I’ve started listening to the Haste podcast, and in one of the first episodes, they talked about how the D&D bloggers should distill the experiences of their readers. And to help focus the discussion towards positive change, they should figure out for themselves what makes a good game and what makes a bad game.

Now, I don’t consider myself a “D&D blogger”. Or, really, a blogger at all, since I have, what, five posts since I started again? (btw, don’t look at my LJ – omg the angst)

But, what I do have is perspective on a couple of interesting demographics. Before I get too into that, I’ll share my own perspective on games. Now, don’t run away! I’ve gone and tucked that into another post.

I’ve never played any of the classic modules. Not Keep on the Borderlands, not Queen of the Spiders, none of the S series. Evidently, these are a very strong part of the D&D gaming lexicon, identity, and “gamer cred”. I also don’t sit down and play every week. And not really every month. Heck, getting the time and people to pull it off every six months seems to be pretty difficult right now.

I don’t think either of these facts invalidates my opinions or experiences. Oh, but here’s one that might: I’m a pirate. Ah, but that’s honestly a rant for another post. Oh, wait, I can do that, huh? Boom. Cut, pasted, posted. So that’s one perspective I have – the guy who’s willing to pay $12 for Fiasco, but not $80 or so for D&D.

I’ve also been playing in PbP (play-by-post) lately. Having read and listened to several things talking about current trends in gaming, most all of them are focused on in-person play. Every once in a while, someone mentions VTTs (virtual table tops) and/or using Skype or Google+ hangouts to play. It seems like PbP is kind of the red-headed stepchild of the RPG world, even though it’s a fantastic way for folks like me (full time job, child, house to take care of, and local friends with schedules just as hectic) to be able to connect with other roleplayers.

There are tons of tools out there for the PbP gamer, and a fair amount of experienced gamers ready to help out the noob. But it seems like the larger publishers don’t see profit in those tools. Or maybe I’m not looking in the right places?

Wow. At this point, I’m not even sure of the point I was trying to make. So I’ll cut it off now, and continue this later.