So I was thinking about D&D Encounters, and how it can really be a fun thing for those people who may not have too much time to game, and can squeeze in an encounter a week for about 2 hours or so or gaming. The problem is that WOTC limits this program to gaming stores only, on Wednesday nights at 7pm, and if you can’t make it to a game store at that time, you are basically out of luck.
So, with that in mind, my crafty little brain got ticking and I thought about a community based project similar to D&D Encounters, but not limited to Wednesday nights, nor to a gaming store. Here’s my thinking:
- A “season” worth of encounters, roughly between 10-15 encounters per.
- A team of encounter writers plan out the story arc, and each take up a few encounters to design.
- A team of PC optimizers and creators can make the Pregens. Yes, it would use pregens.
- Artists could help in creating maps and monster tokens, and exposing their work to the community at large.
- The program would live in its own blog, where the downloads would live, along with the week’s post explaining the encounter, and opening a discussion following the encounter, to discuss its weaknesses or strengths.
- A new encounter would be available for download on the same day every week.
- Play at home, play online, play whenever you can. Just play.
- Once the new encounter goes up, discussion can then begin on the previous encounter, so to not spoil those that haven’t played it yet.
The cool thing I see about this is that if many people participate, there could be tons of discussions about the encounters, and tons of eyes looking at the works of people that are passionate about creating, writing, being cartographers, or artists, or whatever else.
The next step I’ll take here is to build a small team of organizers to sort of get it off the ground, and see what happens. I’ve spoken to some already, and have an idea of who the team will be, at least of organizers, the actual encounter builders and artists will be selected later.
I think for the behind the scenes stuff, Google Wave may be a good place to start collaborating on the actual set-up of the program. Something tells me there may be a bigger audience for this than I may think, so I want to get it right.
If you’d like to follow this on twitter, I am using the #homedndenc hash tag for any tweets related to this.
Brannon
July 15, 2010
Damn. Now I have to do the whole Google Wave thing. Curse you, Technology!
newbiedm
July 15, 2010
Google Wave would be for the small team of organizers to get it off the ground, not for the program itself. The program would live on a blog somewhere.
The end users would never have to see the google wave stuff. That’s just for me and the other guys that’ll help me run this and set it up.
🙂
Brannon
July 15, 2010
Forgot to mention I am interested in the creative process. My game has died and I can hash out 4e material in a jiffy.
countingku
July 15, 2010
If you need anymore help getting this off the ground, you know where you can find me.
otarsus
July 15, 2010
Might run into copyright issues over making content available (monster blocks, character powers), but this is a fantastic idea DMs and groups everywhere could use. Even those running their own games, if they wanted to delve into something different, or take turns DMing, this would be a good resource.
Dan
July 15, 2010
We’d sponsor it.
Jason P.
July 15, 2010
Enrique – If you have the organizer slots filled, Im interested in the creative process. Let me know.
Brian Liberge
July 15, 2010
Well, like I said earlier via twitter, I think this is a great idea. I’m excited to see your call for content.
Matt Savage
July 15, 2010
Already doing an altered version of Encounters.
My group *hated* season two. After a few sessions, I had a player tell me how much they were hating it. After chapter one, I asked the rest of the group – nobody voted to continue with Dark Sun Encounters.
So, we discussed options. We already play LFR together, so we decided to do a different setting: Eberron. I’m adapting the Eberron adventure in Dungeon Magazine to be stretched out over eight sessions (we’re taking a week off for Castle Ravenloft).
On paper, it looks like it’ll work very well – and players can make their own characters (the biggest complaint I’ve heard). I have 7th level pregens and a duplicate map and set of minis ready for any potential walk-ons.
Wish us luck – we start next Wednesday.
The Opportunist
July 15, 2010
This is a fantastic idea. And you don’t have to worry about legal issues. Just tell people what to use, and where to find things, and it’s all good.
theactionpoint
July 15, 2010
I’m in if you’re looking for help. theactionpoint (at) gmail.com. Story, encounters, and editing are my specialties. Not much help on the maps front.
