TheRPGSite

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 :D. 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 :D

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 :D

Regards,
David R

Hmm...

Game Design & Tips?

I vote yea.

Quote from: RPGPunditProposed: 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?

Nay.  I think the idea behind the change is good but "Coaching" is awful.  How about something like "RPG Design and Practical Gaming Advice" or something like that.  Emphasis on the "Practical". :)

Quote from: Levi KornelsenWhich is weird, cuz' I got the term from JimBob.

Well, the main idea was to distinguish it from "theory." Because not many gamers are interested in labelling their play style as "Alphaist" or "Boggist" or whatever, nor are they interested in discussing "scene framing" and stuff like that. But if you want to talk about how to scare players in a horror game, or whether giving out xp for this stuff encourages that other stuff, okay, people like to talk about that.

The stuff that sits around by itself and which you can discuss without naming any roleplaying game, or talking about what your game group did last night - that stuff is "theory." The stuff you can't separate from any particular roleplaying game book or session, that's "craft."

I'm not that fond of the word "craft," either. But I'm even less fond of "theory", both as a word and a bunch of ideas. The theory/craft or pure/applied split is one you see all over the place, it's a useful distinction.

In deciding whether to rename the subforum, what you have to decide is whether theory is welcome at all in the forum as a whole. Me, I'm happy to exclude pure theory from discussion, leaving us with applied craft. So I say, yep, rename it.

If I were to be designing an rpg forum, I'd probably give it subforums like this,

Roleplaying Discussion
For general discussion, rants and raves and anything else to do with gaming.

Recruitment
Discuss new campaign ideas and gauge interest from other gamers on

Game Design & House Rules
Adding house rules to your system? Turning your house rules into a whole system? Come here!

Over a Pint
Non-gaming banter and anything else that doesn't fit into the other forums

I wouldn't give "Craft" or "GM Coaching" its own subforum. It overlaps too much with general roleplaying game discussion. I've noticed here on this forum that "craft" sorts of discussions have happened in the main roleplaying subforum, and gone very well, with lots of interest. In the "craft" subforum, the same topics have fallen flat.

"Hosue rules" are probably "craft", really, but I'd still put them separately, because house rules really are game design. You're designing part of a game based on another game. Well, speaking from experience, when you design a whole game, you have to do it in parts, too.

Quote from: SettembriniMy vote is for

Game Design & DM Coaching

I'll stop coming here if any proprietary words or acronyms are put in any of the forum names.  

I don't want there to be no place on the internet for dissenting theory.  That name would kill it , Sett.

I also vote "nay" on the name being changed to "RPG Design and Game Master Coaching"

Change it to RPG Design and Craft.  I like that suggestion.

QuoteIt overlaps too much with general roleplaying game discussion. I've noticed here on this forum that "craft" sorts of discussions have happened in the main roleplaying subforum, and gone very well, with lots of interest.

You convinced me. Having different subforae isn´t always helping. Less is more, sometimes. No need to label and seperate technique talk, let it just spread and bloom on it´s own!

@GM vs DM: I really don´t care much. Whatever gives you a better feeling.

Quote from: JimBobOzGame Design & House Rules
Adding house rules to your system? Turning your house rules into a whole system? Come here!

Ohh... I like this.

House RULES!

"Gotta have House Music all night long... With that House Music you can't go wrong..." :p

"Game Design", or "RPG Design", I can tolerate; but PLEASE don't call it "Craft" or "Coaching". The two "C's" sound lame to me. Craft makes me think of knitting a sweater, or reminds me of butter. Isn't there a butter named "Craft"? And Coaching.....eh...I don't like it.

Keep the name, short but sweet. Please? :(

i'm down for whatever as long as the section of the site containing -ism's is clearly marked so i can avoid it.

The thing about 'coaching' is: who's coaching whom? It just isn't like that.

Game Design & GM Workshop

Regards,
David R

Quote from: David RGame Design & GM Workshop

Regards,
David R

Not bad, but the problem is that it makes me think of "Games Workshop". That's probably not our goal, however. :)

Quote from: Sacrificial LambNot bad, but the problem is that it makes me think of "Games Workshop". That's probably not our goal, however. :)

Very true.

My original idea was lumping the whole forum under the heading GameWorks...but I thought the Pundit may have a heart attack :D

Regards,
David R

How about "RPG Design & Analysis" plus (if it's included here and not in the general forum) "GMing Workshop" ?

Or more poetic:

"Roleplaying Reflections"
:cool:

Game Design & House Rules sounds best to me.

I'll vote for Game Design & Analysis or Game Design & House Rules.  Either of those seem to be indicative of the site's thrust and mission statement.

Ah, fuck this, we change nothing!

Having the word "theory" on here immunizes the main forum from theory-talk, and none of you fuckers seem able to agree on what this forum should be re-named to, so we're going to keep it just as it is.

Yes, I want to see house-rules, and homebrew-RPG mechanics on here, and talk about non-forge theory; I want all of that. And GM-coaching.
But I don't think we need to change the name of the site to do that, we just need people being aware that this forum is for that purpose, and setting out to contribute some of it.

RPGPundit

That works, too.

That works best, Pundit.

I still say it sounds to high-falutin'. Change it to house rules or game craft, and you might avoid stupid theory threads altogether.

(To dream the impossible dream, to fight the unbeatable foe...)

After 4 pages I think most people support changing the title.  If nobody supported changing it, it wouldn't have had the same attention.

But it's your forum, so do whatever you like. :)

Quote from: StuartAfter 4 pages I think most people support changing the title.  If nobody supported changing it, it wouldn't have had the same attention.

But it's your forum, so do whatever you like. :)

The problem is most of them couldn't agree what to change it TO.

RPGPundit

Know what?

I can bear with the stupid theory in the title, if I am allowed to post whatever strikes my fancy in the General forum.

´Cause I don´t want no Semantics & Sophistry anymore.

If I get pointed to the "theory" forum, I´ll insurge

edited for correct verb.