Mark
CreativeMountainGames.com
Do You Prefer a Humanocentric RPG Setting?
Don't forget to chime in on the entire RPG Survey Round-Up!
Don't forget to chime in on the entire RPG Survey Round-Up!
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Do You Prefer a Humanocentric RPG Setting?
- Thread starter Mark
- Start date
DragonLancer
Hero
Mark said:
Yes. It makes more sense for me that way since my players are all human (well, ok, maybe one of them isn't... not sure) and they understand how a human thinks. A world dominated by elves would be just as alien as one domianted by orcs or centaurs. Its easier to comprehend.
ChristianW
First Post
Not only do I prefer humanocentric, but I've run games where the only PC race was human.
It's nice to take a break from the Tolkien world model or warring orcs, elves, humans and dwarves now and again.
It's nice to take a break from the Tolkien world model or warring orcs, elves, humans and dwarves now and again.
The Thayan Menace
First Post
Huw
First Post
Yes. It's easier to play a human, 'cause that's the species we're familiar with. Everything else is merely a reflection of human or human culture.
In settings where the non-human races are truly inhuman (such as Runequest or Empire of the Petal Throne), the non-humans are next to impossible to roleplay properly as a player (though they're actually great to roleplay as a Gamesmaster, especially when players are trying to get to grips with alien cultures).
In settings where the non-human races are truly inhuman (such as Runequest or Empire of the Petal Throne), the non-humans are next to impossible to roleplay properly as a player (though they're actually great to roleplay as a Gamesmaster, especially when players are trying to get to grips with alien cultures).
Agent Oracle
First Post
Huw said:
True, true. I'm Reminded of an object i found in the Basement of Warehouse 23 (Steve Jackson Games depository of bizzare artifacts for any game setting)... let me see if i can recall...:
Warehouse 23 said:
Andor
First Post
I don't have a preference for them, but having said that...
To do a non anthropocentric game well you need to have a wealth of information in the book about the though processes and culture of the non-human races. Then all the players need to read and absorb that information and come to grips with it. It takes a lot more effort to do a non-human game well, and relatively few group are willing to put in that effort. Off the top of my head the only game that makes a real effort to get inside the heads of the non-humans is World Tree. In most games non-human races are Star Drek NS like humans with funny forehead/ears and one stereotypical racial quirk.
To do a non anthropocentric game well you need to have a wealth of information in the book about the though processes and culture of the non-human races. Then all the players need to read and absorb that information and come to grips with it. It takes a lot more effort to do a non-human game well, and relatively few group are willing to put in that effort. Off the top of my head the only game that makes a real effort to get inside the heads of the non-humans is World Tree. In most games non-human races are Star Drek NS like humans with funny forehead/ears and one stereotypical racial quirk.
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