Editorial RPGDot doesn't know what the d20 system is

[Spazmo]

Tags: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

<a href="http://www.rpgdot.com">RPGDot</a> have posted a neat (read: hilarious) little <a href=http://www.rpgdot.com/index.php?hsaction=10053&ID=817>editorial</a> about KotOR. The author asks why the game uses D&D rules to do a Star Wars game, displaying a remarkable ignorance of the fact that both D&D and the newest Star Wars P&P game from Wizards of the Coast are both based on d20 anyhow.
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<blockquote>Of course, there is the factor of popularity. Using the already very widespread D&D rule set in a different RPG, in this case a Star Wars C-RPG, makes the original set even more popular. It’s like “look ! it uses the D&D rule set !” “what’s this ? let’s buy some core rule books to take a look at it !” . I don’t know whether brains go like this, but you cannot deny that the use of a popular rule set in a popular Science Fiction universe might ... well strenghten one another. Increase sales of both.
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I’m still not sure whether I might buy KOTOR at all. Although I’d love this game, it’s the system underlying it that makes me feel uneasy. Because normally system (rule set) and world are so closely connected to one another. As an result, to me is KOTOR not a Star Wars game, but an (A)D&D game. To me, it’s like Star Wars was just a part of the (A)D&D world.</blockquote>
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This is one of the most hilariously ridiculous things I've read since the NWN gold announcement press release.

 

[Volourn]

OMG

That's all i can say.

OMG

 

[Seven]

OMG

That's all i can say.

OMG

Finally, you express something which I agree with.

 

[Volourn]

Don't hold your breath for it happening again.

Proof: You are a handsome 9see, if you had any brains; you'd know that was false )

 

[Diogo Ribeiro]

....O M F G. :shock:

That's pretty much all i'm gonna say on the matter.

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

I think this was an editorial that someone wrote and submitted to RPGDot, which they posted. However, it was cruel of them posting it publically rather than saying, "Look, kid, you're a dumbass. Instead of posting this and embarrassing you in front of the world, I'll just delete the thing and ask you to never submit anything until you get a clue."

That said, even though the boy is ignorant, BioWare did manage to take Star Wars d20 and turn it in to D&D.

 

[undead dolphin hacker]

That's sad.

 

[Voss]

Lets not ignore the (A) D&D reference. Thats what? 3? 4? years out of date?

He expands on the setting/system thing too:

The world or universe in which the elements of an RPG take place is quite defined. We have Midgard, The Dark Eye (DSA) , (A)D&D, GURPS, Tunnels &Trolls and so on. What they all have in common, is that they all use one engine for each system and for each universe. In (A)D&D we have the Forgotten Realms, the most prominent universe for that system, but also the Greyhawk world and a few others

GURPS is tied to a campaign world? Midguard is tied to a RPG system? What?

Anyone know what this Dark Eye (DSA) thing is? Edit: I looked this up. Pretty cool looking German PnP RPG

And heh. This even gets better:

What’s a real mystery to me, is, why they hadn’t used the Official Star Wars Roleplaying Game rules. They could have used those of West End Games or the new ones by Wizards of the Coast. But why D&D ?

West End has been dead for a long time now. And wait, he's aware of the SW d20 by Wizards? What the fuck is he confused about then? Its nice to see a rant about a subject that the author knows absolutely nothing about.
Five minutes of research would've told this idiot something.

No fucking standards at all.

 

[Dhruin]

*sigh* I don't like the article but the intent (or what I *think* is the intent buried somewhere there) is valid. Should a Star Wars CRPG simply feel like D&D in space with a John Williams-inspired soundtrack?

 

[Vault Dweller]

It's a good point that was completely lost when he started talking about things he has no clue about. It's like he heard things and tries to be cool by showing that he really understands them. (A) D&D?

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

West End has been dead for a long time now.

You sure? I thought tthey released some stuff recently.

*sigh* I don't like the article but the intent (or what I *think* is the intent buried somewhere there) is valid. Should a Star Wars CRPG simply feel like D&D in space with a John Williams-inspired soundtrack?

Well, he hasn't played the game and doesn't know anything about the d20 system. If he'd done any checking on the latter and played the game, then he could actually make the point without coming off as a complete nimrod.

But yes, the game does feel like D&D even though it follows the Star Wars d20 system which Wizards of the Coast wrote. However, this is not entirely because of the d20 system itself, but more because of the locations in the game, like the ruins and tombs you have to explore, and the fact that lightsabers are just pretty swords - and everyone seems to be running around with swords.

 

[undead dolphin hacker]

Anyone know what this Dark Eye (DSA) thing is? Edit: I looked this up. Pretty cool looking German PnP RPG

I think that's what the old "Realms of Arkania" RPG series was based on. Das Schwartze Auge = DSA = German for "The Dark Eye."

 

[snoek]

Lol,that guy is a total retard.
How 'bout some research,buddy? No.

 

[Peacedog]

The pnp rules for Dark Eye (if it is the basis for the Realms of Arkania games) are pretty complex (as anyone who has played those games can tell you), and not in a good way.

Who wants to worry about whether their adventurers are wearing clean socks and undies?

 

[Dhruin]

It's a good point that was completely lost when he started talking about things he has no clue about. It's like he heard things and tries to be cool by showing that he really understands them. (A) D&D?

Yup.

 

[Sol Invictus]

This guy has shit for brains. It just goes to show what low standards RPG Dot sets for their readers.

 

[garrett]

@Exitium: I don't really think so. I will make sure that no mroe of Alrik's sorry work will ruin our otherwise excellent reputation and I want to stress out that Alrik is no team member!!!

 

[Sol Invictus]

Good to hear from you, Garrett. Keep the quality up and watch the readers stream in. You don't want the same crowd as Gamer's Hell - trust me on that.

 

[Otaku_Hanzo]

Gamer's Hell... heh.

 

[Moriendor]

Here's the guy that's partly responsible for the whole mess as I published Alrik's article at RPGDot . As Garrett said, Alrik is not a full teammember but a freelance writer who submits articles on an irregular basis.
I personally have absolutely no background in any P&P system, leave alone (A)D&D or d20, so I myself really didn't know WTF Alrik was talking about in his article. Seemed controversial but that's why the column is called "Alrik's Different Angle". I did not know the whole thing was just plain wrong.
We will make sure to review Alrik's work more thoroughly in the future prior to exposing ourselves to major embarassement like this one. Sorry, folks .

 

[Saint_Proverbius]

I was well aware that the RPGDot regulars didn't write that, but it did have a high amusement value. We love things like that, so be sure to keep Alirk handy. :D

 

[Rosh]

Seemed controversial but that's why the column is called "Alrik's Different Angle". I did not know the whole thing was just plain wrong.

Actually, it's quite fitting. I just pity the fellow since their "different angle" happens to be located at heading -,0 degrees between their thighs, apropos alongside their head.