KrakaJak
Legendary Pubber
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2019
- Messages
- 436
- Reaction score
- 878
I would argue that D&D is actually a niche product when it comes to RPGs. It's not the simplest or most accessible ruleset in RPGs. The IP is not the most popular IP in games. It does not have the broadest application to genres or story types. In these instances, I don't think it is any more "Appified" than it was before.
I think the reason D&D 5e is and remains so popular is it is NOT focused on a specific kind of player. The 5e DMG identifies 7 different player types to target (Which aren't too different from Quantic Foundry's Gamer Motivation Profiles). D&D is also the only game which offers a detailed manual with advice specific for how to run D&D. I think Fate and Blades in the Dark targets a more specific kind of player than D&D, they try to serve a more specific audience directly. Most RPGs outside of D&D target people who are already familiar with RPGs. I can't think of another RPG which identifies a more diverse group of playstyles to serve than D&D does.
D&D 4e targeted a smaller set of player types to the exclusion of others. This is one of the only times D&D was less popular than other RPGs on the market.
Where I really think the appification comes in with DTRPG and other digital platforms have allowed 1 to 2 man teams to create and release games. The more talented of these small teams can find a manageable audience and financial success delivering a high quality product with a much smaller scope than what Modiphius and WotC are offering. Because these smaller products fit a specific type of player needs more specifically, you get the FATE effect: Fate is highly recommended by the players who like it for everything. It is also counted as overhyped, incomprehensible or garbage by the player types it underserves.
I think the reason D&D 5e is and remains so popular is it is NOT focused on a specific kind of player. The 5e DMG identifies 7 different player types to target (Which aren't too different from Quantic Foundry's Gamer Motivation Profiles). D&D is also the only game which offers a detailed manual with advice specific for how to run D&D. I think Fate and Blades in the Dark targets a more specific kind of player than D&D, they try to serve a more specific audience directly. Most RPGs outside of D&D target people who are already familiar with RPGs. I can't think of another RPG which identifies a more diverse group of playstyles to serve than D&D does.
D&D 4e targeted a smaller set of player types to the exclusion of others. This is one of the only times D&D was less popular than other RPGs on the market.
Where I really think the appification comes in with DTRPG and other digital platforms have allowed 1 to 2 man teams to create and release games. The more talented of these small teams can find a manageable audience and financial success delivering a high quality product with a much smaller scope than what Modiphius and WotC are offering. Because these smaller products fit a specific type of player needs more specifically, you get the FATE effect: Fate is highly recommended by the players who like it for everything. It is also counted as overhyped, incomprehensible or garbage by the player types it underserves.