Quote from: Pierce InverarityNot having read the book, I definitely like the cover, ditto the pseudo-Cosmo cover and the text on the WOTC site. The visuals remind me of ads for nerve.com, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

"Is your Half-Orc full of himself?" Take note, Pundy. ROFL.

I liked the pseudo-Cosmo cover too.  

I'm not sure how anyone could call that sexist.  But then, I've never understood the whole political correctness thing.

Quote from: jgantsI liked the pseudo-Cosmo cover too.  

I'm not sure how anyone could call that sexist.  But then, I've never understood the whole political correctness thing.

Well, that's to your credit. You have to be an utter fucking tool to take offense in the first place. They'll never get around to admitting what they're really pissed about.


And here it is:

It's a D&D book. That's what is pissing them off.

She wrote a play called 'Blue Malls'. Cool play on words, had to laugh. After looking at her site, I think I'll have to check out the book.

Edit: http://shellymazzanoble.com/wordpress/?page_id=7

Quote from: Abyssal MawIt's a D&D book. That's what is pissing them off.

...

Er, based on what observation?  Or is this just an assumption to support that whole imaginary war thing?

!i!

Quote from: Bradford C. WalkerSeen the Storygames crowd freak out.  Mildly amused.  Don't care if there's any effect or not.

Where did they freak out?

RPGPundit

So here's the punchline to what I posted earlier in the thread.....

 When I got to work today, a delivery had just arrived. My co-worker Noelle is already looking at one of the items from the shipment - the very book that we've been talking about.

 Her verdict ?  : "I like it!! " ...she continues "Its got recipes !! I can use at my next game!!"  She then leave , I make the purchase order and receive the shipment.  Try to make a spot for the book near our D&D section. (we only got 1 copy of it )

 Young couple in their early 20s come in shopping. Guy buys a miniature figure from the REAPER wall. I mention that we hot a bunch of new stuff today, and point out the book. She says "Where?!?"  
 I show them.....

 So yeah she bought it.  

 I sold one.

- Ed C.

Quote from: RPGPunditWhere did they freak out?

I guess he's referring to this thread on Story Games:

Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress: A Girl's Guide to D&D

That started months ago back in March when Jason Morningstar heard about and got an advanced reading copy (through librarian connections).  

Some people were concerned that they thought the press material sounded condescending, such as making D&D palatable to women by including recipes for D&D-themed snacks since women will naturally do the cooking.  (I'm describing here some reactions to the press release, not the actual book.)  Opinions on the actual book varied.  

QuoteOK, I got my hands on an advance reading copy.

It's laid out well and emulates other YA books in style, design, and tone. The ARC has no interior art, just place-holders, but it looks like it will have a fair amount, and an attractive cover. 130 or so pages, the published version will probably be a little longer. There's even a filled-out 4-page character sheet in the back.

It's got a sassy, sarcastic voice and splits evenly on teaching you "how to play" and providing context and encouragement. There are quizzes and diary entries. It's not evil but it is a marketing piece. Nowhere does it mention that other games exist, which is to be expected, and it is full of very traditional advice like this:

As Teddy describes it, roleplaying means "you listen to the Dungeon Master and decide what your character does based on his or her strengths, weaknesses, and personality. Metagaming is asking the Dungeon Master a question and watching his face to see if he's hiding anything.

...which is also to be expected. It alternates between respectful to the source material and irreverent (her character is obsessed with shopping and is always running off to pick up some Manolo Blahnik shoes, which would get old, fast in real life).

QuoteYup. I liked it. It was very, and I mean -very- tongue in cheek. The first few pages had me laughing like an idiot. It was completely and truly targeted at anyone that enjoys a good laugh. That's it. If at some point in your life, you happened to be a young girl, you'll find parts of it funnier than others will. That's it.

It reminded me of a small version of the Role Playing Gamer's Bible. Another very tongue in cheek 'game book' that I enjoy.

QuoteI just finished it and I can firmly say...meh. Lots of fluff around the basic 'how to make a D&D character'. It was very light and silly, and it might grab some folks, but they might have a very odd mix of old stereotypes and new ones. I can totally see the tongue-in-cheek factor, though.

Quote from: jhkimI guess he's referring to this thread on Story Games:

Confessions of a Part-Time Sorceress: A Girl’s Guide to D&D

That started months ago back in March when Jason Morningstar heard about and got an advanced reading copy (through librarian connections).  

Some people were concerned that they thought the press material sounded condescending, such as making D&D palatable to women by including recipes for D&D-themed snacks since women will naturally do the cooking.  (I'm describing here some reactions to the press release, not the actual book.)  Opinions on the actual book varied.

Thats a hidden thread. I'm actually referring to some LJ traffic that was fairly recent. But I bet there's some good stuff in that thread as well.

John Nephew wrote an excellent piece on gender equanimity in gaming and why it seems so difficult to achieve. It was on the same site where he posted his defense of the Arduin Grimoire as the best rpg product of all time. I can't find the site at all. It may have been a personal blog that he has taken down.

Does anyone have a link to that site?

Quote from: stu2000Does anyone have a link to that site?

No, but I'm sure as hell looking for it now!

And I'm sure as hell biting my nails as you do!

Meanwhile, that Confessions book: what it clearly has is lightness of tone. The cover, the text. Nothing heavy or heavy-handed about it. Now, that's a novelty. Nevermind WoW and all that, this is a revolution.

Hordes of NORMAL COSMO-READING WOMEN joining the hobby. The very idea. It's simply unimaginable.

Well, it's not going to happen. But it makes the whole project instantly appealing to me.

It doesn't have to be 'hordes' of women in the short-term to have a longlasting impact on the hobby.

i'll ask a borders co-worker to read it and give me her impressions.  she's a somewhat-gamer (plays WoW, buys rpg rulebooks, but doesn't play PnP, AFAIK).  she'll be a better barometer of "does it reach its intended audience" than i would be

BTW, I've google several permutations "john" "nephew" "arduin" and/or "grimoire" and come up with nothing.  I hit my own blog before finding the article we're looking for, which suggests to me that the piece in question is not available online anymore.

Quote from: Abyssal MawThats a hidden thread. I'm actually referring to some LJ traffic that was fairly recent. But I bet there's some good stuff in that thread as well.

 Ah yes, the continuing story of Storygames secret threads.  I guess we can't really ever confirm what they really think of this subject then. They say one thing in public, and another in private.

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