us and them". I think the seed has been planted with that group- The DM spoke of moments where he "got it", and I think that is key. Definitely. And that is what for me made reading this account so enjoyable. |
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Post by Finarvyn on Nov 15, 2008 14:24:27 GMT -6
the older fellows (including one who says he played proto-D&D back in 1968) instantly dismissed it on a "would be a drag to learn new rules" rationale 1. Proto-D&D back in 1968? Is this guy serious? He must be the guy to taught the game to Gary and Dave.  2. If this guy did play some form of D&D in 1968, then he wouldn't have to learn "new" rules then, would he? I think somebody is trying to "Baron Manchausen" you with that one. ;D |
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Post by dwayanu on Nov 15, 2008 15:22:10 GMT -6
That was my first guess -- but considering the state of my own memory for dates suggests a more charitable interpretation.
What gets me is that I was still getting my head around 2E when I found out that 3E was "where it's at." These guys have gone through both of those and are now immersed in the intricacies of 4E. Learning new rules doesn't seem to me really a big problem for them.
Maybe they've just forgotten what the kid grasped at first glance!
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. An elementary-schooler (who seems to have 4E pretty much memorized, down to the latest updates), recognized that there are fewer rules to learn, "so it's easier, right?" -- which seemed value neutral.