Before the thread title gives somebody (you know who you are) convulsive fits, I should explain that by "high concept" I don't mean "surreal art" or "armchair theatre" -- what I do mean is running D&D in a way that it typically is not run (at least in my experience).

I really like generation roleplay, though D&D doesn't (and never has) provided explicit mechanical support for this kind of thing. That is, there are no rules for destiny (be they heroic or tragic), inherited genetic traits, etc. That said, I also really like D&D. A lot. So, here's what I'm contemplating. . .

I want to use run a short story arc using OD&D (1974) that culminates in the original Tomb of Horrors adventure (given the lethality of OD&D, you can pretty much guess how that will end). Consider that the first leg of the overall campaign. Expect it to take a month of actual play to complete.

Then, I'd follow up with another short story arc culminating in Return to the Tomb of Horrors using AD&D 2e. Here, PCs, though not mechanically linked to the PCs of Leg One, would represent the descendants of those PCs mentioned above. Call this the second leg of the overall campaign.

Finally, I wrap with a running of the 3.5 Tomb of Horrors, using the current edition of D&D. Again, PCs here are descendants of those from the previous leg of the campaign. Here, all that remains of the tomb is. . . well, the tomb, representing evil reborn. And, thus, the cycle is closed.

Now, the reason that I referred to this as "high concept" is because I'd essentially be using different editions of the game to represent different generations of heroes, the mechanics of each edition representing differences in the world from one time period to the next. That, so far as I know, is an atypical way to run D&D.

And it really sounds (to me anyhow) like a lot of fun.

What say you?

Sounds pretty cool.

Quote from: HaleyMy dad was a first edition thief!

Neat concept, though. I'd like to do that for guys who started out with third edition D&D...

I´m doing it backwards:
The characters will have to travel back to eons long ago, to right wrongs and save the world.

Every eon has a different incarnation of D&D as the rulesset.

Quote from: SettembriniI´m doing it backwards:
The characters will have to travel back to eons long ago, to right wrongs and save the world.

Every eon has a different incarnation of D&D as the rulesset.

Very cool! I'm happy to see that other people are milking D&D for all it's worth

Quote from: SosthenesNeat concept, though. I'd like to do that for guys who started out with third edition D&D...

Most of my regulars did (which is why I'm doing it).

Well, its not D&D as such, but I've used D20 for multigenerational campaigns now for some time. As well as many other so-called "high concept" ideas.  I think that part of what bugs me about the ideas others have about D&D is that if you listened to their claims, you'd think that 99.9998% of all gamers use D&D for nothing other than Dungeon Crawls, as though the last time they ever heard of or saw D&D being played was 1979 or so (and frankly, I doubt that a vast majority of D&D games were just dungeon crawls even back then).
Most people who I know of that play D&D (never mind D20!) have run pretty sophisticated RPG campaigns, or at least campaigns that were absolutely in no way less sophisticated than your average "Other" RPG.  That's why I utterly reject the idea that people playing Runequest or D6 or Exalted or Forge Game #265, or anything else are actually playing "more sophisticated" games, and D&D are only dungeon crawls.

RPGPundit

I really dig this idea...consider it stolen. I remember something like this being discussed on tBP but using different systems. This idea is more focused, I like the Tomb of Horrors idea...

Regards,
David R

Quote from: RPGPunditMost people who I know of that play D&D (never mind D20!) have run pretty sophisticated RPG campaigns, or at least campaigns that were absolutely in no way less sophisticated than your average "Other" RPG.  That's why I utterly reject the idea that people playing Runequest or D6 or Exalted or Forge Game #265, or anything else are actually playing "more sophisticated" games, and D&D are only dungeon crawls.

You've got to admit though, that when "some" folks talk about D&D is like they think it should only be used for dungeon crawls. (Not to derail James's thread, but just had to respond)

Regards,
David R

I think it sounds frickin' cool, wish I could play in it. Maybe to reinforce the "generational" feel an item or two could be passed down from one PC to the next within their families.... or were they not going to be making it out alive....

Quote from: SigmundI think it sounds frickin' cool, wish I could play in it. Maybe to reinforce the "generational" feel an item or two could be passed down from one PC to the next within their families.... or were they not going to be making it out alive....

The scene I'd really like to run is the one where the next generation pcs discover the bones of their .....

Regards,
David R

Quote from: David RThe scene I'd really like to run is the one where the next generation pcs discover the bones of their .....

Regards,
David R

Or maybe has to fight their undead ....

Quote from: jdrakehMost of my regulars did (which is why I'm doing it).

Do you intend to keep the generations pretty identical, i.e. the descendent of the 1E Thief is a 3.5 Rogue?

Quote from: SigmundOr maybe has to fight their undead ....

You're a bad mofo Sigmund...I dig that .

Regards,
David R

It does sund like a neat game idea.

I quibble with the terminology though. I've always thought of "high concept" in the film criticism sense, essentially a film which can be summarized in a single line.

And by that definition, almost all of my gaming, especially D&D, has fallen under that moniker.  Especially D&D, built as it is around strong, simple archetypes.