d&d meets chick-lit?

kregmosier · September 18, 2007, 09:57:11 AM

Link to said Utube?

Quote from: grubmanAt first I thought this might be interesting reading...but, after watching the Utube interview I'm not real impressed. The Author talking sounds like any average (man or woman) inexperienced gamer high on something new. I think a similar book by someone like my sister (who has been playing for 25+ years) would have been a lot more interesting.

Not reading the book, I can't say for sure, but, listening to her talking about the game doesn't impress me much as far as the book being interesting reading material.

So, my uneducated opinion (not having read the book) is that WotC plan isn't really to get women involved in the game, but rather to target 15 year old boys (once again) who see the hot cartoon girl on the cover and see the words "D&D" and "Girl" on the same book cover and buy it thinking they will have some new tool for understanding the fairer sex.

Mcrow · September 18, 2007, 10:05:22 AM

Sounds like it's a good idea. I'm all for recruitting more gamers, no matter what sex they are. Just so the book doesn't talk down and accuarately depicts gaming.

Ian Absentia · September 18, 2007, 10:43:53 AM

Quote from: grubmanAt first I thought this might be interesting reading...but, after watching the Utube interview I'm not real impressed. The Author talking sounds like any average (man or woman) inexperienced gamer high on something new. I think a similar book by someone like my sister (who has been playing for 25+ years) would have been a lot more interesting.

To someone who's been in the hobby for years already, yes, but I don't think you're really the audience this book is after. I'd like to see both books on the shelf.

All that said, the proof is in the pudding, or the reading. The fact that it addresses an appealing topic doesn't mean it wins instant accolades. Like beeber, I'll try picking up a copy toward the weekend and give it a read.

!i!

RPGPundit · September 18, 2007, 10:55:49 AM

I think its a really great idea, if what it consists of is a woman writing from her experience about why she likes D&D as it is, and encouraging others to check it out.

It'll be a hardy rejoinder to those occasional forgish swine-efforts to say "We have to TOTALLY CHANGE gaming so that we can slightly increase our appeal to women, maybe! Because we think we know what they want, but we're not sure!"

If the book is of a woman saying "I dig D&D, its cool, check it out", that's just what we need.

RPGPundit

Ian Absentia · September 18, 2007, 12:52:49 PM

Uh, yeah dude. Whatever. You realise that what she means by "D&D" is a generic term for "roleplaying", right?* To the average, uninitiated person on the street the words "roleplaying" and "storytelling" are pretty much coincident, if not synonymous, and not a rallying cry in your imaginary war.

!i!

[*Edit: Upon closer examination and attention to the extended title of the book, I may find myself retracting this statement.]

Abyssal Maw · September 18, 2007, 01:03:49 PM

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaUh, yeah dude. Whatever. You realise that what she means by "D&D" is a generic term for "roleplaying", right? To the average, uninitiated person on the street the words "roleplaying" and "storytelling" are pretty much coincident, if not synonymous, and not a rallying cry in your imaginary war.

!i!

This book was put out by Wizards of the Coast and she is talking specifically about her experiences playing D&D. Although, sure, it could be applied to all roleplaying games in a general way.

Ian Absentia · September 18, 2007, 01:28:08 PM

That's the funny thing about the term "D&D". It's like "jell-o" and "kleenex" and "crescent" wrenches -- a specific brand name that's become synonymous with a broader product. One more thing that'll be interesting to see in reading the book itself -- whether it's promoting RPGs as a whole, or D&D specifically.

!i!

Aos · September 18, 2007, 02:09:06 PM

Quote from: Abyssal MawThis book was put out by Wizards of the Coast and she is talking specifically about her experiences playing D&D. Although, sure, it could be applied to all roleplaying games in a general way.

according to the pic on amazon it also has A D&D logo on it, and according to the publishers description it includes a section on how to make up your own D&D character.

Ian Absentia · September 18, 2007, 02:17:34 PM

Ah. That's kind of a shame, really. Completely understandable from WotC's marketing point of view, but a bit of a missed opportunity for the hobby as a whole. Rather underscores that whole question of whether or not the claim that "D&D™ IS the hobby!" is true, or at least a practical reality.

!i!

jhkim · September 18, 2007, 02:31:39 PM

Incidentally, there is a sub-forum related to the book on the WotC boards:

"Astrid's Parlor"

It's inspired by the book and exists to talk about gender issues, and offer support to female players. It's technically a sub-forum of the D&D 4th Edition HQ, and there is a bunch of talk about suggestions for the next edition -- often about the artwork and presentation, but occaisionally also about rules like race options, social conflict rules, and so forth.

jgants · September 18, 2007, 03:07:27 PM

You know what WotC should put out that would sell like hotcakes? A calendar that uses pictures of scantily-clad female gamers.

What?

beeber · September 18, 2007, 04:04:26 PM

Quote from: jgantsYou know what WotC should put out that would sell like hotcakes? A calendar that uses pictures of scantily-clad female gamers.

What?

and chainmail bikini minis!

:haw:

Caesar Slaad · September 19, 2007, 07:58:34 AM

Quote from: jgantsYou know what WotC should put out that would sell like hotcakes? A calendar that uses pictures of scantily-clad female gamers.

Yeah, because the one that White Wolf did was so great... :emot-geno:

Christmas Ape · September 19, 2007, 08:31:46 AM

Quote from: Caesar SlaadYeah, because the one that White Wolf did was so great... :emot-geno:

:raise:

joewolz · September 19, 2007, 08:37:26 AM

Quote from: Caesar SlaadYeah, because the one that White Wolf did was so great... :emot-geno:

:haw:

I forgot all about that!