This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

What the fuck is this guy smoking?

Started by RPGPundit, February 04, 2008, 10:52:13 AM

Previous topic - Next topic
Print
Go Down Pages 1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 ... 11
User actions

GrimJesta

#60
February 05, 2008, 04:32:49 AM
Most horror is trivialized, probably because horror touches on shit that scares the hell out of us and on a subconscious level we trivialize it so we don't cry like little girls. I mean, Count Chocula cereal? That's just as bad as Cthulhu slippers. But that doesn't cheapen the horror when it's told right.

-=Grim=-
Quote from: Drohem;290472...there\'s always going to be someone to spew a geyser of frothy sand from their engorged vagina.  
Playing: Nothing.
Running: D&D 5e
Planning: Nothing.

David R

#61
February 05, 2008, 04:51:42 AM
Quote from: J ArcaneIt's been done in other media numerous times, so I don't see why it can't be done in roleplaying games.

Other media ? What's the matter J, don't you trust the value of an RPG...

I think you're right though. I know of many gamers who like CoC for the many reasons you mentioned but have no real interest in the Mythos....it's not "alien" enough or it's alieness does nothing to contribute to the scare factor of the setting. I for one am more than willing to explore different directions which does not include the Mythos.

Regards,
David R

Dirk Remmecke

#62
February 05, 2008, 05:09:20 AM
Quote from: Ian AbsentiaYou know what I mean, right?  It's sort of the inverse of the Peter Pan Syndrome.  Instead of never growing up yourself, you find yourself frustrated that your favorite hobby isn't changing in lock-step with you.  And I'm not referring to RPGs specifically here -- it happens with any hobby.  One day you decide that you've grown up and you look back and wonder why your hobby didn't grow up with you.

Only that I found the exact opposite happening to RPGs.

The games are growing up with their audience, maybe not in lock-step, but nearly so. Das schwarze Auge in Germany, D&D3, Vampire The Masquerade and Unknown Armies -- the games get considerably more complex, in all directions, be it rules, or shades-of-grey-morals, or "mature themes".

Today, you have to look really, really hard to find a game that Peter Pan would even begin to play.
Swords & Wizardry & Manga ... oh my.
(Beware. This is a Kickstarter link.)

Warthur

#63
February 05, 2008, 08:21:45 AM
Quote from: Pierce InverarityYou know what the crisis is about?

Nobody trusts an RPG to be an RPG any more. It must be a derivate of some other fucking thing in order to be valuable.

By itself, it is nothing.
Holy shit, someone is referring to books in a discussion about an RPG based on some author's stories? This is the end of gaming as we know it.
I am no longer posting here or reading this forum because Pundit has regularly claimed credit for keeping this community active. I am sick of his bullshit for reasons I explain here and I don\'t want to contribute to anything he considers to be a personal success on his part.

I recommend The RPG Pub as a friendly place where RPGs can be discussed and where the guiding principles of moderation are "be kind to each other" and "no politics". It\'s pretty chill so far.

Warthur

#64
February 05, 2008, 08:29:46 AM
Quote from: J ArcaneI'm very fond of the idea of alien races who really are alien in mindset, who don't even view us humans as equivalent lifeforms.  

And that whole madness thing is pretty damn cool if you ask me.  The idea that there are things and places and bits of knowledge in this world that the human mind can so little comprehend that only insanity can possibly follow from it's experience.  

I just think there's so many different things you can take from those stories and games without focusing on the particulars of a lot of bug-eyed monsters everyone's seen a million times.

Afterall, isn't that how much of the non-Lovecraft Mythos stuff got started anyway?  Taking the themes and mood and concepts, and spinning off in a million directions with it?
Yeah, Ramsey Campbell does this exceptionally well, especially in his later work (once he got the Lovecraft pastiches out of his system). "The Overnight" is incredibly subtle and has a truly Lovecraftian adversary, even though it has basically no canon Mythos references.
I am no longer posting here or reading this forum because Pundit has regularly claimed credit for keeping this community active. I am sick of his bullshit for reasons I explain here and I don\'t want to contribute to anything he considers to be a personal success on his part.

I recommend The RPG Pub as a friendly place where RPGs can be discussed and where the guiding principles of moderation are "be kind to each other" and "no politics". It\'s pretty chill so far.

jedimastert

#65
February 05, 2008, 09:24:31 AM
Quote from: J ArcaneAnd that whole madness thing is pretty damn cool if you ask me.  The idea that there are things and places and bits of knowledge in this world that the human mind can so little comprehend that only insanity can possibly follow from it's experience.  

