We've heard of GNS -- Gamist/Narrative/Simulationist. I leave debate of its validity to the thousands of words, threads and invectives already dedicated to it, and purposefully take no relative stance myself. Its place in this argument is neutral and illustrative, nothing more.
I propose a different theory of gaming, and, in honor of Jeff Rients, name it
GFS Theory. The "G" stands for "Giant", the "F" stands for "Fucking", and the "S" stands for "Spiders".
The theory's basic tenets:
- Holy shit!
- Giant fucking spiders!
- We're in trouble if we don't think of something!
- Oh, no, they got the professor!
Its use should be obvious. I'd sit around and expound upon it from my leather setee, but I'm going to take my kid to Grandma's so I can go get a haircut and visit the Red Cross Book Fair. Plus, I got a game tonight.
I'm actually a proponent of GNU.
As in "what would I rather do? play this game, or stick my head up a Gnu's arse?" You'll find it's useful in helping disfunctional gamers to improve their game.
Dude, if I had known the mileage you've gotten out of those three words I would have written them ages ago.
Point 4 cracked my ass up.
I've always assumed that GNS stood for "Got No Sense" theory.
As in, "Why the hell am I even worrying about this crap? Man, I must got no sense at all."
Word, Homey. Or...whatever the kids say, I don't watch the MTV. And I forgot the coupon so no haircut.
GNU is a great model of gaming-related thought as well. I applaud it and encourage its dissemination throughout the land.
That Dr. Rotwang, he's the coolest guy I know!
Quote from: fonkaygarryThat Dr. Rotwang, he's the coolest guy I know!
It's the tie.
As much as I love this conversation there's not enough bickering over obscure terminology. I mean, what does
spiders mean anyway? It sounds like it has a great deal to do with humanity's great search for the perfect dice collection.
Quote from: JamesVIt's the tie.
As much as I love this conversation there's not enough bickering over obscure terminology. I mean, what does spiders mean anyway? It sounds like it has a great deal to do with humanity's great search for the perfect dice collection.
Fool! Spiders obviously refers to the dual Tolkeinian fallacy/drow fanboyism and why the fuck that has anything to do with EVERYTHING. Your experiences with Eight Legged Freaks means nothing, NUB!
Better?
I will withhold the link of doom, which leads to erotic, giant spider based fiction.
Quote from: fonkaygarryI will withhold the link of doom, which leads to erotic, giant spider based fiction.
:eyecrazy: That is the worst sentence I have ever read. I cast thee
out!!
Point 4 pretty much clinches it for me.
This got me thinking about this Blogger site I stumbled upon the other day. I'm pretty sure the site (http://indiegamingscene.blogspot.com/) has to be a joke (especially those definitions of what GNS stands for), because I can't imagine anyone writing seriously about this crap:
Quote The Right Gaming Theory
A lot of people gripe about G/N/S theory (for those of you that don't know, G/N/S stands for Gamerist, Narrationist, and Simulationalist), and I can partly understand that. I've read the original G/N/S essay and the accompanying 124 vital tie-ins that the Forge people said I had to read to get it, but after discussing it with Professor Curtis, I now feel it is a little too elementary for my tastes. Professor Curtis, when he isn't busy these days working through Philosophy 102 (I guess that's why he's the prof and not me, huh?) has a different classification theory for games that I feel works a bit better:
Correctism: Playing the correct games correctly; i.e. exploring deep social and moral themes, self-publishing games, ensuring said games are profound enough. Games in this category: Professor Curtis' games (inclusive), occasional Forge games.
Pseudo-Correctism: Playing games that are almost correct, but feature some form of combat or don't explore social themes and issues deeply enough or sacrifice profundity for entertainment. Games in this category: Capes, The Shadow of Yesterday.
Wrongist: Playing games that are the correct games incorrectly. Examples: having fun killing people in Dogs in the Vineyard, playing or translating Nobilis in plain English.
Bankruptism: Playing games that lead to emotional and/or mental bankruptcy, or discourage people from enjoying more artistically important RPGs. Examples: Anything from Wizards of the Coast, Palladium, Steve Jackson Games, White Wolf (except Exalted, of course), and Hackmaster (which I hate to even be associated with by typing its name out).
Now, any game you play can be defined in those terms, and if you can't do so, you're likely doing something wrong.
Quote from: fonkaygarryI will withhold the link of doom, which leads to erotic, giant spider based fiction.
At least it isn't DragonEarth.
God that thread went some awful places.
Quote from: beejazzAt least it isn't DragonEarth.
God that thread went some awful places.
East St. Louis awful.
Quote from: Zachary The FirstThis got me thinking about this Blogger site I stumbled upon the other day. I'm pretty sure the site (http://indiegamingscene.blogspot.com/) has to be a joke (especially those definitions of what GNS stands for), because I can't imagine anyone writing seriously about this crap:
Oh my God! That site is fuckin'
hilarious!
And yes, I also read it as a joke. I mean ... heh ... it'd be a little on the crazy-woo-woo side to read it as anything else.
People don't actually talk like this. Honest. It's a caricature of the way theorists are viewed by some of the more extreme theory-bashers. But funnnnnny! :D
Quote from: TonyLBOh my God! That site is fuckin' hilarious!
And yes, I also read it as a joke. I mean ... heh ... it'd be a little on the crazy-woo-woo side to read it as anything else.
People don't actually talk like this. Honest. It's a caricature of the way theorists are viewed by some of the more extreme theory-bashers. But funnnnnny! :D
Well, you know someone will likely take it as that. I liked this quote:
QuoteAnyhow, I'm helping him playtest his game Limbo Fever, which is all about the choices contestants in a dance competition face; basically, it all comes down to the question "how low can you go?". We're also using it to explore some heavy personal stuff. There was a moment where my Venezuelan limbo king dealt with his alternative sexuality, which was really a powerful moment at our table. I didn't see the game going that way, but the Professor threw it in there. That's the great thing about our Forge and indie games—unlike some other systems I can think of that are extremely popular and have over 60% of the market share, we can introduce and explore different "themes" to our games any time we want!
He must like you, Tony...Capes got mentioned, even if it is an example of "Pseudo-Correctionism". :D
Quote from: Zachary The FirstWell, you know someone will likely take it as that.
You know, someone probably will... which, again, funny!
Quote from: Zachary The FirstHe must like you, Tony...Capes got mentioned, even if it is an example of "Pseudo-Correctionism". :D
I know! How cool is that?
Zach, you are ultra-cool.
Look here for the adventure gaming-furry crossover version of Limbo-Fever:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z63SvpFZMD0
Holy shit, Zachary. Thanks for that link!
Quote from: Zachary The FirstI'm pretty sure the site (http://indiegamingscene.blogspot.com/)
-- JUST GOT BOOKMARKED!!!
I demand to know Cornell Richardson's take on Furry Pirates RPG. I feel its loyalty to the tropes of anthro storytelling opens up a new dimension in which to explore the lost potential of furry fandom.
If only we knew how to reach it... :gloomy:
Quote from: fonkaygarryI demand to know Cornell Richardson's take on Furry Pirates RPG. I feel its loyalty to the tropes of anthro storytelling opens up a new dimension in which to explore the lost potential of furry fandom.
If only we knew how to reach it... :gloomy:
He has his email address (indie.gamer.site@gmail.com) on site. I'm trying to think of a good question to send him, perhaps a finer point of theory. :)
I prefer the GNZ Theory of roleplaying games. Just read throught the setting (as we all know system isn't really that important), then compare to the following statement.
Got No Zombies.
If the answer is True then it's crap.