RPGamer News Roundtable Discussion Forum

Welcome to the Machine

July 23rd, 2002
Updater on Duty: Justin Weiss

Our first roundtable to include reader opinions is presented for you today, and although I can't necessarily say it went without a hitch (*cough* bad scheduling *cough*), I think adding a reader into the mix really allowed for some intense discussion, and we'll definitely be doing it next time and for many other roundtables in the near future. So, if you'd like to be a part of one of RPGamer's news roundtables, get those applications in to me as soon as possible! I'd also like to give a special thank you to former newsie Rebecca Phoa and reader Phil Tyran for the topic suggestions modified and used this week.

We had an interesting roundtable this time around, with three questions that I thought would be very focused, but ended up producing some really open discussion. The recent release of the real-time strategy game Warcraft III prompted a discussion on the addition of RPG elements into other genres, and how RPGs would stand to lose or profit from these additions. We also talked about dungeon crawls, and how developers were returning to the RPG genre's roots with games like Lufia: The Legend Returns, Dungeon Siege, and Neverwinter Nights. Finally, we discussed customization of player characters and how that served to draw players into PC RPGs. A lot of points were made, some heated arguments ensued, and one of RPGamer's best roundtables was eventually produced. You don't need to believe me, however, check it out for yourself by clicking on the links below!

We're still open to applications to sit on our roundtable and talk about games with your favorite staff members of RPGamer; the link is on the sidebar to the right. Suggestions, comments, possible discussion topics, and anything else you feel like throwing my way are always welcome, and should be sent to rtable@rpgamer.com. Have a good week, and keep reading!

Topics of Discussion

This Week's Panelists

Panelist #1 Vital Signs Name: Brent Fisher Email: wally@rpgamer.com Location: Ohio Why Me? RPGamer Newsie Panelist #2 Vital Signs Name: Googleshng Email: googleshng@rpgamer.com Location: Connecticut Why Me? Q&A Master

Panelist #3 Vital Signs Name: Justin Weiss Email: thevortex@rpgamer.com Location: Illinois Why Me? Roundtable Director Panelist #4 Vital Signs Name: Michael Bischoff Email: kamikaze@rpgamer.com Location: Illinois Why Me? RPGamer Mediaite

Panelist #5 Vital Signs Name: Matt Fairchild Email: Scavenger382@hotmail.com Location: Texas Why Me? Selected Reader