Actually this is the reason I find Lovecraft's works insulting (well that and his prejudice). Most people do not react well to their world view being challenged or shattered, but they learn to cope and survive. People are capable of adapting. Much more so than Lovecraft gives them credit for.

Anyway, I think the poster of that rant needs to have his spirits raised...

Settembrini

#66
February 05, 2008, 09:27:57 AM
Quote from: WarthurHoly shit, someone is referring to books in a discussion about an RPG based on some author's stories? This is the end of gaming as we know it.

Actually, this is nearer to the truth than you´d be comfortable with.
If there can\'t be a TPK against the will of the players it\'s not an RPG.- Pierce Inverarity

jedimastert

#67
February 05, 2008, 09:30:35 AM
Quote from: GrimJestaMost horror is trivialized, probably because horror touches on shit that scares the hell out of us and on a subconscious level we trivialize it so we don't cry like little girls. I mean, Count Chocula cereal? That's just as bad as Cthulhu slippers. But that doesn't cheapen the horror when it's told right.

-=Grim=-

Humor is the counter to horror. As soon as you crack a joke about something it loses its power to terrify you. You may still be scared and concerned for your survival, but the "horror" is gone.

jedimastert

#68
February 05, 2008, 09:38:59 AM
Quote from: SettembriniActually, this is nearer to the truth than you´d be comfortable with.


That path leads to the dark side...the path of story gaming it is... :melodramatic:

Blackleaf

#69
February 05, 2008, 09:55:01 AM
Quote from: MelanBy having been thoroughly explored and dissected, the mythos has lost what made it alluring in the first place, and been reduced to a quaint and safe joke.

Behold: these are the dangers of "worldbuilding".

Absolutely!  This is what I was talking about in the Pit Fiend thread.  If you include all the secrets and background information on a monster -- thoroughly exploring and dissecting it -- it diminishes what made it interesting in the first place.

The Geek need to thoroughly analyze, catalogue and expand upon the minutiae of the fictional worlds they enjoy is at odds with the horror, suspense, mystery, surprise, the unknown, and sense of magic and wonder within those worlds.

Blackleaf

#70
February 05, 2008, 10:00:55 AM
Quote from: Dirk RemmeckeOnly that I found the exact opposite happening to RPGs.

The games are growing up with their audience, maybe not in lock-step, but nearly so. Das schwarze Auge in Germany, D&D3, Vampire The Masquerade and Unknown Armies -- the games get considerably more complex, in all directions, be it rules, or shades-of-grey-morals, or "mature themes".

Today, you have to look really, really hard to find a game that Peter Pan would even begin to play.

"mature themes" usually aren't. ;)

The games are often becoming more rules heavy or "crunchy", but I don't see them widely becoming more mature.

Some RPGs have shifted to the angsty teen morality of later childhood.  That doesn't make them grown up though. :)

James McMurray

#71
February 05, 2008, 10:36:28 AM
But daaad, if you don't let me borrow the sword tonight I can't go kill the draaagon. And then I'll never get a date for the prom.

Settembrini

#72
February 05, 2008, 11:14:44 AM
The complexity and maturity of old D&D and 1e gameplay is hugely underrated.
If there can\'t be a TPK against the will of the players it\'s not an RPG.- Pierce Inverarity

Thanatos02

#73
February 05, 2008, 11:20:48 AM
Quote from: SettembriniActually, this is nearer to the truth than you´d be comfortable with.

Dun dun dun... (Ominous music!)
God in the Machine.

Here's my website. It's defunct, but there's gaming stuff on it. Much of it's missing. Sorry.
www.laserprosolutions.com/aether

I've got a blog. Do you read other people's blogs? I dunno. You can say hi if you want, though, I don't mind company. It's not all gaming, though; you run the risk of running into my RL shit.
http://www.xanga.com/thanatos02

Dr Rotwang!

#74
February 05, 2008, 11:35:06 AM
What has Old Geezer written?  I'm not challenging, just -- man, I dunno what he's written.
Dr Rotwang!
...never blogs faster than he can see.
FONZITUDE RATING: 1985[/font]
Print
Go Up Pages 1 ... 3 4 5 6 7 ... 11
User actions