RPG with and engaging community: An Editorial.

X (Twitter) and YouTube are a cesspool sometimes. Between all of the hate being thrown at Wizards of the Coast and ampersand game versus all of the D&DTubers actively getting paid by WotC, I rarely go on either platform as much as I used to. The last couple of weeks have been especially brutal because the D&DTubers are trying to villainize anyone who doesn’t agree with them that the new edition of ampersand game is the greatest $240+ dollars you’ll ever spend. Oh, and if you call them out on being shills you’re also the devil.

I’ve had enough of this game and all the shills. Moving on to far better products.

I think there is an ongoing conspiracy (JUST MY OPINION!) that some D&DTubers are getting paid by Hasbro/WotC to not only shill for the new edition of D Ampersand & D (which I won’t be discussing on here any time soon for so many reasons) and anyone who disagrees with them is obviously wrong, stupid, “conspiratorial,” or just plain evil. We’re no longer allowed to have any opinion counter to the current WotC ampersand game mainline or we’re the bad ones.

There are people online, X and YouTube, who act like 2023 WotC shenanigans never happened. Ain’t it great now that we have 2024 ampersand game? Well, for everyone who got it at Gen Con or via the WotC D&DTube shill program mabye. The rest of us have to wait until mid-September. Meanwhile the flow of hype continues and anyone who disagrees is obviously not in line with 2024 WotC corporate values. Personally, I don’t do Toxic Positivity. (*That article might be coming back around.)

Gamer til I die.

Unfortunately, that kinda reads as a low key attack on “predominantly white middle-aged men.” See the June/July WotC scandal. In 2023 we were told by a different WotC representative that white guys “can’t leave fast enough for this hobby.” It sort of appears that message is still being broadcast on YouTube in more subtle ways. As a middle-aged white guy myself, uh- that ain’t happening. I’m here to stay in the hobby.

Disclaimer: This is my blog. This is how I see things and how I feel. There is little factual information being presented. If you have issue with anything being presented, please contact me privately on X (Twitter,) Instagram, BlueSky, or by email. Otherwise, there are lots of platforms out there for you to vent your feelings and opinions, too.

I have recently unsubscribed from about a dozen of these big “DungeonTubers.” I can’t stand it anymore. I won’t get into why other than I like what I like. You don’t get to be angry with me for not sucking up to you or WotC. I’m not the bad guy here. Heck, I can’t blame anyone for wanting a paycheck, but go to work for Hasbro’s advertising department without telling me you’re working directly for them much?

We knew this day was coming. Ever since the Open Game License Debacle of 2023, DungeonTubers have been turning around and running back to WotC with their tails between their legs. I think it’s sad to say the least.

But hey, what do I know? I’m just a guy with a blog. I don’t have 850K subscribers on YouTube or followers on X (Twitter.) As far as a lot of these people are concerned, the money they raked in from WotC makes up for anyone like me they lost. WotC won’t even return my emails.

I’ve said many times on here, “Do what makes you happy.”

I’m more than happy to discuss Dragonbane. Alas, I’m still working on my Swedish and Go-ogle Translate doesn’t seem to do so well with game terms. Regardless, I’ll happily talk about Dragonbane, ICONS, Shadowdark, or any other number of non-ampersand games any time.

If ampersand game 2024-5 is your jam, that’s great. More power to you. I hope you have all kinds of fun with your game of choice. I respect and support you unconditionally. Please understand if I exercise my right not to like anything WotC does going forward from 2022. Sorry. We just have to agree to disagree on that one.

Unfortunately, it’s a little harder to approach social media and YouTube that way. People are incredibly polarized online right now. I’m finding that actual positivity might not draw as many likes as negativity, but it definitely draws less hate. I’m sticking to Dragonbane and just letting WotC run the ampersand game into the ground without me saying a whole lot. It’s sad, but I’m over it.

Trust me, I don’t have to talk trash about someone else’s good times to make mine look better. Dragonbane simply is better than half the fantasy games out on the market. Free League Publishing is a great company. I love the game. I love the company.

I’m going to keep talking about Dragonbane for no monetary compensation. I’m planning to do YouTube videos extolling the virtues of the game. I’m going to write adventures and sourcebooks for the game. I haven’t forgotten several of my other favorite games, either. We’re just getting warmed up.

Thank you for being here today with me. I appreciate you. Please embrace the things that bring you the most joy.