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Nemesis of the Sandbox: Video-game-itus

Started by mcbobbo, May 28, 2014, 09:02:01 AM

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Ravenswing

#45
June 02, 2014, 06:37:52 PM
Quote from: Ladybird;754810I get what you're saying, but it's a bit "guys, you're having the wrong type of fun"; at the moment it sounds like they're enjoying themselves, and that's the important thing.

These messages, if they really need to be expressed, are best expressed in-game; like, have them find someone who can make healing potions (Reasonably) quickly to order, or show them an NPC trying the direct approach to an assault and failing, or have some NPC's bicker about the relative merits of different "brands" of healing potion (They're obviously exactly the same, but it shows that they're not too uncommon).
The flip side of that, though, is that a lot of people are firmly welded into their paradigm, and we've all seen cases where folks just had no idea that any other way of doing things was conceivable.

That being said, I'd much rather just come out and explain how my gaming style worked, rather than expect people to infer it from the actions or speeches of NPCs, who aren't after all guaranteed to be sensible, sane or reflect my POV.
This was a cool site, until it became an echo chamber for whiners screeching about how the "Evul SJWs are TAKING OVAH!!!" every time any RPG book included a non-"traditional" NPC or concept, or their MAGA peeners got in a twist. You're in luck, drama queens: the Taliban is hiring.

Simlasa

#46
June 02, 2014, 08:17:50 PM
Quote from: Ravenswing;754943That being said, I'd much rather just come out and explain how my gaming style worked, rather than expect people to infer it from the actions or speeches of NPCs, who aren't after all guaranteed to be sensible, sane or reflect my POV.
Oh yeah, this GM gave me a little speech before we got started... and play has been pretty much just as he promised, tough but fair sandbox.
There was also a woman who joined us, and she had never played anything but CRPGs... so right at the start we made it clear how things might differ. She actually did really well. In her first combat she was quick to make use of tactics that wouldn't have been available in most videogames... and that didn't spring off of any particular power on her character sheet either.

Spinachcat

#47
June 03, 2014, 02:43:41 AM
Quote from: mcbobbo;7534032) Video games are ruining our youth.  90% serious on that one.  For example, when randomly generated treasure included 'dust of illusion' the party treated it as a 'red key card'.  "What does this unlock?" And "better save this for the right moment."  Their imaginations seem stunted to me.  Maybe it was always there and I just never saw it before.

Seen this one for decades. And I suspect its not videogames, but all story-media. It's probably the effect of Chekov's Gun. An item would not given focus unless it had importance. AKA, in almost every movie, book and comic, if the hero finds Item X, then sometime before the end of the story, the hero will use Item X to save the day.

Of course, this breaks down in RPGs where you can get random treasure.

mcbobbo

#48
June 03, 2014, 09:38:32 AM
Quote from: Spinachcat;755007Seen this one for decades. And I suspect its not videogames, but all story-media. It's probably the effect of Chekov's Gun. An item would not given focus unless it had importance. AKA, in almost every movie, book and comic, if the hero finds Item X, then sometime before the end of the story, the hero will use Item X to save the day.

Of course, this breaks down in RPGs where you can get random treasure.

Excellent point.  Still I'd emphasize games as media that rewards certain patterns of thought.  But you're right.
"It is the mark of an [intelligent] mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
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