Comments on: Chatty's review: X-Treme Dungeon Mastery, Part 1 http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/ The Journal of Gamer Culture Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:53:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Gnome Rodeo: And the Winner Is… (Plus GMing Links) - Gnome Stew, the Game Mastering Blog http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56605 Gnome Rodeo: And the Winner Is… (Plus GMing Links) - Gnome Stew, the Game Mastering Blog Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:17:13 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56605 [...] Tracy Hickman’s XDM: X-Treme Dungeon Mastery, a GMing tome that came out around GenCon: part one, part two. To call this review extensive would be an understatement — I believe there are two [...] [...] Tracy Hickman’s XDM: X-Treme Dungeon Mastery, a GMing tome that came out around GenCon: part one, part two. To call this review extensive would be an understatement — I believe there are two [...]

]]> By: Tony http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56604 Tony Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:51:03 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56604 Yo Stargazer German dude! I spoke with the boss and he approved our continued existence even though this series bombed (I blame Admiral Stupid for that). I really like the idea of a mailbag feature so I can tell overstressed and overzealous DMs to chill out and focus on what's real ya know! Anyhoo, knowing our resident Dork, he'll probably chime in on the idea soon enough. Peace out man! .-= Tony´s last blog ..<a href="http://chattydm.net/2009/09/24/chatty%E2%80%99s-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-2/" rel="nofollow">Chatty’s review: X-Treme Dungeon Mastery, Part 2</a> =-. Yo Stargazer German dude! I spoke with the boss and he approved our continued existence even though this series bombed (I blame Admiral Stupid for that).

I really like the idea of a mailbag feature so I can tell overstressed and overzealous DMs to chill out and focus on what’s real ya know!

Anyhoo, knowing our resident Dork, he’ll probably chime in on the idea soon enough.

Peace out man!
.-= Tony´s last blog ..Chatty’s review: X-Treme Dungeon Mastery, Part 2 =-.

]]> By: Stargazer http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56603 Stargazer Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:06:57 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56603 Anti-Spam word of the moment: bacon! @ChattyDM <i>Heck, I could do a Phil & Tony mailbag feature.</i> Yes, please do so. This would be hilarious! .-= Stargazer´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StargazersWorld/~3/wrZVROc_49c/" rel="nofollow">Breaking News: Roleplaying finally possible in D&D 4th Edition</a> =-. Anti-Spam word of the moment: bacon!

@ChattyDM Heck, I could do a Phil & Tony mailbag feature.

Yes, please do so. This would be hilarious!
.-= Stargazer´s last blog ..Breaking News: Roleplaying finally possible in D&D 4th Edition =-.

]]> By: Kevin Richey http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56602 Kevin Richey Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:15:45 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56602 Oh, got it! Curiosity satisfied. Oh, got it! Curiosity satisfied.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56601 ChattyDM Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:07:40 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56601 @Kevin: My full name is Philippe-Antoine. I'm sure you can work it out :) @Kevin: My full name is Philippe-Antoine. I’m sure you can work it out :)

]]> By: Kevin Richey http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56600 Kevin Richey Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:31:15 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56600 @Chatty: I will read the rest, and I reserve the right to change my mind given new information. Oh we all still love good ol' Phil. It's the contrast between personalities that makes it funny, not Tony by himslef. I'm curious about where the name came from. @Wax: L O L I'm not a big fan of "she said" jokes, but your delivery and timing were perfect. @Chatty: I will read the rest, and I reserve the right to change my mind given new information. Oh we all still love good ol’ Phil. It’s the contrast between personalities that makes it funny, not Tony by himslef. I’m curious about where the name came from.

@Wax: L O L
I’m not a big fan of “she said” jokes, but your delivery and timing were perfect.

