I have been thinking and reading about 4th Edition coming in a couple months.  I considered writing about all the shenanigans of such a premature release or the exploitative nature of nearly every aspect of the way they have been pimping this update.  It would nearly be accurate to say that I have barely broken in my 3.5 Handbook.  But all this is fairly self-evident to anyone following the RPG scene in the last 10 years.  This is pretty much Par for the course with Wizards.

The issue that resonated in my mind after further consideration was this ill explained but fairly hyped "Game Table" software that has been dangled just out of our reach.  I felt compelled to try and find any static info on this software from official sources, only to find out that there is little actual information out there.  The most I could drum up besides forum speculation was some youtube vids demo'ing a very early version of the system.

Even though it is early, crude, and only loosely resembling what the finished product might look like; I and any other viewer could still get a good idea of the possible potential of such a system.  As presented, it is an online format for traditional tabletop gaming.  It slightly reminds me of the original hype behind the first Neverwinter Nights, and the similar grand claims that it will be like playing a traditional RPG with a DM and players online.  I remember what that ended up being, too much work for too little fun.  Wizards might have the right idea with this product though.

This is where I am torn.  Part of me wants to see this idea executed properly and revel in the gaming experience becoming easier and more accessible  through technology.  Another part of me thinks that giving us the ease of online tabletop RPG'ing could be detrimental to some of the better aspects of the Analog game experience.

The positive aspects of such a system are obvious and don't need much explanation.  Ease of use, online play, quick game setup, and accurate/precise interaction and combat.  These are all highly appealing features to the lazy gamer in me.  Give me a quick way to get a game going without having to engage many of my brain cells.

On the other hand, these features are closely linked with what I see as poison to most of what is fun about the table top session.

The online aspect is one of the most clear hazards with the package, which is oddly the primary feature.  If I want to play an online game, I would really rather play in an immersive world with rich story and a wide selection of players to work with, namely any MMO.  When I play a Tabletop I want to play primarily to socially interact with my friends.  Face it, we as gamers don't get out often enough, and the regular D20 or GURPS session means more to us than an excuse to eat Cheeto's and roll dice.  It is a time to interact with other human beings in person, who we usually get along well with.

Now if they include a LAN or IP connect feature with the software this would slightly dissuade this concern.  But if Wizards' recent behavior is any indication, that won't happen.  They seem to want to squeeze every penny out of the consumer, and giving them an option to connect locally and not through their monthly service, would be out of character for them.  

 My second concern stems from something I noticed about the treatment of all D20 systems by Wizards regulatory body, the RPGA.  They seem to have become something of rule mongers in their attitude.  I can see why they would want to regulate their intellectual property to a degree that kept it from being exploited or defamed, but their viewpoint towards making and running games at times seems stifling.  

This isn't something that is a problem when it comes to independent play, when I run a game the books are something of a set of loose rules, if we find something we like better, we go that direction.  Now imagine a digital interface created where you can't deviate from the rules that might as well be set in stone.  No customization, no bending to improve story, no fudging to create suspense, avoid pointless player loss, and keep game play strong.  It feels like they want take the game away from the GM because they don't trust mere mortals with their precious game system. 

Even if they do build some of the subtleties from a normal game into this software and service you are still limited to what the books dictate and not what makes tabletop RPG's great, imagination and improvisation.  Say good bye to Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Cleverness.

Not that there won't still be GM's that don't hold in-person sessions any longer, but there won't be as many.  Given the option between quick, easy to set up game play and long custom-built gaming there are bound to be a fair number of current GMs or potential GMs that will go the path of least resistance.  Heck, I am even tempted.

It is my hope that I will be very wrong and they will offer LAN support and game customization to whatever degree they can pull off, but it isn't a strong hope.  These are my first impressions of what little they have shown their loyal fan base, and their recent behavior.  There is a lot of speculation out there but don't want to comment on anything that has been shown by the developers themselves.  I will write again on this subject when they release enough information to make a real assessment of the true makeup of this service.

If anyone can find real breakdown of the specs on this in the mean time, I would appreciate as much insight as possible.  Email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it