Even though every issue of Dungeon magazine advertises that their adventures can be played in the RPGA for RPGA points, the RPGA has consistantly allowed these adventures to lapse.
As of now, you cannot schedule any RPGA games using Dungeon adventures. This is at least the second time this past year this has happened (and I think it was the 3rd). The last issue they have available is #135.
Creative Director
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Even though every issue of Dungeon magazine advertises that their adventures can be played in the RPGA for RPGA points, the RPGA has consistantly allowed these adventures to lapse.
As of now, you cannot schedule any RPGA games using Dungeon adventures. This is at least the second time this past year this has happened (and I think it was the 3rd). The last issue they have available is #135.
This being the middle of the weekend, there's nothing I can do about this now. I'll see what I can do to get them to update things on Monday.
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Perhaps you could explain to me why there is such a short window of opportunity to run "Dungeon" adventures and earn points? I bought the magazine in good faith. What differennce does it make to RPGA whether we run a game out of the latest edition of "Dungeon" next month or next year?
My group just started playing "The Whispering Cairn" a couple of months ago, and everyone is eagerly anticipating the unfolding of the entire adventure path. Obviously no one in my group will be able to earn points for at least a couple of years.
The Savage Tide AP looks great too. However, unless we quit AOW and begin running the new AP when it comes out a couple of months from now, we'll get no points for that either.
Many DMs (myself included) love the downloadable extras that are available for each of the adventures published in the magazine. They add so much to the playing of the games that most DMs will wait the month or two (or more) that it takes for Paizo to make them available. However, any DMs who wait for the downloads will of course be unable to earn RPGA points for the running of the adventures in "Dungeon."
So what is the point of offering these RPGA points, if so few people will be able to acquire them? I don't get it. Perhaps someone can enlighten me.
After participating in the Living Greyhawk and Living Force campaigns, my experience is that maintaining online material (particularly modules) is a low priority for RPGA. Evidently it's beside the point that everything for which they are responsible is online.
Living Force was particulary bad, where RPGA/WotC refused to ever get around to posting quite a few mods.
The bottom line seems to be that RPGA doesn't just fail to support Dungeon, they don't support anyone or anything in a conscientous manner. Maybe they're understaffed, maybe WotC doesn't care what they do, maybe mind flayers dine often at their office; in any case, the support we get as RPGA members is lackluster at best.
A little mean-spirited of me, but my experience has been very negative.
So what is the point of offering these RPGA points, if so few people will be able to acquire them?
Perhaps that's the point -- make us feel we're getting something when we really aren't :/
I personally have never joined the rpga, but always wondered if I should. I did play in one game at a con (pre D20) and had a cahracter in whatever was going on at the time. It was around 96 I believe. wow 10 years geez!!
anywho, what are the benifits, from people who are part of it?
I personally have never joined the rpga, but always wondered if I should. I did play in one game at a con (pre D20) and had a cahracter in whatever was going on at the time. It was around 96 I believe. wow 10 years geez!!
anywho, what are the benifits, from people who are part of it?
Obviously, the greatest benefit of RPGA campaigns is the portability of characters from one table to another. For people who don't have a regular gaming group in their area, or can't commit the time to a regular home campaign, being able to take your character to a con and find a game is nice.
Other than that, playing in the Living campaigns is a great way to meet other gamers. Since we started a Friday night Living Greyhawk game weekly at a local shop, I've met a bunch of gamers that I wouldn't mind inviting to my next home game when we have the space.
Personally, I like the concept of the RPGA, but the implementation isn't that great. From a slow and buggy database, non-existant customer service, and a real problem with quality-control in certain modules, the RPGA is in no danger of replacing my home games in priority. I play basically because it lets me get some time in on the players' side of the table. In my gaming group, I'm the only one with time to DM. I've run a couple games at the local shop to help promote the hobby in general, but when I find I don't have enough free time to do both, I'll drop the RPGA gaming before my home games.
anywho, what are the benifits, from people who are part of it?
From a completely materialistic POV, when you DM adventures (and are signed up for RPGA rewards) you get 3 campaign cards and a repainted D&D miniatures for every 20 pts. you earn (1 pt. for a home game, 2 pts. for a Dungeon adventure, 4 pts. for a Mark of Heroes or Xen'drik adventure). Mostly for doing paperwork for the campaign and following the RPGA rules (admittedly, many find them very restrictive, especially for a home game).
From a social standpoint, you get to meet a lot of new players at RPGA events and play in a wide variety of adventures.
Perhaps you could explain to me why there is such a short window of opportunity to run "Dungeon" adventures and earn points? I bought the magazine in good faith. What differennce does it make to RPGA whether we run a game out of the latest edition of "Dungeon" next month or next year?
My group just started playing "The Whispering Cairn" a couple of months ago, and everyone is eagerly anticipating the unfolding of the entire adventure path. Obviously no one in my group will be able to earn points for at least a couple of years.
The Savage Tide AP looks great too. However, unless we quit AOW and begin running the new AP when it comes out a couple of months from now, we'll get no points for that either.
Many DMs (myself included) love the downloadable extras that are available for each of the adventures published in the magazine. They add so much to the playing of the games that most DMs will wait the month or two (or more) that it takes for Paizo to make them available. However, any DMs who wait for the downloads will of course be unable to earn RPGA points for the running of the adventures in "Dungeon."
So what is the point of offering these RPGA points, if so few people will be able to acquire them? I don't get it. Perhaps someone can enlighten me.
I've had similar concerns and thoughts.
Don't Living Greyhawk core (and other RPGA) adventures have a "shelf life" of a year? Why should Dungeon adventures be any different?
I'll note that it's been a week and the most recent issue up on the RPGA site is still #135. The last day you could schedule a session using that adventure is Monday, and you need to schedule sessions 2 weeks in advance (it used to be shorter for home games, but the system has been enforcing 2 weeks recently).
Given we are on 138, that's 3 missing issues from the database (admittedly, I'm still waiting on my copy of 138, probably Monday).
While extending the time on the adventures would be better, I'm not sure that would help much. Checking back I've confirmed this is the 3rd time in the past year that there have been no Dungeon adventures available to sign up for. The RPGA clearly is not committed to supporting this. They catch up the adventures briefly, and then just ignore it for months at a time.
You know, I hate to say it, but it might almost makes sense to turn the RPGA back into a "subscription" type membership again, and actually use some of those resources to makes sure the organization can do some more follow through on their promises, though I doubt this will happen, since they have largely turned a lot of the tournament tracking of various games over to the RPGA.
You know, I hate to say it, but it might almost makes sense to turn the RPGA back into a "subscription" type membership again, and actually use some of those resources to makes sure the organization can do some more follow through on their promises, though I doubt this will happen, since they have largely turned a lot of the tournament tracking of various games over to the RPGA.
Who would buy it with the current reputation of the RPGA?
I'll note it's been almost another week and still no update.