]]> By: DerelictMan http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56599 DerelictMan Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:47:22 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56599 While I have the utmost respect for the authors, this book disappointed me greatly. I was hoping for equal parts humor and useful information, but found way too much of the former and almost none of the latter. And of course humor is very subjective, but I just did not find this book very funny. I did chuckle at portions of it, but much of the humor in it seemed labored to me. The biggest impression that I had was that it seemed there was no direction in the writing of this book. It is all over the map, and seems to jump from the goal of attempting to give useful information to the goal of being silly in mid paragraph, and sometimes mid-sentence. And the chapters on sleight of hand and how to run your own Killer Breakfast convention event seemed to be total filler. How many readers are even going to be interested in this sort of information, especially enough to devote two entire chapters to it? I mean no offense or disrespect to anyone involved in creating this book, or any fans of it. I'm sure great effort was put into it. I think perhaps I was just not the target audience. Nice review, BTW, I love the split personality technique and I agree that it matches this particular book very well. While I have the utmost respect for the authors, this book disappointed me greatly. I was hoping for equal parts humor and useful information, but found way too much of the former and almost none of the latter. And of course humor is very subjective, but I just did not find this book very funny. I did chuckle at portions of it, but much of the humor in it seemed labored to me.

The biggest impression that I had was that it seemed there was no direction in the writing of this book. It is all over the map, and seems to jump from the goal of attempting to give useful information to the goal of being silly in mid paragraph, and sometimes mid-sentence. And the chapters on sleight of hand and how to run your own Killer Breakfast convention event seemed to be total filler. How many readers are even going to be interested in this sort of information, especially enough to devote two entire chapters to it?

I mean no offense or disrespect to anyone involved in creating this book, or any fans of it. I’m sure great effort was put into it. I think perhaps I was just not the target audience.

Nice review, BTW, I love the split personality technique and I agree that it matches this particular book very well.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56598 ChattyDM Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:33:23 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56598 Thanks for your feedback. There's a finer line to walk in a review between saying too little and actually giving out the content of the book. In part 2, chances are you will find more 'meat' so to speak as I tackle the section that follows the introduction. As for knowing Tracy Hickman (and son), his (and Margareth Weis') Dragonlance Novels were the 1st English books I read back when I was 13. Thanks for your feedback. There’s a finer line to walk in a review between saying too little and actually giving out the content of the book.

In part 2, chances are you will find more ‘meat’ so to speak as I tackle the section that follows the introduction.

As for knowing Tracy Hickman (and son), his (and Margareth Weis’) Dragonlance Novels were the 1st English books I read back when I was 13.

]]> By: Tyson J. Hayes http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56597 Tyson J. Hayes Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:21:07 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56597 I enjoyed the two takes on the book but personally could have used more about the book and what it was about, as I've never heard of the book nor was I familiar with the author I found it harder to enjoy the review. However the back and forth between the two characters did add to the review, and I would encourage more from them. I enjoyed the two takes on the book but personally could have used more about the book and what it was about, as I’ve never heard of the book nor was I familiar with the author I found it harder to enjoy the review.

However the back and forth between the two characters did add to the review, and I would encourage more from them.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56596 ChattyDM Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:35:58 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56596 @Wax: Har har har. You know I hate you with a passion man. I'll save a very spectacular character death just for you at our upcoming Boston East Coast gathering of gamer bloggers. :) Good one man. @Wax: Har har har. You know I hate you with a passion man. I’ll save a very spectacular character death just for you at our upcoming Boston East Coast gathering of gamer bloggers. :)

Good one man.

]]> By: Wax Banks http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56595 Wax Banks Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:28:36 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56595 <blockquote>I think since I have a little (OK, a lot) of Phil in me</blockquote> Wait for it, wait... Wait... <em><strong>That's what she said!!</strong></em> You're welcome,W. .-= Wax Banks´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/typepad/waxbanks/blog/~3/oLFi1p43gRs/scattered-spoilery-thoughts-on-felix-gilmans-excellent-novel-thunderer.html" rel="nofollow">Scattered, spoilery thoughts on Felix Gilman's excellent novel Thunderer.</a> =-.

I think since I have a little (OK, a lot) of Phil in me

Wait for it, wait…

Wait…

That’s what she said!!

You’re welcome,W.
.-= Wax Banks´s last blog ..Scattered, spoilery thoughts on Felix Gilman’s excellent novel Thunderer. =-.

]]> By: LordVreeg http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56594 LordVreeg Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:12:39 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56594 Jeez. I think since I have a little (OK, a lot) of Phil in me (especially the bit about time-sensitive), so this review is leting me know that while I;d love to hone my craft with a serious book about it, this may not be the one. Thanks as always. .-= LordVreeg´s last blog ..<a href="http://celtricia.pbworks.com/C%20a%20ruined%20villa" rel="nofollow">edited C a ruined villa</a> =-. Jeez.

