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Wierd ideas about roleplaying you've seen on other sites.

Started by J Arcane, February 21, 2008, 02:47:44 PM

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J Arcane

February 21, 2008, 02:47:44 PM
I've just been told, for the second time, by a second poster, that apparently D&D is only good for telling stories and is totally awful as a game.

I find this statement amusing on so very, very many levels.
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blakkie

#1
February 21, 2008, 02:53:59 PM
That is wierd.
"Because honestly? I have no idea what you do. None." - Pierce Inverarity

Blackleaf

#2
February 21, 2008, 02:57:23 PM
I don't agree with that statement (particularly the first half), but it really does depend on what your definition of "a game" is.

If your definition of a game requires a way to win or lose, then there are some questions to ask about how you do that in D&D (or any RPG).

So it depends on whether you think "playing house" is a game, or if you think a game is something more structured, like chess.

J Arcane

#3
February 21, 2008, 03:01:31 PM
Quote from: StuartI don't agree with that statement (particularly the first half), but it really does depend on what your definition of "a game" is.

If your definition of a game requires a way to win or lose, then there are some questions to ask about how you do that in D&D (or any RPG).

So it depends on whether you think "playing house" is a game, or if you think a game is something more structured, like chess.
No no, it's not that.  Think more in terms of all the typical criticism of a "story game", suddenly being applied, with a straight face, to D&D.
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VBWyrde

#4
February 21, 2008, 03:05:46 PM
Quote from: J ArcaneNo no, it's not that.  Think more in terms of all the typical criticism of a "story game", suddenly being applied, with a straight face, to D&D.

Well, I have always thought of D&D (at least my homebrew based on D&D e1 version) as a Story Game.   That goes back to 1978 when I started.   But I have also always thought of it as a game with Win/Lose conditions.  The Characters Win combats and gain treasures and Experience, or they Lose combats and die.   As far as I can tell it's great at both, simultaneously.  Hmmm... maybe I'm out of the loop.  :deflated:
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blakkie

#5
February 21, 2008, 03:08:04 PM
Quote from: VBWyrdeWell, I have always thought of D&D (at least my homebrew based on D&D e1 version) as a Story Game.   That goes back to 1978 when I started.   But I have also always thought of it as a game with Win/Lose conditions.  The Characters Win combats and gain treasures and Experience, or they Lose combats and die.   As far as I can tell it's great at both, simultaneously.  Hmmm... maybe I'm out of the loop.  :deflated:
You just aren't hip to the "story game" slur. :hehe: And I have seen it used is some very wierd ways to a lot of RPGs but I don't ever recall it being used for D&D.
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VBWyrde

#6
February 21, 2008, 03:11:31 PM
Quote from: blakkieYou just aren't hip to the "story game" slur. :hehe: And I have seen it used is some very wierd ways to a lot of RPGs but I don't ever recall it being used for D&D.

But whenever anyone all along would ask me... so what is RPG anyway?  I would answer... well it's a collaborative Story Game... and then they would go ... oooooh... that sounds interesting... and I'd have a new player.   hrmmm... when did it become a slur again?   I think I missed that part.
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James J Skach

#7
February 21, 2008, 03:16:48 PM
I once heard about these guys who think in terms of "Creative Agendas" and "Conflict Resolution."

The things you here about on the Internet....bizarre... :D
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James J Skach

#8
February 21, 2008, 03:19:51 PM
I could see using D&D, particularly earlier versions, as a "Story Game." I don't like the term now as it takes in all kinds of baggage (unfortunately, IMHO).
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blakkie

#9
February 21, 2008, 03:19:59 PM
Quote from: VBWyrdeBut whenever anyone all along would ask me... so what is RPG anyway?  I would answer... well it's a collaborative Story Game... and then they would go ... oooooh... that sounds interesting... and I'd have a new player.   hrmmm... when did it become a slur again?   I think I missed that part.
I'm not sure. If I knew I'd send Pundits psychotic timecop back to snuff it out. ;)
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KrakaJak

#10
February 21, 2008, 03:44:39 PM
Not on the internet, but at work recently someone asked me if RPG's were "those games where you kill your parents?".

Seriously? Seriously.
-Jak
 
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VBWyrde

#11
February 21, 2008, 03:45:50 PM
Quote from: blakkieI'm not sure. If I knew I'd send Pundits psychotic timecop back to snuff it out. ;)

Well that does it.  I'm reclaiming Story Game from the abyss of Hated Phrases.  Fuck that, I say.   I officially don't give a crap who has extra baggage about it.   It's *my* old phrase and I'm using it.  So there.

D&D is a Story Game and a damn good one.

Edit:  please don't kill me.  kthnx.
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Abyssal Maw

#12
February 21, 2008, 03:56:17 PM
Quote from: VBWyrdeWell that does it.  I'm reclaiming Story Game from the abyss of Hated Phrases.  Fuck that, I say.   I officially don't give a crap who has extra baggage about it.   It's *my* old phrase and I'm using it.  So there.

D&D is a Story Game and a damn good one.

Edit:  please don't kill me.  kthnx.

Actually, I applaud you. Because the current usage of "story game" applies to neither stories nor games, but rather describe psychodrama exercises meant to enable participants to tackle moral and social issues through improvisational performance.

Rather than, you know, a game you play wherein characters controlled by players play through a sequence of events (adventures and encounters) that eventually gives rise to a campaign story.
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blakkie

#13
February 21, 2008, 03:59:00 PM
Quote from: Abyssal MawActually, I applaud you. Because the current usage of "story game" applies to neither stories nor games, but rather describe psychodrama exercises meant to enable participants to tackle moral and social issues through improvisational performance.

Rather than, you know, a game you play wherein characters controlled by players play through a sequence of events (adventures and encounters) that eventually gives rise to a campaign story.
....and thus we are all witness to the conception of the "short story game" slur! Makes sense? No but when has that been a barrier! :haw:
"Because honestly? I have no idea what you do. None." - Pierce Inverarity

Blackleaf

#14
February 21, 2008, 04:21:12 PM
Quote from: Abyssal MawRather than, you know, a game you play wherein characters controlled by players play through a sequence of events (adventures and encounters) that eventually gives rise to a campaign story.

Or even a game in which you win or lose based on your storytelling ability (rather than your resource management skills and luck with dice).
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