Talking smack: "Go Play"

RPGPundit · October 07, 2006, 12:11:40 PM

Quote from: BalbinusIt's a question of tone, if you read it like a cheerleader "gooooo, play" as in play is great, then it makes sense. If you read it in the imperative, "go play, now!" then it is less positive.

It was meant in the same way you'd say go team or go the Redsox or whatever. Not as an order.

I read it as "I'm on a forum about RPGs, yet I have this icon to try to show off to people that I do in fact play (whether I do in reality or not), so that they can see that I'm a special person who is way more authentic than they are, and clearly I am up-to-the-minute on what is fashionable with the cool crowd; I really don't give a shit about "going" or "playing"; what I do want is for you to be impressed with my coolness, in-ness, and intellect for supporting this clearly brilliant movement".

RPGPundit

Maddman · October 07, 2006, 12:19:09 PM

Quote from: Andy KYes, actually, you are wrong.

It's a sticker to put on your car to recognize other gamers. That's all. Nothing more (though some people took it upon themselves to make it mean more).

So all your other comments? Yeah, pretty much not applicable. Sorry.

-Andy

Why on earth would you want random gamers to recognzie you as one of their own. *shudder*.

A wise man once said that gaming with strangers is only a slightly better idea than taking candy from them.

David R · October 07, 2006, 12:24:25 PM

I thought this whole Go Play thing came about as a reminder to folks who spend a lot of time talking about theory and stuff, to well you know,go play. It's like a group of friends who are talking about gaming instead of actually gaming. Sometimes you get caught up in the talk and the gaming starts to take a back seat.

As for the whole recognize other gamers bit - okay sure, don't really see a problem with that. I think the problem is that the go play symbol is associated with a particular kind of gamer, so that may be why folks have a problem with it.

Regards,
David R

Bagpuss · October 07, 2006, 12:27:06 PM

Quote from: mattormegWhat's the deal with this "Go Play" thing?

What "Go Play" thing?

mattormeg · October 07, 2006, 12:35:09 PM

Quote from: Andy KYes, actually, you are wrong.

It's a sticker to put on your car to recognize other gamers. That's all. Nothing more (though some people took it upon themselves to make it mean more).

So all your other comments? Yeah, pretty much not applicable. Sorry.

-Andy

So if the "Go Play" concept is nothing more than a symbol for gamers to recognize one another, then why have other posters expressed that it means something more to them? This, at least, seems to indicate that I'm not the only one who reads it this way.

For the record, I'm not trashing it despite the "talking smack" title of this thread, so I don't know why I'm catching you at your most flippant and dismissive. Still, if that's the way that you feel, I appreciate you responding to the thread, and encourage you to "Go Play" now.

Maddman · October 07, 2006, 12:35:29 PM

Quote from: BagpussWhat "Go Play" thing?

It's the unstoppable internet meme that consists of a few avatars and a stickied thread on RPGnet.

mattormeg · October 07, 2006, 12:36:35 PM

Quote from: BalbinusAndy, I appreciate that was the original idea, but that hasn't got much to do with the online usage does it? Regardless of the original idea, for which hopefully it is still being used, it also has quite another use now and I think that's what Mattormeg was talking about.

After all, all these avatars, they're online things aren't they? On rpg.net there was a whole thread with avatars being designed for people to use, online again.

So yeah, your point is right but it's also wrong. The original intent and the online variant are not the same thing and Mattormeg was talking about the online variant, though the offline purpose might also be interesting and is worth noting in passing.

Bingo.

jhkim · October 07, 2006, 12:57:37 PM

Quote from: RPGPunditI read it as "I'm on a forum about RPGs, yet I have this icon to try to show off to people that I do in fact play (whether I do in reality or not), so that they can see that I'm a special person who is way more authentic than they are, and clearly I am up-to-the-minute on what is fashionable with the cool crowd; I really don't give a shit about "going" or "playing"; what I do want is for you to be impressed with my coolness, in-ness, and intellect for supporting this clearly brilliant movement".

You know, given the frequentcy of this answer, it might be simpler if you were to list the things which do not indicate that one is a pretentious swine.

John Morrow · October 07, 2006, 01:19:41 PM

Quote from: Elliot WilenEh, the green background and triangle, both of which are symbols of "go!" in the imperative (one for automobile drivers, the other for audiovideo interfaces), don't convey the "goooo, play" concept very well.

I enjoy trying to figure out the iconography on stickers with logos identifying varoius subcutlures. If I saw that logo on a sticker and didn't know what it was, my first guess would be "gay environmentalist". Seriously.

ColonelHardisson · October 07, 2006, 01:24:24 PM

It seems like a handy thing for real-world use, as it can help gamers find and identify each other. This is useful for those who have moved into a new area or have lost their gaming group and are looking for others to game with. I would assume that anyone using the symbol is effectively saying "I am a gamer. If you are too, introduce yourself and we'll shoot the shit." It's a good icebreaker.

But I don't understand the point of using it online. It's pretty easy to Google up just about any online gaming site you might be looking for. So if one wants to use it as an avatar or in a sig, well, OK, but beyond that? :shrug:

Imperator · October 07, 2006, 01:26:41 PM

Quote from: jhkimYou know, given the frequentcy of this answer, it might be simpler if you were to list the things which do not indicate that one is a pretentious swine.

You cannot escape. We all operate under the Swine assumption: you are a Swine until the contrary is proved

Zachary The First · October 07, 2006, 02:04:37 PM

Who came up with "Go Play...In Traffic"? I thought that was cute.

Vellorian · October 07, 2006, 02:06:00 PM

It's yet another example of the non-conformists all conforming to one another.

John Morrow · October 07, 2006, 02:19:37 PM

Quote from: Zachary The FirstWho came up with "Go Play...In Traffic"? I thought that was cute.

Honestly, I think your "Go Shower" is the best. I think that would do a great deal to help the hobby.

But triangle? Gay. Green? Environmentalist. In isolation, I doubt most people who didn' t know what it was would think "play button", nevermind "go play role-playing games".

Years ago, I think it was Mike Stackpole that suggested a similar gamer identification logo to put on car windows and such. It was a hexagon with a chess knight in it. At least that said "gamer" to those who know the hobby but not the symbol, though not necessarily "role-player". It didn't get any traction and I don't expect this attempt to, either.

Zachary The First · October 07, 2006, 02:27:00 PM

Quote from: John MorrowHonestly, I think your "Go Shower" is the best. I think that would do a great deal to help the hobby.

I think it's a far more practical and useful reminder, in any case. Our very own Settembrini did up the avatar for me.

EDIT: I'd love to get a "Go Practice Proper Hygiene" Drive going amongst gamers, which I think would do more for our hobby than any inner-circle identity or general hobby logo would (maybe we should record some commercials for some gamer podcasts/radio), but I'm sure just for suggesting such a drastic and draconian measure I am now fascist elitist scum.