Don't even think about making a D&D game anymore!

Kevin G · 2006-12-06T11:22:30

I've played a fair number of D&D based games over the years, but I have to say that the system doesn't translate well enough into a computer game. Developers are forced to make modifications to the game system and forced to model their characters after the ugly monster manual pictures. The end product is an ugly, bug filled, game with a poorly implemented D&D rules set. Take a look at NWN2 for example. The game is so far behind the times in terms of modern game engines (no jumping, swimming, climbing, flying, horses, etc...) Sure the graphics look good but the game is slow and you basically need a personal Cray just to play it. The multiplayer aspect of this version is basically useless. DDO – this game only comes close to feeling like D&D. It doesn’t actually do a good job of it. ToEE this game was full of bugs. It was a good game (if you had installed all the aftermarket patches), but it used a turn based system for combat. No multiplayer. Why make a D&D game when you know: 1. You are going to be forced to make modifications to the game system 2. You will be told how your artwork should look from Wizards of the coast 3. Atari will rip you off and screw the marketing of it. 4. Most people who don’t understand D&D will be confused by the rules. 5. The rules are not balanced enough for online play (MMO) 6. The development cycle is way too long 7. Way too many bugs to deal with because the rules are full of exceptions and odd situations. Don’t get me wrong I would love to see a developer actually get it right for once. But to this very day they have NOT. They would most likely have to spend 4-5 years on the project and no one has that kind of time anymore. The D&D license issue is another problem. Perhaps if wizards opened the game up a bit and didn’t just give the sole authority to Atari there would actually be some good D&D based games. Oh well as long as that stupid company has the license this situation will continue.