Found this over on ENWorld. Podcast!
I haven't listened to it myself (I can't stand podcasts, but from the same thread (findable here) I gather this:
...Here are the highlights:
Sara Girard said "4.0"...
With rituals being separated from combat powers, no one has to choose between "Water Breathing" and "Fireball" (they can have both)
Buy/Collect as many rituals as you would like. Using a ritual (which seems to include Water Breathing and Prestidigitation) does not infringe on your combat powers.
Girard thinks that minis are "not required," and for her RP is easier in 4e
Detect Magic is now part of the Arcana skill (but it can only be used if Trained in the skill)
No plans to expand gameplay beyond 30th level (no serious discussion at all, as it takes the game out of the "D&D frame"
Higher level powers replace older powers, and powers do not get too numerous or sucky
Multi-Role classes are possible, but none are made yet
"Multiclassing is still in," and using multiple roles through this is possible
Monster Role names are only an "overarching guideline;" Creature and encounter customization is awesome in 4e
No more monster HD or Level Adjustments! Hooray! (We already knew this, but I am so happy!)
Rules for creating monsters, traps, and races in DMG
Law and Chaos are in, but "in a different way." No mechanical effects of Alignment, but there are "story benefits."
"There are rules for organizations, but how we handle that is something we will talk about a little ways down the road."
Unaligned means you haven't even picked a side. "Neutral" implies being aligned in the middle.
No detecting alignment through magic (we knew this, though)
"Paladin Code" is fluff
The god of cake is a lie
Divine "Portfolio grouping" allows for Exarch "demigods," living beings with divine dominion over an aspect of a portfolio that players could become or beat up (at high levels)
Angels are officially "servants of the gods," which could be good or evil, and Archons are now elementals (which we did know, but it is nice to emphasize the point)
Designers think that most complaints about 4e mechanics are due to misinterpretations or not seeing the full spectrum of the situation
"Something bad about 4e:" It does not appeal to people who do not have the same "play style" as the creators and people in the office (and the people they are designing with in mind), but D&D is (in the opinion of designers) adaptable for anybody to play their own way.
Found this over on ENWorld. Podcast!
I haven't listened to it myself (I can't stand podcasts, but from the same thread (findable here) I gather this:
...Here are the highlights:
Sara Girard said "4.0"...
With rituals being separated from combat powers, no one has to choose between "Water Breathing" and "Fireball" (they can have both)
Buy/Collect as many rituals as you would like. Using a ritual (which seems to include Water Breathing and Prestidigitation) does not infringe on your combat powers.
Girard thinks that minis are "not required," and for her RP is easier in 4e
Detect Magic is now part of the Arcana skill (but it can only be used if Trained in the skill)
No plans to expand gameplay beyond 30th level (no serious discussion at all, as it takes the game out of the "D&D frame"
Higher level powers replace older powers, and powers do not get too numerous or sucky
Multi-Role classes are possible, but none are made yet
"Multiclassing is still in," and using multiple roles through this is possible
Monster Role names are only an "overarching guideline;" Creature and encounter customization is awesome in 4e
No more monster HD or Level Adjustments! Hooray! (We already knew this, but I am so happy!)
Rules for creating monsters, traps, and races in DMG
Law and Chaos are in, but "in a different way." No mechanical effects of Alignment, but there are "story benefits."
"There are rules for organizations, but how we handle that is something we will talk about a little ways down the road."
Unaligned means you haven't even picked a side. "Neutral" implies being aligned in the middle.
No detecting alignment through magic (we knew this, though)
"Paladin Code" is fluff
The god of cake is a lie
Divine "Portfolio grouping" allows for Exarch "demigods," living beings with divine dominion over an aspect of a portfolio that players could become or...David,
First off I want to thank you for rounding this up. Although I've not been on the board very long... well, this website's messageboards I've got alot of respect for you and your efforts to keep a nice, moderate tone to things. Therefore, my following criticisms are purely on the material provided and nothing against you.Okay, now for the Hallucitor After Midnight Gripe Session....
>>>Higher level powers replace older powers, and powers do not get too numerous or sucky
...Why, oh why do I keep thinking this powers system reminds me too much of a paper and dice adaptation of Diablo II.... and why, oh why, do they keep trying to prove that to me!?!>>>That thing at the end about the game appealing to people at the office and the players they have in mind.....
