SPECIAL NOTICE
Malicious code was found on the site, which has been removed, but would have been able to access files and the database, revealing email addresses, posts, and encoded passwords (which would need to be decoded). However, there is no direct evidence that any such activity occurred. REGARDLESS, BE SURE TO CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS. And as is good practice, remember to never use the same password on more than one site. While performing housekeeping, we also decided to upgrade the forums.
This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

Shadowdark: something feels a bit off...

Started by Tasty_Wind, February 28, 2023, 09:37:30 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

GeekyBugle

Quote from: Steven Mitchell on March 23, 2023, 07:44:18 AM
Quote from: SHARK on March 23, 2023, 02:27:42 AM

I love the girl's *Hustle*! I also like boldness, and, yeah. I'm also thrilled that she took notice of WOTC's BS, and swiftly set herself up...to stomp on them, with style. Not to be overtly vulgar--and I'm definitely not simping for her--but her timing, her presentation, of *Boom*--it' a very nice "Fuck You!" to WOTC. So, I am a fan. I hope she does very well, and becomes *Hugely* successful and *rich*. I think it is great for everyone to get up like tigers and bite back at WOTC's BS.


Anything that takes a bite out of WotC and their host of smug assholes is a net plus.  Don't even care if the thing taking the bite is good or not, woke or not, or almost any other criteria you could name. And I don't just mean market share, even long term, either.  Anything that takes attention away from their D&D The Animal Farm Brought to Life edition is great.

IF she's using the OGL or the 5.1 CC By SRD she's doing the exact opposite of that.
Quote from: Rhedyn

Here is why this forum tends to be so stupid. Many people here think Joe Biden is "The Left", when he is actually Far Right and every US republican is just an idiot.

"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act."

― George Orwell

Svenhelgrim

Quote from: S'mon on March 22, 2023, 04:39:40 PM
Forbes endorses Shadowdark
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robwieland/2023/03/16/shadowdark-looks-back-at-dungeon-crawls-with-an-eye-to-the-future/amp/

Hmm...

Methinks there is some big money backing Shadowdark, and it ain't coming from gamers like you and me. 

I think I'll wait and see how this plays out.  I am curious to know who the big investors are.

Festus

Quote from: Svenhelgrim on March 23, 2023, 12:54:09 PM
Quote from: S'mon on March 22, 2023, 04:39:40 PM
Forbes endorses Shadowdark
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robwieland/2023/03/16/shadowdark-looks-back-at-dungeon-crawls-with-an-eye-to-the-future/amp/

Hmm...

Methinks there is some big money backing Shadowdark, and it ain't coming from gamers like you and me. 

I think I'll wait and see how this plays out.  I am curious to know who the big investors are.

Why? Because an RPG author creating and executing a proper business plan with competence is just beyond comprehension?
"I have a mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it."     
- Groucho Marx

Svenhelgrim

Quote from: Festus on March 23, 2023, 01:24:24 PM
Quote from: Svenhelgrim on March 23, 2023, 12:54:09 PM
Quote from: S'mon on March 22, 2023, 04:39:40 PM
Forbes endorses Shadowdark
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robwieland/2023/03/16/shadowdark-looks-back-at-dungeon-crawls-with-an-eye-to-the-future/amp/

Hmm...

Methinks there is some big money backing Shadowdark, and it ain't coming from gamers like you and me. 

I think I'll wait and see how this plays out.  I am curious to know who the big investors are.

Why? Because an RPG author creating and executing a proper business plan with competence is just beyond comprehension?

If the legacy media is pushing this product, then there is more to it than some small-time game designer just "executing a proper business plan".

You do what you want with your money.  I will wait and see what's up.

Festus

Quote from: Svenhelgrim on March 23, 2023, 01:47:45 PM
Quote from: Festus on March 23, 2023, 01:24:24 PM
Quote from: Svenhelgrim on March 23, 2023, 12:54:09 PM
Quote from: S'mon on March 22, 2023, 04:39:40 PM
Forbes endorses Shadowdark
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robwieland/2023/03/16/shadowdark-looks-back-at-dungeon-crawls-with-an-eye-to-the-future/amp/

Hmm...

Methinks there is some big money backing Shadowdark, and it ain't coming from gamers like you and me. 

I think I'll wait and see how this plays out.  I am curious to know who the big investors are.

