A Question Of Agency?

[FrogReaver]

So I think given the shared nature of the fiction once something has been established and we all agree to it then changing it also requires agreement from the group. Usually retcons are part of a group conversation in my experience.

Yes. They usually are more of that nature. But anything like that could in any future game have mechanics put to it.

then we could have discussions around, I prefer retcons to not have rules. With another saying “I prefer them when they have rules” and another saying having the ability to retcon with mechanics provides more agency and another saying retconing without mechanics produces more agency. Etc.

 

[prabe]

None of that really sounds like a retcon. Mostly it sounds like adding new detail, or massaging current curcumstamce.

Yeah. Maybe something by GM Fiat could work like a retcon, but I agree that my examples don't need to change existing fiction.

 

[Fenris-77]

Yeah. Maybe something by GM Fiat could work like a retcon, but I agree that my examples don't need to change existing fiction.

Changing the existing fiction is a very edge case IMO. Even the most story of story games generally don't do it. I'm actually struggling to figure out why we're even talking about it.

 

[FrogReaver]

Changing the existing fiction is a very edge case IMO. Even the most story of story games generally don't do it. I'm actually struggling to figure out why we're even talking about it.

because someone asked if there were any other vectors or types of agency.

I personally think being comprehensive in the framework will add much needed texture to this discussion.

 

[Fenris-77]

because someone asked if there were any other vectors or types of agency.

I personally think being comprehensive in the framework will add much needed texture to this discussion.

Honestly, I can't think of an example of this, so its place in the discussion is kinda tenuous. Given an example thought, sure.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

because someone asked if there were any other vectors or types of agency.

Presumably that meant vectors that actually appear in games, not ones that can theoretically be imagined.

Anyway, retcons are super jarring, they might sometimes be needed, but no sane game designer would ever write a game that relies on them as an intentional feature.

 

[FrogReaver]

Honestly, I can't think of an example of this, so its place in the discussion is kinda tenuous. Given an example thought, sure.

Why not just say you are right Frogreaver?

I mean it’s not something I expected to spend much time on. It’s something I said from post #1 that I could t think of any games using such a mechanic. You seem to be agreeing that it’s a thing and different than the other agency vectors...

So why aren’t you just agreeing?

 

[FrogReaver]

Presumably that meant vectors that actually appear in games, not ones that can theoretically be imagined.

Anyway, retcons are super jarring, they might sometimes be needed, but no sane game designer would ever write a game that relies on them as an intentional feature.

I presumed it best to take them at their word. I’ve been scolded for assuming something contrary to what someone said 1 too many times this thread.

Considering all the things I find jarring in games these days I suppose that means most game designers aren’t sane

 

[Fenris-77]

Why not just say you are right Frogreaver?

I mean it’s not something I expected to spend much time on. It’s something I said from post #1 that I could t think of any games using such a mechanic. You seem to be agreeing that it’s a thing and different than the other agency vectors...

So why aren’t you just agreeing?

Agree with what? That it's a specious example that doesn't add much to the discussion? Sure. I'll give you that.

 

[FrogReaver]

Agree with what? That it's a specious example that doesn't add much to the discussion? Sure. I'll give you that.

It’s not even an example. It’s a type/vector.