Proposed: that this forum's title be changed from "Game Design and Theory Forum" to "RPG Design and Game Master Coaching".

Yea, or nay? And why?

RPGPundit

Game vs. RPG is the only point to consider...

If you go with RPG you'll still have all the "is it an RPG or not" discussions.  If you go with Game you'll take a "who cares what you call it, let's get designing" approach.

I kinda vote for it. Yesterday I wrote up most of a post about using 'Encounter as Mode of Play', but ended up just quitting the post after writing a big exclaimer at the top about how this isn't a theory but a technique.

The thing about theory is that- not only is it bullshit-- it's BS that completely unqualified people can come on and give advice about, with perfect authority.

Theorists become theorists because they've failed at gaming in the first place.

Game Design & Craft

Change the other subforum to Actual Play. It keeps confusing the hell out of me.

I'd also vote for moving the Actual Play forum under Gaming Discussion.  I don't check it as often as I'd like to, and I think it's mostly because I have to make a special "Check this other forum-grouping" effort to see it.  But hey, maybe it's just me.

I vote you call it "Game Design", and just leave it at that.

Quote from: JongWKGame Design & Craft

Change the other subforum to Actual Play. It keeps confusing the hell out of me.

Agreed. "Craft" implies a craftsman working a way at something, like a game designer working on the rules of his game.

And I agree that taking the term "theory" out of the board title if you're not interested in hosting abstract discussions of RPG theory on it. It'll make this board have a more focused purpose and decrease confusion.

On the flipside, it is genuinely helpful to have a part of the board where theory discussions can happen, if only because it means that theory doesn't have to spill over into the other boards, so it might be a good idea to have a "theory corner"; people raising theory points in threads where it's not welcome can be told "hey, go put it in the theory corner", and forum users who despise theory need never go in that corner again.

The fact that people on therpgsite seem to like having long arguments about theory suggests to me that it would be a bad idea to remove theory from the equation entirely.

Quote from: TonyLBI'd also vote for moving the Actual Play forum under Gaming Discussion.  I don't check it as often as I'd like to, and I think it's mostly because I have to make a special "Check this other forum-grouping" effort to see it.  But hey, maybe it's just me.

I was talking about moving the "Craft" part of that forum to this one, actually.

Giving more relevance to Actual Play wouldn't hurt, in any case.

My vote is for

Game Design & DM Coaching

"DM Coaching" would be included in "Craft."

Craft is a registered trademark of Levi CogWarCorp Lmtd., and thusly everytime I read "Craft", I expect Leviness, and nothing else.

GM Coaching is clearer but clunkier than Craft.

It's not a perfect change but you know what they say about perfection being the enemy of "very good".

It's a lot better than putting "theory" in the title.

Quote from: SettembriniCraft is a registered trademark of Levi CogWarCorp Lmtd., and thusly everytime I read "Craft", I expect Leviness, and nothing else.

Which is weird, cuz' I got the term from JimBob.

I just really, really like it.

I can't stand 'craft'. Just so's you know. It makes me think of embroidery.

I vote for 'Game Design' (subtitle: Designing, modifying and kitbashing RPGs).

I have no problem with RPG Design. Game Master Coaching strikes me as too Dr. Phil . I prefer the term Craft, but hey, Levi "The Man with the Plan", is using it in his joint, so, Design is cool with me.

I also think that player issues - whatever they may be, advice, rants, etc - should be encouraged in this forum, perhaps with a subtitle in the post heading. A lot of being a good GM starts with being aware of player issues, IMO. (Yeah I realize all this player stuff can go in the general forum, but encouraging it here kind of fits into the whole philosophy of GM coaching and all that)

As for me I'll be updating my Waterworld project and subject to mod approval (because of subject matter) contributing two game ideas. The first High, is inspired by Nicotine Girls and deals specificaly with low level drug dealers and users in Malaysia. I don't think it would appeal to most folks..well maybe for some, in a foreign movie kind of way

The second called (working title) Thug and inspired by movies such as The Pusher Trilogy, Blood In Blood Out, City of God, State of Grace, is about low level gang life and is a generic system (hopefuly)

It's pretty messy because it also deals with PVP conflict - some pcs may have the option of assuming the roles of undercover law enforcement officials (unknown to the other pcs) and has stats like "Cool" which determines whether the stress/anxiety of the job has gotten to you and your cover is blown and also a currently unamed stat (?) which determines how much you empathize with your fellow gang members and if you are indeed compromised -both stats rise and fall depending on what in game actions the pc takes.

Sorry for the slight derail, my Christmas vacation is about to start soon, things are winding down in the office...I've got some time on my hands

Regards,
David R