Video here (from Gamespot) describing what we all know: why tabletop RPGs, and even other tabletop games, give an overall better experience!

Subject comes up oft enough. Ususlly staring off with someone trying to pitch how computer board games or RPGs are better.

Basic counter is that a console or PC game lacks the tactile feel of a real game.

For RPGs also the counter that so far all PC RPGs cannot give the feel of a dymanic world that reacts to the players actions the way a GM can. There have been some good tries. but allways within the limit of some sort of framework or only in certain locales.

Also is oft the counter that tabletop RPGs are not reliant a socket or battery, etc.

Some will also counter that PC RPGs are more like reading or playing through a book and a portion have you essentially controlling an NPC whom you have no direct hand in creating, only guiding. Especially the majority of JRPGs so far.

Just my thoughts on PC vs TT

Eh,  misewell claim boats are better than cars. Two completely different mediums for two completely different experiences.

It's noteworthy in the context of appearing of a computer game site, in my opinion.  Though it's interesting that he conflates RPGs with board games and the like. Seems he values the immediate human interaction over the flexibility of RPGs?

Quote from: TristramEvans;706740Eh,  misewell claim boats are better than cars. Two completely different mediums for two completely different experiences.

But boats are better! Bleeding land-lovers, arrggh!

Quote from: dbm;706741It's noteworthy in the context of appearing of a computer game site, in my opinion.  Though it's interesting that he conflates RPGs with board games and the like. Seems he values the immediate human interaction over the flexibility of RPGs?

I consider playing video both a waste of time and a waste of money. I don't with any tabletop RPGs or even board games in general and yes I would link the two.

Yes - human interaction, you would never guess that important factor as being so important when you visit some pen & paper RPG sites, or even its importance within RPGs in general; its their supreme power - along with human imagination (and beer, pizza and chips of course)!

Quote from: TristramEvans;706740Eh,  misewell claim boats are better than cars. Two completely different mediums for two completely different experiences.

Exactly. Neither is "better", because they're different (Although similar enough that they can and should pinch ideas from each other) mediums.

Ditto board games and parlour games.

Better at what?

I know I'd much rather play NWN2 than suffer D&D 3.5 and have to negotiate all that crud myself.

They are completely different animals. Given a choice between a tabletop rpg and playing a videogame, the tabletop wins every time, so in that respect the TTRPG counts as better.

I play both for completely and utterly different reasons.

Yes, they are both entertainment, but really, beyond that its almost impossible to compare.

Tabletop games for me are social experiences that are planned and take large chunks of contiguous time.

Video games for me are solo experiences that I can pick up and put down constantly any time I have a spare 30 minutes or so.

Different time investments, different social investments, different about everything.

Quote from: Emperor Norton;706753I play both for completely and utterly different reasons.

Yes, they are both entertainment, but really, beyond that its almost impossible to compare.

Tabletop games for me are social experiences that are planned and take large chunks of contiguous time.

Video games for me are solo experiences that I can pick up and put down constantly any time I have a spare 30 minutes or so.

Different time investments, different social investments, different about everything.

Trouble I have with many current RPGs (tabletop) and especially most video games is there emphasis on killing things, usually in evermore violent colourful stupid ways. I want something else. Actually the videos games I do like (of today) tend to be sport oriented like FIFA for example. My favorite ever was Monkey Island; I'm going to say they don't make 'em like that any more or do they? I also wish (really wish) that RPGs on consoles or computers would stop calling themselves RPGs when I've yet to see any one that is not an hack'n'slash - and that includes games of yesteryear. There is little to no 'roleplaying' involved.

Quote from: elfandghost;706756Trouble I have with many current RPGs (tabletop) and especially most video games is there emphasis on killing things, usually in evermore violent colourful stupid ways. I want something else. Actually the videos games I do like (of today) tend to be sport oriented like FIFA for example. My favorite ever was Monkey Island; I'm going to say they don't make 'em like that any more or do they? I also wish (really wish) that RPGs on consoles or computers would stop calling themselves RPGs when I've yet to see any one that is not an hack'n'slash - and that includes games of yesteryear. There is little to no 'roleplaying' involved.

That is a problem with some CRPGs. But there are a few out there with a fair amount of NPC interaction, be it simple chit-chat to convoluted conversation strings. Some designers are at least making an effort to do more than hack-n-slashers. NWN 1 and 2 had a fair mix of the two. Though NWN 1 had it felt like much more character interaction.

The old SSI gold box D&D/DL/BR games had a good mix. Though the system did not shine until Unlimited Adventures. People made some rather good interaction sets with it.

The Final Fantasy games have been all over on the interaction side. Same for the older Breath of Fire, etc.

Some MUDs though have some really good conversation chains.

Though YMMV on how much interaction is sufficient.

Quote from: Omega;706776That is a problem with some CRPGs.

There is no such thing as a CRPG.  The computer can't determine if you are Roleplaying.  The computer can't RP either.  Ergo, it is just a computer game...

That being said (because it is 100% correct), it is like comparing apples & oranges.  Might as well compare Chess to an RPG...

Quote from: Arduin;706780There is no such thing as a CRPG.  The computer can't determine if you are Roleplaying.  The computer can't RP either.  Ergo, it is just a computer game...

That being said (because it is 100% correct), it is like comparing apples & oranges.  Might as well compare Chess to an RPG...

I agree. But people out there keep calling them RPGs.
Then again there are people out there calling pick-your-path books RPGs...

Quote from: Arduin;706780There is no such thing as a CRPG.  The computer can't determine if you are Roleplaying.  The computer can't RP either.  Ergo, it is just a computer game...

.

I think you need to go look up the definition of a role-playing game.  I don't care if you don't like it, but nowhere in the definition of a role-playing game does it say some other live person needs to acknowledge how you're acting.

I swear, statements like this just reek of geek elitism and are absolute bullshit.


That all being said, I much prefer face to face, because I enjoy it more.  But video games have their place.  They are super easy to just play without needing other people, no set up time, etc.

Just because I like D&D doesn't mean I don't enjoy Skyrim.  As others have said, apples and oranges.