Why? Because an RPG author creating and executing a proper business plan with competence is just beyond comprehension?

If the legacy media is pushing this product, then there is more to it than some small-time game designer just "executing a proper business plan".

You do what you want with your money.  I will wait and see what's up.

I haven't backed it. I don't like close-near-far abstract movement systems. On the fence when it comes to randomly determining level abilities. I did download the beta release months ago and ran a one-shot. Found the real time torch gimmick to not make much difference in practice. Sounds cooler than it is. IMO this is a B+ game with A+ layout, editing, clarity, production values, and marketing. And it's been years in the making.

Getting written up in Forbes Daily doesn't take money. All it takes is for a freelancer Forbes works with to decide this is something he wants to write about. And since the Shadowdark author was a newspaper journalist before becoming a game designer, she certainly knows plenty of folks like that. The person who wrote this is a "contributor" which means they are not a Forbes employee, but a freelancer. To get paid at all they have to write a minimum number of articles per month, and then it's pennies per word. This is how Forbes and similar sites can publish dozens of articles per day and never run out of content. Getting a Forbes Daily article just isn't impressive.

The only mystery here is how so many folks simply must believe there's a mystery to Shadowdark's success. It's talent, hard work, smart planning, and good/lucky timing coming together, like most success stories.
"I have a mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it."     
- Groucho Marx

Festus

Quote from: Festus on March 23, 2023, 02:04:38 PM
Quote from: Svenhelgrim on March 23, 2023, 01:47:45 PM
Quote from: Festus on March 23, 2023, 01:24:24 PM
Quote from: Svenhelgrim on March 23, 2023, 12:54:09 PM
Quote from: S'mon on March 22, 2023, 04:39:40 PM
Forbes endorses Shadowdark
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robwieland/2023/03/16/shadowdark-looks-back-at-dungeon-crawls-with-an-eye-to-the-future/amp/

Hmm...

Methinks there is some big money backing Shadowdark, and it ain't coming from gamers like you and me. 

I think I'll wait and see how this plays out.  I am curious to know who the big investors are.

Why? Because an RPG author creating and executing a proper business plan with competence is just beyond comprehension?

If the legacy media is pushing this product, then there is more to it than some small-time game designer just "executing a proper business plan".

You do what you want with your money.  I will wait and see what's up.

I haven't backed it. I don't like close-near-far abstract movement systems. On the fence when it comes to randomly determining level abilities. I did download the beta release months ago and ran a one-shot. Found the real time torch gimmick to not make much difference in practice. Sounds cooler than it is. IMO this is a B+ game with A+ layout, editing, clarity, production values, and marketing. And it's been years in the making.

Getting written up in Forbes Daily doesn't take money. All it takes is for a freelancer Forbes works with to decide this is something he wants to write about. And since the Shadowdark author was a newspaper journalist before becoming a game designer, she certainly knows plenty of folks like that. The person who wrote this is a "contributor" which means they are not a Forbes employee, but a freelancer. To get paid at all they have to write a minimum number of articles per month, and then it's pennies per word. This is how Forbes and similar sites can publish dozens of articles per day and never run out of content. Getting a Forbes Daily article just isn't impressive.

The only mystery here is how so many folks simply must believe there's a mystery to Shadowdark's success. It's talent, hard work, smart planning, and good/lucky timing coming together, like most success stories.

Here's the list of the latest Forbes Daily articles by this contributor:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robwieland/?sh=396c9852c00b

Traveler, Pathfinder Nexus, Healing Dice, some heist game called "The Score", Cypher system, Golden Vault, cyberpunk kickstarters... This is what he does. All you have to do is contact him and convince him to write about your game.

This ^^^, and not some new innovative design idea, is what separates the Shadowdark author from most would be RPG creators and players. She actually knows how the business and marketing side of being a publisher works.
"I have a mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it."     
- Groucho Marx

jhkim

Quote from: S'mon on March 22, 2023, 04:39:40 PM
Forbes endorses Shadowdark
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robwieland/2023/03/16/shadowdark-looks-back-at-dungeon-crawls-with-an-eye-to-the-future/amp/
Quote from: Svenhelgrim on March 23, 2023, 01:47:45 PM
If the legacy media is pushing this product, then there is more to it than some small-time game designer just "executing a proper business plan".

