When Worlds Collide ... Different Play Styles and Gamer Rage

[S'mon]

What game is it? If it's 4e D&D the younger players would seem to be playing it closer to designer's intent, whereas 3e IME favours a cautious approach because first strike is so overwhelming. With older editions the best approach depends more on the DM.

 

[Jhaelen]

If you were behind my DM screen, how would you proceed with this situation?

Invite everyone to a discussion to decide how to proceed. Give everyone a chance to talk about their preferences, what they expect from the game, and see if there's a chance of finding a middle-ground that is acceptable for all of them.

If you manage to find a compromise, have another game session or two to see if things have improved. If they haven't, dissolve the group and look for new players to complement one or both factions and continue playing with one or both new groups.

 

[amerigoV]

If you were behind my DM screen, how would you proceed with this situation?

Retreater

Survivor D&D! You already have the two tribes!

An interesting experiment might be to take each subgroup through a short scenario and video it. Give the video to the other group and let them see how each style works (reckless fun vs. tried and true). Maybe each group could learn something from each other.

In a way, I am part of two groups and I see a similar situation. One is a group of long-time players and bringing in new blood is a huge challenge. So many inside jokes. The group has problems (well, I think they do, but that may just be me) but change is painful. I am in their age group (greybeard) but we just seems worlds apart.

I play/GM another group that is younger, but still veteran. That group hums quite nicely. A nice balance of enthusiasm and experience.

Well, enough rambling. If you can get your group to mix, then your overall experience will be great. I do not know what will open the older group's eyes, but the enthusiasm of less jaded gamers keeps the game fun, IMO.

One other option that may backfire - change genres. If the vets are stuck in a rut, throwing them in something completely different might allow them to recapture some of that old energy. One the other hand, they might fight you tooth and nail and it all might just blow up.

 

[Retreater]

What game is it?

We're playing Pathfinder, though I think the issues with gamer personality conflicts would transcend editions or game systems.

My first inclination would be to split the group. Though after talking to some of the players, it looks like we wouldn't have enough players to form a "cautious" group (the neutral guy prefers a more loose - or at least -less angry game table.)

Two of the older players - due to various circumstances (work, families, etc.) - I don't really talk to much IRL, though I can talk to them via email.

Retreater

 

[Diamond Cross]

It's not the play styles that are not meshing. The older group is the one telling the younger group to run their characters according to how the older group thinks those characters should be run.

That's a big no-no.

Any player should be allowed to run their character in a way that they have fun with, and should not be forced to be a cookie-cutter to another player's wishes. I had enough of that crap with WoW.

It is the older players that are out of line.

Plus, one shouldn't give unsolicited advice. If the younger players asked for help then it would be a different story, but it's the older players that are driving the hostility. They are the ones that have to be dealt with.

But I'm sorry, I don't have a good solution to the problem other than to split them apart. Because usually alpha male types never want to let other people be themselves and demand obedience to how they think things should be.

 

[the Jester]

It's not the play styles that are not meshing. The older group is the one telling the younger group to run their characters according to how the older group thinks those characters should be run.

This. As a dm, I'd have shut this down quite a while ago. I don't like it when one player (or group of players) tries to run another player's (or group of players') character(s). That's one of the cardinal sins of rpg playing, imho- and it's the same for dms too! "That's my character" is, to me, a solid black Do-Not-Cross-Unless-You-Mind-Control-Me line.

 

[knifie_sp00nie]

So what are the young people doing that's annoying the old people? I could see the old people searching for traps every five feet and assuming everything else is trapped or cursed or out to get them. If that's the case they should remove stick from orifice.

Or are the young people just charging into battle without thinking or giving a token nod to diplomacy? That seems easy enough to discuss. If anything, having new players sounds great. The game and experiences are still new for them.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

Most of the time I do not believe that anyone should tell anyone else how to play their character. But it strikes me that will require face to face conversation to resolve. Too much is lost in email to make it a good medium to resolve this kind of issue.
Sacrifice a session to get a resolution.

 

[renau1g]

Hmmm well I have little advice, so instead I'll distract you all with an appropriate song while I make my escape

YouTube - Powerman 5000 - When Worlds Collide

 

[Retreater]

Update:
I tried discussing the issue with "neutral guy" and he said that he's noticed the same thing about one of the older guys in particular - the same guy I noticed as being the most insulting. After talking to the "young 'uns" they said it's mostly that same guy who's causing the trouble.

So now I'm just thinking about telling this guy to hit the road until he can learn some common courtesy and manners.

Retreater