Mark
July 15, 2010
I can help with literally anything you need help working on. I’d like to be in this as an organizer, if possible. tincanrocketship (at) gmail.com
Seth White
July 15, 2010
This is a great idea. If you need contributors in art or writing, I’m interested.
Seth White
July 15, 2010
@otarsus, the GSL could be used and it could be treated as a standard third-party publisher that uses Wizzards’ IP. I think projects can be done that don’t violate IP. Open Design/Kobold Quarterly does that without using the GSL as I recall. Tho I’m by no means a lawyer and that’s only what I’ve heard.
hewhocutsdown
July 15, 2010
I’m not familiar with D&D, but I’d love to lurk on the planning wave. hewhocutsdown@googlewave.com
Seth White
July 15, 2010
Apologies: sethnwhite at gmail.com.
Swordgleam
July 15, 2010
I’m in. Wave address is the same as my regular email, but email/IM me first because I tend to forget to check Wave since I’m not doing anything on it right now.
I could do any of the planning, design, whatever, plus maybe make some custom generators or something.
And do you really want optimizers making the characters? Optimized characters tend to have a specific sequence of things they do that yields maximum damage. I’d rather optimize for simplicity and balance between one another if they’re going to be pregens a ton of people are expected to pick up and play.
otarsus
July 15, 2010
@Seth White, yup, GSL for 4E looks good. GSL PDF files are here http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=d20/welcome
OnlineDM
July 16, 2010
Great idea! I’m just starting an online campaign, and running something like this would make a ton of sense.
RTGoodman
July 16, 2010
I’d love to lend some aid as far as Character Creation goes. I also have some editing experience (in academia, at least), and could do once-overs of drafts if necessary. I’m signed up for Wave but have never used it. If you need to get in touch with me, hit me up at rtg0922@gmail.com (or on Twitter: @RTGoodman).
blkdrgn4e
July 16, 2010
I would so love to participate, either as guinea pig or as planner. wave addr. = blkdrgn4e
greywulf
July 16, 2010
Brilliant idea!
Workstuff is too hectic right now for me to be able to commit to participate, but count me in as a fervent supporter. I’ll gladly shout this from the rooftops for you!
Snarls-at-Fleas
July 16, 2010
Great idea. Would like to take part in it. How do you plan to choose the contributors? Maybe the blog you’ve mentioned will accept “pitches” of encounters?
ObsidianCrane
July 16, 2010
Well for me I already have dailyencounter.net and could happily turn the blog over to the process (but I might need someone to give me space for my ramblings) as part of that site I can manage the bandwidth demands no problems and also incorporate a forum easily enough. Of course I’d love to be involved in the creative process as well.
Brian Engard
July 16, 2010
This sounds like a great idea! I’d love to volunteer for encounter building duty.
Roger L. Mills
July 16, 2010
Who is your target audience? DnD Encounters is targeted (i.e., marketed) towards drawing in new players, or possibly regenerating old players, to 4E. Is this a continuation of that goal? I could see a lot of tie-ens with the release of the new red box “basic set” if you intend to move in the “Introduction to 4E” direction.
Or are you just looking to target regular (experienced) 4E players with a fresh outlet for producing and providing a set of small adventures and story arcs? There’s nothing wrong with either option, just make sure you are establishing clear goals. I do see this as a potentially excellent way to introduce my group to, say, the world of Eberron or Dark Sun, by playing a small 4-5 week story arc with pre-gen characters.
Honestly, this is where the WOTC community relations people should reach out and say if you really kick this off and produce product we will review and approve the adventures and provide a link on our web page. But I am probably getting carried away.
My $.02
boccobsblog
July 16, 2010
I think its a good idea. Sign me up. I would love to help write an encounter.
Neuroglyph
July 16, 2010
Count me in for writing encounters, designing maps, or anything else. I think this idea is awesome!