I think since I have a little (OK, a lot) of Phil in me (especially the bit about time-sensitive), so this review is leting me know that while I;d love to hone my craft with a serious book about it, this may not be the one.
Thanks as always.
.-= LordVreeg´s last blog ..edited C a ruined villa =-.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56593 ChattyDM Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:42:11 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56593 @Gospog: The way I set up both characters, I'm pretty sure you could write the review yourself and get it on the spot. :) Good to see you again on the blog. I know you've probably been lurking all this time but It's nice to see old friends pop in once in a while. I think I'm going to send Tony meet Shamus Young's alter ego at The Escapist and have both of them start a D&D game. Heck, I could do a Phil & Tony mailbag feature. @Gospog: The way I set up both characters, I’m pretty sure you could write the review yourself and get it on the spot. :) Good to see you again on the blog. I know you’ve probably been lurking all this time but It’s nice to see old friends pop in once in a while.

I think I’m going to send Tony meet Shamus Young’s alter ego at The Escapist and have both of them start a D&D game.

Heck, I could do a Phil & Tony mailbag feature.

]]> By: gospog http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56592 gospog Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:34:15 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56592 I thoroughly enjoyed about 90% of this book. But then, I'm totally a "Tony". ;) I look forward to seeing both your takes (ahem) on the "magic tricks" section. I thoroughly enjoyed about 90% of this book. But then, I’m totally a “Tony”. ;)

I look forward to seeing both your takes (ahem) on the “magic tricks” section.

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56591 ChattyDM Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:15:21 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56591 @Wax: I have not yet purchased the DMG2, but I plan to do so soon. I'm sure that it 15 shades of awesome, given some of the people who wrote it (including Robin Laws). The 3.5 DMG II was among the best GMing guides I've read so I'm looking forward to see this book. I agree with your assessment of Grandad Gary's book. I just bear a special consideration to the book because I learned English partly by reading it... @Kevin: At least give the next post a read before deciding about the book. I've only covered 10% of the book. Although the tone of the book has been established, the meat of it is still uncovered. So you like Tony eh? Why is it that the expert jerks are always popular... not that I expected Phil to get any love? :) @Wyatt: I knew that the review format would send some people into WTF territory, but as I prepared the review the concept seemed the best way to do the book justice and treat it fairly for what it is. We'll see how it will turn out. @Paul: Hey, thanks. I'm happy you enjoyed it. @Stargazer: We'll see how the characters develop. It's liberating to shed part of your personality to focus and exaggerate on one particular aspect. I guess that's how writers create interesting characters. Stay tuned for part 2 :) @Wax: I have not yet purchased the DMG2, but I plan to do so soon. I’m sure that it 15 shades of awesome, given some of the people who wrote it (including Robin Laws). The 3.5 DMG II was among the best GMing guides I’ve read so I’m looking forward to see this book.

I agree with your assessment of Grandad Gary’s book. I just bear a special consideration to the book because I learned English partly by reading it…

@Kevin: At least give the next post a read before deciding about the book. I’ve only covered 10% of the book. Although the tone of the book has been established, the meat of it is still uncovered.

So you like Tony eh? Why is it that the expert jerks are always popular… not that I expected Phil to get any love? :)

@Wyatt: I knew that the review format would send some people into WTF territory, but as I prepared the review the concept seemed the best way to do the book justice and treat it fairly for what it is. We’ll see how it will turn out.

@Paul: Hey, thanks. I’m happy you enjoyed it.

@Stargazer: We’ll see how the characters develop. It’s liberating to shed part of your personality to focus and exaggerate on one particular aspect. I guess that’s how writers create interesting characters.

