What are some the weirdest reasons someone has given you for not buying or playing a certain game.
I had a guy @ Gencon tell me:
"I don't like Clayton Bunce and he did the maps in that book so I won't buy it"
This is after he had told me how much he liked the book, but nope, he hates Clayton Bunce. I guess I have never cared much about the cartographers in RPGs enough influence whether I buy something or not.
whats yours?
Cover art or art in general is a common item that I hear. I notice the art but it's not a big consideration to me unless it's incredible.
I see bunches of hate that is directed at games that appear to compete with a person's cherished game. It's like a "Go Team!" mentality.
off topic but related. In late elementary, Iron Man was my favorite super hero. I knew a guy who refused to read Iron Man because the way he held his hands when firing repulsar beams "looked gay."
Gamers' obsessions with things like art and bindings constantly astonish me.
I won't play the French fantasy game Prophecy because it's quasi-fascistic but then I'm seemingly the only person who identifies it as having such horrid politics.
Quote from: Nicephorusoff topic but related. In late elementary, Iron Man was my favorite super hero. I knew a guy who refused to read Iron Man because the way he held his hands when firing repulsar beams "looked gay."
Late elementary school?
Man, maybe it's a difference of age or geographic location, but that was totally a valid reason to not like a superhero in Grade 6.
Quote from: Christmas ApeMan, maybe it's a difference of age or geographic location, but that was totally a valid reason to not like a superhero in Grade 6.
It was valid at the time but it seems silly now. Plus, he was dissing my favorite comic. Besides, "gay" hands are bent palm down, not palm up.
I refused to buy Werewolf 2E because it turned into an oversized comic book. I also refuse to spend any more money on endless editions (I have 1E and got Wild West because it was less than cheap).
Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalI won't play the French fantasy game Prophecy because it's quasi-fascistic but then I'm seemingly the only person who identifies it as having such horrid politics.
Care to give us the gist of what its about?
RPGPundit
GURPS. I don't like the sound it makes when I say it out loud.
Quote from: RPGPunditCare to give us the gist of what its about?
Essentially the classes are more like guildes or castes and each class falls under the control of one particular dragon (the dragons run the world and are worshipped as gods).
In order to advance up the levels, you don't need to just have experience, you need to prove your loyalty to the dragons.
No loyalty for dragons = No advancement.
The only way to learn a profession is through the classes and you can't mix and match your skills so as to play something that doesn't clearly fit into one of the classes.
Most gamers seemingly go "Dragons... cool" but being of a contrarian temperament and of the opinion that even if God did exist, I STILL wouldn't do what he told me to, I feel that this attempt to put ideas such as class and level into a real social context results in little more than the rules being politicised.
I thought fascism was "a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition"
You know, like Iran or Venezuela.
Yeah, the Dragons acted as fascist dictators. They had (in-party) inquisitions and anyone discovered to harbour humanist sympathies was executed.
Quote from: Abyssal MawI thought fascism was "a political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition"
You know, like Iran or Venezuela.
I hope you're joking about that last example... you do know that, shithead though Hugo Chavez may be, he is the democratically elected leader of his country in free and fair (according to human rights groups including Jimmy Carter's organization) elections?
Or did you not know that? I suppose it might be easy for americans to be confused into thinking that Chavez is a dictator, since Dubya likes to pretend he is, and obviously no one freely and fairly democratically elected could be an enemy of america, right?
RPGPundit
FP had a fascinating article about Chavez's brand of democracy. If I can dig it up, I'll post an outline later tonight.
Quote from: Mystery ManGURPS. I don't like the sound it makes when I say it out loud.
Yo guy, I used to feel the exact same way, but played a game of it at a con and had an extremely good time.
Now the only things I have against gurps are steve jackson, andy hackard and the forums.
Personally I'd never buy another game that came from a company based in texas.
I have a negative reaction to games that create alternate terms for:
Game Master
Player Character
Non Player Character
Quote from: Caesar SlaadI have a negative reaction to games that create alternate terms for:
Game Master
Player Character
Non Player Character
You mean like "storyteller"?