Obviously the "Forbes endorses Shadowdark" is tongue in cheek. There is a Forbes contributor who has a regular column on new RPGs. If I look at that author's articles here:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robwieland/

Over the past few weeks, Forbes has "endorsed":

- Traveller High Guard Update 2022, Robot Handbook and Sector Construction Guide
- The Score storytelling game Kickstarter
- Cyberpunk Shadowrun 6E, Subversion, and Sinless
- Cypher System adventures
- Battlelords of the 23rd Century

EDITED TO ADD: cross-posted with Festus

S'mon

Quote from: Festus on March 23, 2023, 02:04:38 PM
Getting written up in Forbes Daily doesn't take money. All it takes is for a freelancer Forbes works with to decide this is something he wants to write about. And since the Shadowdark author was a newspaper journalist before becoming a game designer, she certainly knows plenty of folks like that. The person who wrote this is a "contributor" which means they are not a Forbes employee, but a freelancer. To get paid at all they have to write a minimum number of articles per month, and then it's pennies per word. This is how Forbes and similar sites can publish dozens of articles per day and never run out of content. Getting a Forbes Daily article just isn't impressive.

Yeah, I knew that. As John Kim guessed, I just thought it was funny.  ;D
Shadowdark Wilderlands (Fridays 2pm UK/9am EST)  https://smons.blogspot.com/2024/08/shadowdark.html
Open table game on Roll20, PM me to join! Current Start Level: 1

THE_Leopold

#398
I know a contributer for Forbres, it is as others have said: Write an article , get paid per word, more hits you get a bigger return.  It makes sense to find what people are talking about in order to drive traffic so you get a cut of the ad revenue.

The sheer amount of conspiracy theory regarding the Million Dollar $uccess of Shadowdark is beyond hilarious.
NKL4Lyfe

Eirikrautha

Quote from: Festus on March 23, 2023, 02:12:07 AM
Just because you didn't see it coming doesn't mean it came out of nowhere. Things can actually exist independently of one's awareness of them.

I know, I know. Crazy talk, right?
No, just stupid.  The textbook definition of "didn't see it coming" and "from out of nowhere" is "I wasn't aware of it previously."  So you're basically arguing that the phrase doesn't mean what it clearly means.

The level of cultish support for this game (one that apparently isn't good enough for some of you to buy immediately) is approaching Star Citizen levels.  And that's not a red flag or anything...
"Testosterone levels vary widely among women, just like other secondary sex characteristics like breast size or body hair. If you eliminate anyone with elevated testosterone, it's like eliminating athletes because their boobs aren't big enough or because they're too hairy." -- jhkim

Slambo

Quote from: Festus on March 23, 2023, 02:04:38 PM
Quote from: Svenhelgrim on March 23, 2023, 01:47:45 PM
Quote from: Festus on March 23, 2023, 01:24:24 PM
Quote from: Svenhelgrim on March 23, 2023, 12:54:09 PM
Quote from: S'mon on March 22, 2023, 04:39:40 PM
Forbes endorses Shadowdark
https://www.forbes.com/sites/robwieland/2023/03/16/shadowdark-looks-back-at-dungeon-crawls-with-an-eye-to-the-future/amp/

Hmm...

Methinks there is some big money backing Shadowdark, and it ain't coming from gamers like you and me. 

I think I'll wait and see how this plays out.  I am curious to know who the big investors are.

Why? Because an RPG author creating and executing a proper business plan with competence is just beyond comprehension?

If the legacy media is pushing this product, then there is more to it than some small-time game designer just "executing a proper business plan".

You do what you want with your money.  I will wait and see what's up.

I haven't backed it. I don't like close-near-far abstract movement systems. On the fence when it comes to randomly determining level abilities. I did download the beta release months ago and ran a one-shot. Found the real time torch gimmick to not make much difference in practice. Sounds cooler than it is. IMO this is a B+ game with A+ layout, editing, clarity, production values, and marketing. And it's been years in the making.

This is my feelings on it too. Im also not too fond of the art ive seen.

Notn related to the above quote, but i honestly dont think its gonna take that many people away from WoTC. Perhaps temporarily. I don't really think ANY game has much of a chance of making a dent because WoTC fans tend to be all about the "D&D community" over thr D&D rules and i anticipate they'll stick with it regardless.