Stay tuned for part 2 :)

]]> By: Stargazer http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56590 Stargazer Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:53:16 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56590 Hehe, you really should start writing comics about Phil and Tony. Or ask the Penny Arcade guys to do it ... awesome idea :D From what I've seen so far this book is probably not for me. All this secret handshake stuff doesn't fit into my RPG world, but I will probably wait for the rest of your review before I totally reject it. Tracy Hickman has written a few things I enjoyed (mostly together with Margaret Weis), so I give him the benefit of the doubt. @Wax Banks: Hmm, hasn't Robin D. Laws written parts of the DMG2? That might tempt me to give it another look. .-= Stargazer´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.stargazersworld.com/2009/09/24/iron-kingdoms-rpg-source-books-now-available-in-pdf/" rel="nofollow">Iron Kingdoms RPG source books now available in PDF</a> =-. Hehe, you really should start writing comics about Phil and Tony. Or ask the Penny Arcade guys to do it … awesome idea :D

From what I’ve seen so far this book is probably not for me. All this secret handshake stuff doesn’t fit into my RPG world, but I will probably wait for the rest of your review before I totally reject it. Tracy Hickman has written a few things I enjoyed (mostly together with Margaret Weis), so I give him the benefit of the doubt.

@Wax Banks: Hmm, hasn’t Robin D. Laws written parts of the DMG2? That might tempt me to give it another look.
.-= Stargazer´s last blog ..Iron Kingdoms RPG source books now available in PDF =-.

]]> By: paulbaalham http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56589 paulbaalham Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:44:01 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56589 Cool. Two reviews for the price of one! Looking forward to the next part of the review. Cool. Two reviews for the price of one! Looking forward to the next part of the review.

]]> By: Wyatt http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56588 Wyatt Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:39:45 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56588 That book sounds disturbingly like something I would write. Except mine would probably be about journalism or politics. The schizo review was a little weird at first glance, but after a re-read, it's rather entertaining. I have to stop reading things at midnight though. .-= Wyatt´s last blog ..<a href="http://spiritsofeden.wordpress.com/2009/09/17/10-things-you-must-know-about-the-spirits-of-eden/" rel="nofollow">10 Things You Must Know About The Spirits of Eden</a> =-. That book sounds disturbingly like something I would write. Except mine would probably be about journalism or politics. The schizo review was a little weird at first glance, but after a re-read, it’s rather entertaining. I have to stop reading things at midnight though.
.-= Wyatt´s last blog ..10 Things You Must Know About The Spirits of Eden =-.

]]> By: Kevin Richey http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56587 Kevin Richey Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:00:11 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56587 Thanks for the review, I've been curious about this book. I learned two things: (1) I don't want this book, and (2) I want more Tony. I'll still read the next two parts, mostly for more Tony. Thanks for the review, I’ve been curious about this book. I learned two things: (1) I don’t want this book, and (2) I want more Tony. I’ll still read the next two parts, mostly for more Tony.

]]> By: Wax Banks http://critical-hits.com/2009/09/23/chattys-review-x-treme-dungeon-mastery-part-1/#comment-56586 Wax Banks Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:56:36 +0000 http://chattydm.net/?p=4024#comment-56586 Have you read DMG2 yet? Holy Christ, you're going to flip out. The first chapter is like an expanded, edited version of Laws's amazing 4e-related LJ posts, and the rest of the book is on its quality level (if less groundbreaking). The sample Skill Challenges and 'Advanced Encounters' materials are just great. Better by a huge margin than any official D&D DM material I know of. (I'm including Gygax's shambling incoherent obsessive-compulsive mess of a 1e DMG in this assessment, of course.) .-= Wax Banks´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/typepad/waxbanks/blog/~3/oLFi1p43gRs/scattered-spoilery-thoughts-on-felix-gilmans-excellent-novel-thunderer.html" rel="nofollow">Scattered, spoilery thoughts on Felix Gilman's excellent novel Thunderer.</a> =-. Have you read DMG2 yet? Holy Christ, you’re going to flip out. The first chapter is like an expanded, edited version of Laws’s amazing 4e-related LJ posts, and the rest of the book is on its quality level (if less groundbreaking). The sample Skill Challenges and ‘Advanced Encounters’ materials are just great. Better by a huge margin than any official D&D DM material I know of. (I’m including Gygax’s shambling incoherent obsessive-compulsive mess of a 1e DMG in this assessment, of course.)
.-= Wax Banks´s last blog ..Scattered, spoilery thoughts on Felix Gilman’s excellent novel Thunderer. =-.

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