I honestly hope this is not something actually said by a WotC representative. If so, I really hope for their sake that the people in the office plan to buy ALOT of book copies if not many "customers in mind" truly share their same vision.
In response to your final 2 sentences: I think it's a very interesting experiment, really. It seems that WotC went out of their way to produce the best game that they could from THEIR perspective and no free passes to any sacred cows if those bovines got in the way.
I remember reading somewhere that one of 3E's designers (I think Monte, but am not sure so don't quote me) suggested that they could have gone much further in their design of 3E than they had originally thought. Some sacred cows were left in place for fear of making the game too different when the designers may have thought that the game would be better off without them. He said that the gaming community could withstand more change than most people thought. I'm sure I'm not remembering exactly, but I THINK that was the gist of it.
So 4E looks like they took that to heart. I think they made the game that they really would like to play themselves and did the best job they could ... from their perspective. Stands to reason that they think it's awesome if it's the game they really wanted to make and not half the game they wanted and half the game they thought they had to do for tradition's sake.
So, if this is true, 4E is a good test of whether or not designing in such a way is effective. When writing fiction, beginners are often told to write what they would like to read, and not what they think will "sell". Does this rule hold water when it comes to game design? I have no idea, but I think we're all going to find out with 4E.
Disclaimer: I don't know if this is how they designed things, just a thought based on my own observations. I have no secret knowledge. I think it could be true, but it's only my opinion. And, if it is, I think it's a very interesting strategy. I'm curious how it works out.
Thanks Hal(lucy)! I believe you're right, Rogue, as to the general gist of Monte's quote. I think I first heard that from Erik Mona somewhere out here.
I didn't really read the entire ENWorld thread, so I don't know exactly who is saying what (and again, I can't stand podcasts) but I *think* the Girard person is in marketing at WotC ...
Hey...that's my podcast. :-)
For what it's worth I have more interviews coming out with Scott Rouse and Chris Youngs, James Wyatt, Ed Greenwood, and Mike Lescault and Blue.
My reporter, Geoffrey D. Winn, did a fantastic job at DDXP and these all sound really good.
Hey...that's my podcast. :-)
For what it's worth I have more interviews coming out with Scott Rouse and Chris Youngs, James Wyatt, Ed Greenwood, and Mike Lescault and Blue.
My reporter, Geoffrey D. Winn, did a fantastic job at DDXP and these all sound really good.
Heya Jeff! Hope you don't mind me posting it over here. Thanks for the scoops! :)
Heya Jeff! Hope you don't mind me posting it over here. Thanks for the scoops! :)
Mind? Not at all. The content is there for you guys to do whatever you will with it. Take it away...
Hey folks, that's my voice you heard giving the interview on the podcast. Thanks for listening! For what it's worth, Perkins and Girard were really great to talk to and were really patient with my amateurish interviewing skills. They really seemed like they were EXCITED about 4E, because it was something they were proud of, not just because it was something they wanted to sell. Having played a sample of 4E at the con, I'm pretty excited about it myself.
Please stay tuned for more of my interviews! Although you should really listen to the PEOPLE being interviewed and ignore my rambling, stuttering voice. :)
Hey folks, that's my voice you heard giving the interview on the podcast. Thanks for listening! For what it's worth, Perkins and Girard were really great to talk to and were really patient with my amateurish interviewing skills. They really seemed like they were EXCITED about 4E, because it was something they were proud of, not just because it was something they wanted to sell. Having played a sample of 4E at the con, I'm pretty excited about it myself.
Please stay tuned for more of my interviews! Although you should really listen to the PEOPLE being interviewed and ignore my rambling, stuttering voice. :)
Hi Geoffery (& Jeff),
Good interview! I found it helped me have a more open mind about 4th Edition. Perhaps I wasn't hitting the right interviews, but the concept of the Rituals cleared things up for me. I like how you buy rituals...
And I didn't notice your rambling or stuttering, you were fine.
To disagree with you, I do think they were marketing a little.... But they also sounded sincere. Selling something and believing in what you're selling don't have to be mutually exclusive (in fact it's a powerful combination).
I'd like you to ask about the GSL. I know they likely have nothing to do with it. Ask anyway, Please. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and the it's impacting on the hobby.