The Inside Scoop on Gaming

Several months later than I had originally desired here is my second review of the D&D 3rd edition web site. I apologize for the vast wait (my first review was September of last year) but I doubt that any of you have really been waiting for this. Maybe out of a general sense of curiousity.

Originally, I had planned to do quarterly updates of the site and its contents, but frankly, my previous review holds true through the current day. While a great deal of new information on various aspects of the game has been unleashed through the site, none of it has been presented in such a fashion as to raise any eyebrows. The ongoing analysis of various 3E creator's thoughts about the project are interesting to see, the preview art is a bunch of fun, updated spells and monsters have trickled in, and the playtester group of the month is highlighted and their impact on the game can be seen by way of examples (The group says "You should change rule X 'cuz it don't make too much sense." and the designers respond with an "Okay, here's how we incorporated your suggestions in the new rule X+1."). This insight into the evolution of 3E should have a great deal of interest for most gamers, despite the fact that John Wick's column of Gaming Outpost dealing with the evolution of Orkworld is a more intimate attempt to convey the same desired result. That result being a first hand account of the design of a role-playing game.

The 3E site is obviously intended for the already existing gaming and web-surfing market. Newcomers to the hobby may visit (how or why they would is a good question) and find their way around easily enough. I had my 12 year old brother-in-law give it a shot and he enjoyed the pictures and had many questions concerning the game itself, but made me play Pokemon for my research efforts. I could have shown him old rulebooks and reached the same conclusion: he'll play if I teach him (which I will). Maybe instead of developing a web site the nice folks at WotC should invade schools and offer to teach the young 'uns how to play. Kids'll do anything a grown up they respect and look up to offers to do with them, much less learn to play a game.

Anyway, all that aside, I cannot help but feel a slight disappointment concerning the web presence of 3E, especially with its proximity to Pokemon and the potential for curious little fingers to double-click their curious little mice. I hope that, in the final few months leading up to the release of 3E, there is an attempt to garner positive national attention to the product and therefore the industry. Perhaps a packaged Star Wars/D&D marketing push.

Unless anyone can think of a good theme with which to tackle this subject again (if you think of one please contact me) I probably will refrain from revisiting the subject. Now I can concentrate on reading Paranormal Magick for UA and Star Crusades for Fading Suns and reviewing those.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 3 (Average)

Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition Internet Preview Site
Author: various Category: Internet Preview Site Company/Publisher: WotC/Hasbro Line: D&D Cost: N/A Page count: N/A ISBN: N/A SKU: N/A Capsule Review by Steve Pickios on 03/16/00. Genre tags: Fantasy	Several months later than I had originally desired here is my second review of the D&D 3rd edition web site. I apologize for the vast wait (my first review was September of last year) but I doubt that any of you have really been waiting for this. Maybe out of a general sense of curiousity. Originally, I had planned to do quarterly updates of the site and its contents, but frankly, my previous review holds true through the current day. While a great deal of new information on various aspects of the game has been unleashed through the site, none of it has been presented in such a fashion as to raise any eyebrows. The ongoing analysis of various 3E creator's thoughts about the project are interesting to see, the preview art is a bunch of fun, updated spells and monsters have trickled in, and the playtester group of the month is highlighted and their impact on the game can be seen by way of examples (The group says "You should change rule X 'cuz it don't make too much sense." and the designers respond with an "Okay, here's how we incorporated your suggestions in the new rule X+1."). This insight into the evolution of 3E should have a great deal of interest for most gamers, despite the fact that John Wick's column of Gaming Outpost dealing with the evolution of Orkworld is a more intimate attempt to convey the same desired result. That result being a first hand account of the design of a role-playing game. The 3E site is obviously intended for the already existing gaming and web-surfing market. Newcomers to the hobby may visit (how or why they would is a good question) and find their way around easily enough. I had my 12 year old brother-in-law give it a shot and he enjoyed the pictures and had many questions concerning the game itself, but made me play Pokemon for my research efforts. I could have shown him old rulebooks and reached the same conclusion: he'll play if I teach him (which I will). Maybe instead of developing a web site the nice folks at WotC should invade schools and offer to teach the young 'uns how to play. Kids'll do anything a grown up they respect and look up to offers to do with them, much less learn to play a game. Anyway, all that aside, I cannot help but feel a slight disappointment concerning the web presence of 3E, especially with its proximity to Pokemon and the potential for curious little fingers to double-click their curious little mice. I hope that, in the final few months leading up to the release of 3E, there is an attempt to garner positive national attention to the product and therefore the industry. Perhaps a packaged Star Wars/D&D marketing push. Unless anyone can think of a good theme with which to tackle this subject again (if you think of one please contact me) I probably will refrain from revisiting the subject. Now I can concentrate on reading Paranormal Magick for UA and Star Crusades for Fading Suns and reviewing those. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 3 (Average)

Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition Internet Preview Site