Quote from: Dominus NoxYou mean like "storyteller"?
Yeah, like that. But there are worse.
Dungeon Master?
Seneschal?
Fate?
Control?
Director?
Marshal?
Computer?
Quote from: SosthenesDungeon Master?
Seneschal?
Fate?
Control?
Director?
Marshal?
Computer?
Personally, I've always hated all of them. My all-time most hated would have to be Keeper from Call of Cthulhu.
Game Master is fine. The hobby has developed standardized terminology for a reason.
I might allow "referee" or "judge", but only if you're a real oldster who was playing pre-AD&D, thereby earning the right to use them. :)
As for me, any of the following indicates a game that I would not only never purchase, but would actively loathe and deride:
1. The game's title, subject matter or presentation seem to me to be "arty" or pretentious in any way. This can mean a floridly abstract title ("Dogs in the Vineyard", "Don't Rest Your Head"), maudlin ad copy (My Life With Master: "If only someone loved you. . . ") or any claim to be intended for exploring "theme", "premise" or "story."
2. Players in the game have inappropriate powers that are properly reserved for the GM. Players should never at any time be able to control any characters other than their own PCs or to establish previously-unknown facts about the game world or anything in it. They should never be able to dictate their character's success at any attempted action. They should never be able to override the decisions of the GM on any matter, no matter how trivial.
Quote from: SosthenesDungeon Master?
Seneschal?
Fate?
Control?
Director?
Marshal?
Computer?
Don't forget Hollyhock God, which must win some sort of prize for godawful game terminology. I vaguely recall encountering an even worse example once, but I can't remember what it was.
Quote from: Dominus NoxPersonally I'd never buy another game that came from a company based in texas.
o.O
Fortunatly you wouldn't like my games anyway.
Just saying don't buy anything from 'Silverlion Studios" since its me, and I'm in Texas.
Quote from: hgjsDon't forget Hollyhock God, which must win some sort of prize for godawful game terminology.
The one real problem I have with HG is that it's just about impossible to translate gracefully into Finnish, even more so than most RPG terms.
Quote from: Yamo1. The game's title, subject matter or presentation seem to me to be "arty" or pretentious in any way. This can mean a floridly abstract title ("Dogs in the Vineyard", "Don't Rest Your Head"), maudlin ad copy (My Life With Master: "If only someone loved you. . . ") or any claim to be intended for exploring "theme", "premise" or "story."
I'm not so sure that "Dogs in the Vineyard" could be called abstract as such, since it refers to a very specific scene in the Bible. (Not the one in Naboth's vineyard, although that's what the title always reminds me of, not inappropriately: "Say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?' Then say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood -- yes, yours!'")
Quote from: Silverliono.O
Fortunatly you wouldn't like my games anyway.
Just saying don't buy anything from 'Silverlion Studios" since its me, and I'm in Texas.
Nothing personal, but most texans are just too radically conservative for my liking.
Christ Dominus, even when you're trying to NOT be a racist idiot you're STILL a racist idiot.
Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalChrist Dominus, even when you're trying to NOT be a racist idiot you're STILL a racist idiot.
Funny. Up until now I had never thought of Texans as a race.:D
They're not a race, their a species! A Superior species! Any real Texan will tell you that! :D
-clash
Quote from: beejazzFunny. Up until now I had never thought of Texans as a race.:D
Now you may see the wisdom that lead me to put mr. anal on my IL....
Quote from: Dominus NoxNothing personal, but most texans are just too radically conservative for my liking.
Man, I can't stand these people. All their talk about tolerance and understanding for rednecks, fat geeks, and such, and then they just turn around and heap scorn and contempt on easy targets, like conservatives and Texans!
Impressive. Not merely a racist (and almost certainly a super-size asthmatic basement dweller, from what we've seen) but a hypocrite as well, that group of people you despise more than other bigots!
Do at least try to keep your ignorant bullshit consistent.
