DM's in Computer RPG's

[Rayfer]

For all us RPG fans....interesting article from Rock/Paper/Shotgun on the failure of games that try to deliver a DM experience into the game.  http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/10/26/dungeon-master-pc-games/

[Swatter]

I think there is an inherent problem trying to transfer the tabletop experience to your PC- DM's make up so much on the fly. In addition, DMs must create lots of content that is already hard enough to create with a pen without the adding layers of tools and scripting to the process. I tried to run a PnP-like campaign in NWN and I spent 10x-20x longer during content creation than I would have for a PnP campaign. Even worse, everything tended to be buggy within a multiplayer environment.

I think we need to accept that computer games will not deliver the sort of PnP experience many of us would desire. I am starting to look into Fantasy Grounds and it looks promising. Of course, Fantasy Grounds really isn't a game, it's more of an interface to facilitate PnP sessions online. They probably have the right idea, with the limitations of the medium in mind.

I think Sword Coast Legends (with some work) could be a lot of GM directed fun, but it will never approach a tabletop experience.

[bayonetbrant]

it was a good article.  I think that it points out that until there's an adaptive AI that's just this side of SkyNet, nothing is going to replace a live DM for winging it on the fly

[Swatter]

I don't think we need some adaptive AI, just an adaptive UI. You need streamlined but effective content creation, both before and during a play-through. To me, its just a matter of time/money. Too many want a AAA single player experience with a powerful development suite and equally powerful DM client. That's just not realistic. Its a niche desire that would cost millions and millions to bring to fruition.

It just a question of money, IMO.