Dave
July 16, 2010
I agree with Swordgleam on the character creation. Pregens should be easy to pick up and effective, but there’s no need for them to be optimized. In my opinion, the focus should be on creating character that people can quickly learn how to play; this becomes increasingly important as you get higher in level.
Dave
July 16, 2010
I love this idea and I am absolutely excited to see what you m\guys create.
BTW: Newbie, the vision from which you carry these ideas is in total alignment with the way I think of these things.
If you need any technical help with tools, sites, etc… or any creative or other support please, let me know. I’d be glad to host a CMS to hold the data with the organizers doing the management if you want ad free hosting for free.
j-man
July 16, 2010
AWESOME! This idea rocks! I want to help design custom maps.
D&D Minion
July 16, 2010
Awesome idea, I’ve been hoping for something like this. My nearest FLGS running the official version is 200km away, so I’m out of luck with that.
71gamer
July 16, 2010
Hi, I would love to help if there’s a need, my email is oldbenway at gmail.com, I am a graphic designer by trade, I can throw everything into indesign and make PDFs very quickly, I can alos make maps, etc in Illustrator, but a weekly turnaround might mean monochrome or old school blue and white maps like Oone’s or whatever, please let me know if I can be of assistance!
SashatheNoLongerDM
July 16, 2010
I’d certainly enjoy helping in some way. I see myself as an optimizer of characters, but I’m only in possession of the PHB1, if that makes a difference. Let me know where I can help.
Patrick
July 16, 2010
This is a fantastic idea!
Crimson Overcoat
July 16, 2010
I would love to participate. I enjoy making prepackaged games, including pregens. I’ve designed, written, and run several very successful games on a large scale, including a massive LARP at Gencon. As an older gamer with work and young kids, easier games are ideal for me. I know there are tons of others out there who would appreciate something like this. My undergrad is in illustration and cg, and my best stuff has always been game related. I really want to participate.
Zachary
July 16, 2010
I still want to play classic-style D&D Organized Play in something like Rob Conley’s Majestic Wilderlands.
Good luck getting this off the ground–exciting idea!
vortimax
July 17, 2010
Wonderful idea. I’d really love to contribute to story background.
Etherrider
July 17, 2010
I always wondered why WOTC decided to take this path on D&D encounters…I mean that during the 1st series of encounters there was nothing within 120 miles of me. Now during the Dark Sun series….I have some about 75-100 miles away! WOOT! LOL. I have run tons of people in LFR stuff for years now because it was convenient at my home or one of theirs.
So I LOVE this idea!!! I wish that it didn’t have to be done by the community…but glad to see just how many others think it is a good idea.
Milambus
July 17, 2010
I’d be willing to help out with making characters.
Jeff Dougan
July 17, 2010
From something that I was at one point planning as an introduction for gaming rookies, I’ve got about 15-20 simple pregens (not quite 1 for each class), each of which plays off an archetype that ought to be familiar. Happy to share them.
Crimson Overcoat
July 18, 2010
I figured out wave. I can be reached at crimson dot overcoat at gmail dot com. I am very excited about this project.
mondaynightfights
July 19, 2010
If it is not too late, I would like to sign up to help with art, character design or any other area that needs it.
Runeskin
July 20, 2010
I will gladly help with the drawings of custom monsters, special maps or characters… I am pretty good in photoshop and GIMP…
mrfb
July 22, 2010
I’m in. I’d love to write some encounters for this or collaborate on a plotline. – @mrfb
Peter
July 29, 2010
Let me know if you need help either organizationally or DMing. My email address (peterseckler1@gmail.com) is the one I use for wave as well.
Joshua Niedzwiecki
May 16, 2013
I currently DM and play at the same time a all inclusive edition D&D homegame. I don’t see any issue with this and its a step in the right direction. I can draw maps, generate npc art, campaign arcs, and any other part of participation. I designed my homegame 5 years ago when I wanted something more that was faster both for dm and player. Its on the fly super quick to 100th lvl. I’ve been ticking out final renderings of charts and designing the webpage. Let me know.