Firstly they determined complexity as polled was largely rated by how many choices the class has rather than how complicated it is to actually play its mechanics at the table. Then they charted satisfaction against complexity to determine whether people were happy with 'complexity' and whether it made a difference in combat or out. You do raise a valid concern that the data in those particular graphs are not controlled for how well the mechanics of those classes perform in combat vs out. It is possible that most of the options that make the so-called 'complex' classes 'complex' are just geared better for noncombat, and they don't have enough combat options. Also bear in mind that this is data from playtests of the classes as they were in 2013, not as they are now.

@@ocwkuro "the options that make the so-called 'complex' classes 'complex' are just geared better for noncombat, and they don't have enough combat options" My guess is a class where you have at least one (1) obvious, (2) easy to use (3) effective combat option is going to rate well. Having additional options is nice, but having a default action that is satisfying goes a long way. Rage is pretty satisfying, for example, and it requires little mental effort to use well. I think that is why the Druid rates poorly. It has a similarly higher number of choices to other primary spellcasters, but if you look at their low levels spells, they are just not as easy to use in combat, compared to other classes. Shillelagh and Thunderwave are useful spells, but fall short of being a solid nobrainer default choice when we are talking about someone running around in leather armor. (In contrast, a Tempest Cleric donning heavy armor will find a lot of easy joy from Thunderwave, even to the point of upcasting it and boosting with Channel.)

yes, Mearls' point is that it's okay for Barbarian to be less satisfying out of combat, because the types of players who play Barbarians tend to be the types who don't seek satisfaction in those situations in the first place.

I think you may be mistaken. The corrected columns are average-combat-noncombat with the barbarian scoring 3.68-4.02-3.33; if you check the later satisfaction vs complexity graphs you will see the presenters are correct

Just noticed the similar settings in Windows 11

@@MohammodZunayedHassan Hate to reply to an old comment but any idea where I can find it? Edit: Nevermind, it's right there in the sound settings.

who knows :) it is an older video and none of the current IGDA Content volunteers have the original copy so apologies :)

Their bottom line as a corporation is profit. Fan service was never their intent, it was to create growth in other areas. Hence, the "High Wall".

Whats wrong with using polling to determine how people are enjoying the game? It seems very clever to me. As they said, forums were very unreflective of the overall population's opinions

@@matthewleahy6565 How many of those people really played D&D enough to have a judgement about it ? Or better yet , how many of those people are truly fans of D&D ? If you got too many non-fans that are already not interested in D&D from the begin with , they wanna have definitly changes that are too drastic and destructive for the core values what makes D&D really D&D . Its not the question about the accesibility but rather "how can we change the core principles of the product to appease the lowest common consumer-base? " Its like changing D&D into a cheap chess knock-off but still holding the name D&D because of brand recognition . Its ugly , kills the franchise and makes more problems then solving them.

@@Snyperwolf91 "how many people have played d&d enough to have a judgement about it" I don't think this is a useful question as the answer is completely subjective. "How many of these people are true fans of D&D? Again not a useful question. When niche hobbies/interests/musicians broaden their appeal it can turn off the previous consumer base. It's happened to me too. That's the economic system we live in. I don't see the sense of hacking at the branches instead of the roots.

@@Snyperwolf91 Well then I have good news for you! There are lots of people who feel the same way. They play with the older rulesets. You can too!

I see Wizards has just apparently never hired a good production company for these presentations, lol

Thanks, I almost blew out an eardrum.

Thanks for the heads up, Brooke! We're definitely still working to improve & sort out our A/V kinks and really appreciate the feedback!