- The Ape, engaged to a Texan
Quote from: Christmas ApeMan, I can't stand these people. All their talk about tolerance and understanding for rednecks, fat geeks, and such, and then they just turn around and heap scorn and contempt on easy targets, like conservatives and Texans!
Impressive. Not merely a racist (and almost certainly a super-size asthmatic basement dweller, from what we've seen) but a hypocrite as well, that group of people you despise more than other bigots!
Do at least try to keep your ignorant bullshit consistent.
- The Ape, engaged to a Texan
I agree. I'm a California boy who spent time in Texas during my stint in the Air Force. The people I met there were people. Nothing more, nothing less.
Stereotypes are for dumbfucks, Dominus Nox. Get out more. Travel. It's good for the soul.
Quote from: Christmas ApeImpressive. Not merely a racist
- The Ape, engaged to a Texan
RACIST!!! RACIST!!! RACIST!!!!!:sleeping:
>YAWN<. Why don't you people get a new line once in a while. Christ, you're as bas as the McArthyites were in the 50's with "COMMIE!!! COMMIE!!! COMMIE!!!"
I swear, I'm beginning to feel that "RACIST!!!" is just what some people automatically scream whenever anyone disagrees with them on any issue. It's just a mindless reflex response and should probably be relegated to the level of "background noise".
Oh yeah... I bet you'd just love that.
Quote from: Dominus NoxNow you may see the wisdom that lead me to put mr. anal on my IL....
What led me to put him on my IL was his venting about how people who don't game his way are inferior.
That's sounding awful familiar right about now...
I put everyone on ignore.
I've never ILed anyone.
Quote from: AosI put everyone on ignore.
Wow. That really is a wierd reason not to buy a game.
Quote from: Dominus NoxRACIST!!! RACIST!!! RACIST!!!!!:sleeping:
>YAWN<. Why don't you people get a new line once in a while. Christ, you're as bas as the McArthyites were in the 50's with "COMMIE!!! COMMIE!!! COMMIE!!!"
I swear, I'm beginning to feel that "RACIST!!!" is just what some people automatically scream whenever anyone disagrees with them on any issue. It's just a mindless reflex response and should probably be relegated to the level of "background noise".
Nice selective quoting, but the lion's share of my point was about calling you on being a hypocrite, rather than citing your racism. It just kind of happens that you make such big noise about being tolerant of fatties, mouthbreathers, and the raw honesty of homegrown terrorists in masks who attack and murder lone civilians in the dark, that it's sort of hard to discuss your hypocrisy without your racism getting in the way.
It makes me wonder why I bother, sometimes.
Quote from: Caesar SlaadWhat led me to put him on my IL was his venting about how people who don't game his way are inferior.
Good god, if that's really your standard, how is it that this site, RPG.net, and the Forge aren't all just big empty blank spaces for you?
RPGPundit
Who says they aren't? RPG.net got a lot more readable when I put like half the usual suspects on ignore.
I have nothinig against Texans directly... it's the Dallas Cowboys I hate. I mean, they picked up TO. That alone is enough to hate them. That most Cowboys fans are Texans is just unfortunate for Texans.
Oh, and the strangest reason I ever heard for not buying an RPG was because it is d20.
Quote from: SigmundI have nothinig against Texans directly... it's the Dallas Cowboys I hate. I mean, they picked up TO. That alone is enough to hate them. That most Cowboys fans are Texans is just unfortunate for Texans.
.
I don't like football at all. I've been trying to follow Fencing of all things. (and sadly couldn't afford lessons when I lived in Vancouver...)
Quote from: SilverlionI don't like football at all. I've been trying to follow Fencing of all things. (and sadly couldn't afford lessons when I lived in Vancouver...)
Well, I respect your taste in sports....
Quote from: SigmundOh, and the strangest reason I ever heard for not buying an RPG was because it is d20.
An on topic statement.
You're this lurker's friend.
Strangest reason I heard for someone not buying a game is because I wouldn't be running it. I've got mixed feelings on that one.
