I don't think we've defined what characteristics "they" have. It's entirely possible you've misinterpreted other people's behavior, that you describe behavior in this way that someone else wouldn't, or that you are mistaking what I and others are trying to say.
I've played with at least 3 of this type of player. They are the kind of player that believes that people who play weak characters are better roleplayers than those who play powerful ones. They are the kind of player that uses the term "rollplaying" as a slur. They are the type of player that thinks powergaming is inherently wrong. They are the reason the Stormwind Fallacy exists.
If you've seen anybody that uses terms like munchkin, rollplaying, etc frequently, you may be looking at one of these people. In a regular, mixed group of players they'll be somewhat functional. They'll butt heads with any powergamers in the group, but the presence of level headed players in the midground between the extreme playstyles will usually keep it from getting too far.
If one of these guys ends up in a powergamer heavy group though, they can become EXTREMELY petty and disruptive, just as bad as when a powergamer plays in a group that's otherwise into "deep roleplaying, never touch the dice" type of play.
I'm going to go with the theory you are misinterpreting behavior, because the motivations of the person you are describing sound incomprehensible to me if you are really giving them the benefit of the doubt. On the other hand, if I assume you are distorting the account because of your own unconscious bias, I find it easy to believe you are simply experiencing a clash of style, values, and goals, combined with some unproductive group dynamics.
As far as being unable to accept that people create characters for different reasons, and thus maybe it's my fault, I can easily accept that people create characters for different reasons. However, if your reason is opposed to the reasons of the rest of the players, you are going to be a problem.
Right. Whereas, if your reasons are simply different, that shouldn't be a problem. So if a person wishes to make a certain style of character for roleplaying reasons, different motivations than the rest of the group, and other people are opposed to these reasons... I think that means the problem principally resides in the other players. I can't tell someone their character isn't fun to them, but I can tell someon they are being aggressive and that their attitude is interfering with their ability to relate to others.
If I wind up in a group that doesn't like powergaming, I either leave the group or I create a character that's weaker than I normally would(assuming there's something else compelling enough about he game for me to justify playing in it). It is unreasonable for one person to try to force his preferences on 4 people, even when I'm that one person.
It's unreasonable for four people to force their preferences on one. Reason does not submit to a majority vote. According to these rules, an exactly divided group would consist entirely of people who were being "unreasonable." How can that possibly be?
I think you are happy being a powergamer, and that dealing with non-powergamers is uncomfortable to you. When playing with non-powergamers, you do not modify your attitude, you simply dial your attitude down a notch, and when you play with powergamers, you feel justified in inflicting your viewpoint on non-powers in the group. It's pretty clear that you think powergaming is better and non-powergaming is worse. Correct me if I have misunderstood your position in some way.
I can think of no logical reason why a non-powergamer would be destined to butt heads with powergamers.
