People wanted my advice for making good #dnd #osr #ttrpg settings. In my first video on the subject I go into the main thing a lot of would-be setting designers miss out on.

That's food for thought.  Incorporating psychology and sociology different than modern America will certainly give a setting depth and bring it to life.  It's definitely something that I would appreciate in a setting.  I'm not so sure about it being a selling point to the general public though. 

I think most Americans have very little in depth contact with other culture and little appreciation for how different people in other societies can be.  I know that I didn't til I spent two years in the Philippines.  (I can't really speak to the viewpoint of folks from other countries, but I suspect we Americans are the worst at this)  As a result many potential customers may not understand the value of or know how to use such information. 

I think you have to decide who you're writing for.  If you're writing for the "Adventures in Renfaire-land" crowd you mentioned it's a lot of work for little payoff.  If you're writing for folks who want to experience other cultures but not really be part of them (me) then there's definitely some value.  For the deep roleplaying crowd that want to roleplay as someone from another culture it's essential.  And if I were writing a book rather than a setting, I think ti would be an invaluable exercise.

Quote from: Mishihari on January 30, 2024, 04:45:31 AM
That's food for thought.  Incorporating psychology and sociology different than modern America will certainly give a setting depth and bring it to life.  It's definitely something that I would appreciate in a setting.  I'm not so sure about it being a selling point to the general public though. 

I think most Americans have very little in depth contact with other culture and little appreciation for how different people in other societies can be.  I know that I didn't til I spent two years in the Philippines.  (I can't really speak to the viewpoint of folks from other countries, but I suspect we Americans are the worst at this)  As a result many potential customers may not understand the value of or know how to use such information. 

I think you have to decide who you're writing for.  If you're writing for the "Adventures in Renfaire-land" crowd you mentioned it's a lot of work for little payoff.  If you're writing for folks who want to experience other cultures but not really be part of them (me) then there's definitely some value.  For the deep roleplaying crowd that want to roleplay as someone from another culture it's essential.  And if I were writing a book rather than a setting, I think ti would be an invaluable exercise.

Well, I'd say Ren-faire 2024 settings are little work for little payoff.
Whereas making settings that are not just seattle 2024 values in ren-faire dress requires a lot of initial work, but for a potentially bigger payoff. It requires a bit more work of both the GM and the players, who have to buy-in and invest themselves in the setting being different in values and paradigm than post-modern American values, but the payoff is that you'll truly be playing a campaign that is very different from the usual.