Matt Mercer Won't Admit the REAL Reason for the "Mercer Effect"

kythri · January 05, 2019, 10:24:43 AM

Quote from: estar;1070588So I disagree that it is a simulacrum.

Scripted (or at least, outlined) play and outcomes for dramatic effect, rather than letting the dice fall where they may, makes this a simulacrum.

They're not actually playing D&D. They're pretending to play D&D.

Chainsaw · January 05, 2019, 10:56:44 AM

Quote from: kythri;1070597Scripted (or at least, outlined) play and outcomes for dramatic effect, rather than letting the dice fall where they may, makes this a simulacrum.

They're not actually playing D&D. They're pretending to play D&D.

LoL! Is that really what they are doing? Playing people playing an RPG?

Brad · January 05, 2019, 10:58:59 AM

Quote from: Omega;1070592Depending on the presentation it can be akin to a radio drama or modern equivalent. Fun to listen to the adventure.

I get that, but it's a game; the outcome isn't predetermined. Critical Role seems to pass itself off as a game, but really it's scripted theatre. That DOES give the wrong impression to people about RPGs, and tends to lead to all sorts of issues.

kythri · January 05, 2019, 11:11:01 AM

Quote from: Chainsaw;1070599LoL! Is that really what they are doing? Playing people playing an RPG?

Not exactly - they're not actors portraying characters playing an RPG, they're actors in a reality television show. The show is pre-scripted (or, at least, pre-outlined). Everyone knows what the general outcome will be, and acts surprised when it happens.

As someone earlier mentioned, it's basically pro-"wrestling" - what happens on their game table is NOT the result of the dice as they were rolled.

Shawn Driscoll · January 05, 2019, 03:14:22 PM

Quote from: sureshot;1070587No I don't. Your point?

So I could watch your points/comments on role-playing, and subscribe. My channel is https://www.youtube.com/user/ShawnDriscollCG

S'mon · January 05, 2019, 05:08:09 PM

Quote from: kythri;1070601Not exactly - they're not actors portraying characters playing an RPG, they're actors in a reality television show. The show is pre-scripted (or, at least, pre-outlined). Everyone knows what the general outcome will be, and acts surprised when it happens.

Is there a source for this? Did they admit this?

shuddemell · January 05, 2019, 05:35:43 PM

I am somewhat curious, as this simulacrum seems to be more and more common among many hobbies. Is this really a larger societal trend that people prefer to watch an experience rather than to live it? And if so, what does it say about the current state of our culture?

Armchair Gamer · January 05, 2019, 06:12:33 PM

I must admit to curiosity about how badly this will offend the Pundit ...

[video=youtube;v5Ft_K492VI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5Ft_K492VI[/youtube]

jeff37923 · January 05, 2019, 06:19:39 PM

Quote from: Armchair Gamer;1070624I must admit to curiosity about how badly this will offend the Pundit ...

[video=youtube;v5Ft_K492VI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5Ft_K492VI[/youtube]

I was able to watch an entire 28 seconds before becoming disinterested. A new record.

jeff37923 · January 05, 2019, 06:32:09 PM

Quote from: kythri;1070597They're not actually playing D&D. They're pretending to play D&D.

Quote from: Brad;1070600I get that, but it's a game; the outcome isn't predetermined. Critical Role seems to pass itself off as a game, but really it's scripted theatre. That DOES give the wrong impression to people about RPGs, and tends to lead to all sorts of issues.

Well, to put it another way, Critical Role is not depicting a role-playing games session and instead they are depicting a storygame session of a role-playing games session. Remember how we defined story as the description of what happened during the RPG session while the RPG session was where the action took place which was the foundation of the story?

estar · January 05, 2019, 07:38:30 PM

Quote from: kythri;1070597Scripted (or at least, outlined) play and outcomes for dramatic effect, rather than letting the dice fall where they may, makes this a simulacrum.

Source?

Manic Modron · January 05, 2019, 08:26:43 PM

Quote from: shuddemell;1070623I am somewhat curious, as this simulacrum seems to be more and more common among many hobbies. Is this really a larger societal trend that people prefer to watch an experience rather than to live it? And if so, what does it say about the current state of our culture?

It is just the modern equivalent of reading model train magazines and not building model train sets.

shuddemell · January 05, 2019, 08:46:13 PM

Quote from: Manic Modron;1070629It is just the modern equivalent of reading model train magazines and not building model train sets.

To some degree that is probably true, though when I was in my carefree youth and had time to indulge in multiple hobbies, most everyone I encountered actually pursued the hobby... Built Models, Played RPGs, Played Video Games, Raced Slot Cars, Built Trains, Collected Records, etc. So is the technology enabling this behavior that would happen naturally, or is it the cause of it?

rawma · January 05, 2019, 09:16:56 PM

Quote from: Manic Modron;1070629It is just the modern equivalent of reading model train magazines and not building model train sets.

Quote from: shuddemell;1070631To some degree that is probably true, though when I was in my carefree youth and had time to indulge in multiple hobbies, most everyone I encountered actually pursued the hobby... Built Models, Played RPGs, Played Video Games, Raced Slot Cars, Built Trains, Collected Records, etc. So is the technology enabling this behavior that would happen naturally, or is it the cause of it?

When I was in high school, I read computer magazines because I couldn't afford a hobby computer. I expect that's a factor with some hobbies; actually building model train sets is undoubtedly more expensive than reading model train magazines.

That doesn't explain RPGs; I suspect many of those who just read about them spend more on rulebooks than those who are playing. The prohibitive expense may be in time and finding players... or it could be an actual social trend. Or a more visible time for a trend that's long been there. Judging from anecdotes on a discussion site is not likely to produce an answer.

kythri · January 05, 2019, 09:23:59 PM

Quote from: S'mon;1070619Is there a source for this? Did they admit this?

Quote from: estar;1070628Source?

The source would be the videos they have published. Force yourself to watch, and it becomes eminently obvious. They're publishing narrative entertainment. They're not playing a legitimate game, and letting the dice decide.