Jaeger

Quote from: S'mon on March 23, 2023, 03:40:39 PM

Yeah, I knew that. As John Kim guessed, I just thought it was funny.  ;D

Not just funny:

Fucking. Hilarious.  8)

But I'm taking notes! Kelsey Dionne has shown the True Path.

If I ever release an RPG; I'm gonna line up these KYTube shills like dominoes, and have them fluff their audiences so hard the KickStarter backers will experience minor joygasams just reading the title of my game out loud.

A Forbes write-up will be just the beginning. IGN, ICV2, ENWorld, hell; I'm gonna get my shit in Popular Science.

The codename for my marketing campaign will be: Operation Fappening.

I'll make them think that my game is so awesome, that after playing just one session players will want to run home and kick their mommas right in the face.
"The envious are not satisfied with equality; they secretly yearn for superiority and revenge."

FingerRod

Quote from: GeekyBugle on March 23, 2023, 12:21:48 PM
Quote from: Steven Mitchell on March 23, 2023, 07:44:18 AM
Quote from: SHARK on March 23, 2023, 02:27:42 AM

I love the girl's *Hustle*! I also like boldness, and, yeah. I'm also thrilled that she took notice of WOTC's BS, and swiftly set herself up...to stomp on them, with style. Not to be overtly vulgar--and I'm definitely not simping for her--but her timing, her presentation, of *Boom*--it' a very nice "Fuck You!" to WOTC. So, I am a fan. I hope she does very well, and becomes *Hugely* successful and *rich*. I think it is great for everyone to get up like tigers and bite back at WOTC's BS.


Anything that takes a bite out of WotC and their host of smug assholes is a net plus.  Don't even care if the thing taking the bite is good or not, woke or not, or almost any other criteria you could name. And I don't just mean market share, even long term, either.  Anything that takes attention away from their D&D The Animal Farm Brought to Life edition is great.

IF she's using the OGL or the 5.1 CC By SRD she's doing the exact opposite of that.

She isn't. She released a video well before the KS dropped talking about the fortunate timing of an OGL-less approach.

migo

Quote from: Slambo on March 23, 2023, 06:45:39 PM

This is my feelings on it too. Im also not too fond of the art ive seen.


I'm not either. But it is consistent and thematically appropriate. It's not unheard of, but it's unusual enough to be noteworthy.

Quote from: FingerRod on March 23, 2023, 08:14:40 PM
Quote from: GeekyBugle on March 23, 2023, 12:21:48 PM

IF she's using the OGL or the 5.1 CC By SRD she's doing the exact opposite of that.

She isn't. She released a video well before the KS dropped talking about the fortunate timing of an OGL-less approach.

The point he's doing is if she's using the D&D SRD as a base, she's strengthening the D&D ecosystem, thus strengthening D&D. I'm not sure how true that is, when 4e was out and Pathfinder was king it doesn't seem to have been the case, but the other perspective is it kept players 'close to home' and ready to move back to D&D when the next edition came out. So it's possible that Shadowdark catches interest for a year or two until D&D 6e is released, and players start moving back. It's still familiar, and the novelty provided by Shadowdark has worn off.

We'll see what happens ultimately, but there is a point that if you want to take a real chunk out of D&D, you need to move clearly out of the D&D base.

FingerRod


I'm not sure what is hilarious about a good marketing campaign.

The game doesn't offer anything that would benefit my players. So I'm not a backer. But effectively advertising and good business skills should be commended, not vilified.

These are indisputable facts:

1. This thread has focused more on the creator's sexuality than the creator has.

2. Any issue with reviewers should stay with the reviewers. If I can convince Scarlet Johansson to shave the name of my game into her pubes, good on me. If Professor DM doesn't divulge his relationship with the creator that is on him, not her.

3. Any challenge to this gets labeled as white knighting, which automatically means the person who is making that claim has lost. Again, I'm not a backer. I will not give her my money. But masks ARE falling throughout this thread.

4. Migo is a clown. I have never once told people how to spend their money. I am a member of the dreaded 1%.. I gave $1000 to Jim buying products I will never use just because he was being canceled. I've done the same with others. I would never tell somebody how to spend their money. But he will shift his anti-crusade against this game to anything he can.

5. DM Grognard is an actual bigot. Bringing her wife into this and the lame tentacle joke is retarded. And has nothing to do with the game. The bed-wetting woke will justify their delusions because of backward ass shits like him.

6. SHARK has a clear view into this. His posts have been outstanding.