While I played a little 1st edition AD&D, I really came into my own with 2nd edition. I turned 13 the year it was released and it was the first time in my life I had enough spending money to start buying my own books once in a while. I accumulated quite a few 2nd edition books and boxed sets by the time 1997 rolled around. I have very fond memories of those years, but I have zero desire to ever play 2nd edition AD&D again.But, on reflection, I don't know that I would, because I am pretty sure it would not be the same experience. It isn't just that post TSR D&D systems have been generally better (for some subset of definitions of "better"). It is also that those memories are just that, memories.
The main reason you can't go home again is because you're not the same person you were 5, 10, or 30 years ago. You (not me) might be able to have a good time playing 2nd edition AD&D, but I don't think it would really be the same experience for you that it was when you were 15. A few years back I ran a Cyberpunk 2020 game for the first time in twenty years and we had a good time. But the campaign's plot was a bit more sophisticated, the players were less likely to engage in stupid violent behavior, and there were elements of the game that never would have been there in 1993. One of the players had a trans character which is something I can't imagine would have happened in any game when I was a teen. We had a good time, but it wasn't the same feeling I had when I was 17.What do you think? Can you go home again? Can you return to old games and old campaigns and recapture what you felt 5 or 10 or 30 years ago? Do you, personally, feel like there is more to that desire than nostalgia?
Yeah, the main thing you realise when trying out really old computer games again is how much you appreciate modern standardised control schemes.Weirdly coincidentally timing with this blog post, although that one's more PC game focused.
I think the formative experience can be a doozy. For whatever reason, I look back fondly on my formative experiences, but dont feel like I need to replicate them. Though, im a curious person by nature and enjoy learning new experiences and ways of doing things. For me, going back would certainly be possible, but id likely need a campaign concept that leans into a particular rule set. Right tool for the right job and all that. Going back because I think it will deliver a better experience? I know the system alone cant guarantee that. I and the players involved need to be in the right mindset to make it happen.What do you think? Can you go home again? Can you return to old games and old campaigns and recapture what you felt 5 or 10 or 30 years ago? Do you, personally, feel like there is more to that desire than nostalgia?
I didn't know Grognardia was back!Weirdly coincidentally timing with this blog post, although that one's more PC game focused.
I also loved 2e, and most of my RPG experiences prior to 5e were with my old group's 1e/2e campaigns. I have a lot of great memories of those games. But no, I don't think you can really go home again. A big part of the reason for me is simply that playing with those people was a major part of it, and that's never going to happen again.I was chatting with a friend of mine yesterday and we were discussing favorite RPG experiences as GMs, and I realized most of my favorite GM moments were during the 2E era. I think that is partly because it was a long, formative era for me (mid 80s to late 2000s, through adolescence into young adulthood). I also think it is because 2E enabled the sorts of high fantasy we were aiming for, mostly by getting out of the way. (Note, I have many other great ROG memories, from many other games, right up to the present; I am just speaking in general here.)
When he asked if I would run 2E again, my kneejerk reaction was a resounding YES!, in a New York minute.
But, on reflection, I don't know that I would, because I am pretty sure it would not be the same experience. It isn't just that post TSR D&D systems have been generally better (for some subset of definitions of "better"). It is also that those memories are just that, memories. They are certainly colored by hindsight and nostalgia, and even if they are accurate I am not same as I was at that time. I would run 2E again to recapture those feelings and experiences and I don't think it is possible. I don't think you can go home again.
What do you think? Can you go home again? Can you return to old games and old campaigns and recapture what you felt 5 or 10 or 30 years ago? Do you, personally, feel like there is more to that desire than nostalgia?
One Note: This is a plus (+) thread for a simple reason -- I do not wan to talk about editions versus editions. 5E is some folks first D&D and they can be nostalgic for it. Some people played RIFTS as their first RPG, or they fell in love with Vampire The Masquerade. We won't be judging people's preferences in this thread, or questioning peoples' memories. If someone tells you they love(d) a thing, let them have that, please.
He goes on and off hiatus seemingly at random, but the blog's been pretty steadily active for at least the last few years after that really big gap. Hasn't changed much, for better or worse.I didn't know Grognardia was back!
I tend to agree. I certainly tried, but already when reading the old rule books again it became clear to me that the light-hearted spirit of a bunch of 20 somethings with a lot of time on their hand just figuring out the rules on the go could not be recovered. And that is before taking into account that we no longer live in the same city (not even in the same state, actually).The short answer is you can't. You can't step into the same river twice. This doesn't mean you can't have fun playing the old games with the old people. It just means it won't be the same. So don't try to get back that same feeling, just try to have fun now.