Quote from: SigmundOh, and the strangest reason I ever heard for not buying an RPG was because it is d20.
???
Surely not liking the system is a good reason for not liking or buying a game?
Quote from: Mr. Analytical???
Surely not liking the system is a good reason for not liking or buying a game?
Well, people I often encounter saying this don't seem to have checked out the system. It's usually a d20-hate thing. I can tell ya, I have several d20 based games (DnD, True20, M&M, Spycraft, d20 Modern, CoC, Iron Heroes, Perfect20, Everquest RPG, Wheel of Time) and they are very very different. I mean to the point of truely being idfferent games. To pass on one or all of them simply because they were derived from d20 DnD is silly to me. Maybe I need to get out more.
Quote from: beejazzAn on topic statement.
You're this lurker's friend.
Strangest reason I heard for someone not buying a game is because I wouldn't be running it. I've got mixed feelings on that one.
One can never have too many friends. :)
That person sounds like someone who never plans to run a game.
Quote from: SigmundWell, people I often encounter saying this don't seem to have checked out the system. It's usually a d20-hate thing. I can tell ya, I have several d20 based games (DnD, True20, M&M, Spycraft, d20 Modern, CoC, Iron Heroes, Perfect20, Everquest RPG, Wheel of Time) and they are very very different. I mean to the point of truely being idfferent games. To pass on one or all of them simply because they were derived from d20 DnD is silly to me. Maybe I need to get out more.
:shrug: I'd pass on any game which used feats or somerthing analogous.
Quote from: Mr. Analytical:shrug: I'd pass on any game which used feats or somerthing analogous.
Why is that? Just curious.
Quote from: Mr. Analytical:shrug: I'd pass on any game which used feats or somerthing analogous.
That's ok.... more for the rest of us.
Quote from: AosWhy is that? Just curious.
I don't like having to look up stuff during play and I think that type of system is aesthetically untidy.
Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalI don't like having to look up stuff during play and I think that type of system is aesthetically untidy.
well I can totally understand that. As a matter of fact, I pretty much make my players write down the feat description on a seprate sheet just to avoid too much page flipping during actual game play. Really though, the only time looking stuff up seems to be a problem is during combat.
More questions: Given this, how do you feel about skills? What do you mean by "aesthtically untidy"? What system are you using?
I'm currently playing Pendragon but in recent times I've played mostly BRP.
What I mean by aesthetically untidy is that feats and powers based on skills tend to be exceptions to the rules. So you have dozens of pages describing the game's rules and then you have such and such a power that work differently.
Skills are fine as long as they're part of a unified resultion system.
As a GM I don't like feats because I don't like having to read or learn crunch and as a player I don't like them because I find that aspect of character creation quite dull.
Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalI'm currently playing Pendragon but in recent times I've played mostly BRP.
What I mean by aesthetically untidy is that feats and powers based on skills tend to be exceptions to the rules. So you have dozens of pages describing the game's rules and then you have such and such a power that work differently.
Skills are fine as long as they're part of a unified resultion system.
As a GM I don't like feats because I don't like having to read or learn crunch and as a player I don't like them because I find that aspect of character creation quite dull.
I can actually get behind pretty much all this. As a discaimer I will say that I don't/won't play straight up d20. I think it is a crazy mess. However, and this is not an attempt at conversion, I really like True20. It has very simple mechanics, which in turn leads to simplification of the feats. Also as far as I can tell the feats in True20 DO mesh with the core mechanics fairly well.
Btw, I think BRP is a pretty good system, but I've never played or even laid eyes on Pendragon.
Pendragon's a damn good game.
I bought it when the 4th edition came out AAAAGES ago but didn't do anything with it apart from marvel at how nice the paper smelled. Then I ran about 3 games of it summer before last and enjoyed it but when I started playing it, it was like "Welcome home!" I think it is officially my favourite system.
I just wish Chaosium had realised the game's potential flexibility later and allowed you to play in loads of different settings (like a musketeers one as Balbinus mentionned or feudal Japan or the Napoleonic era).