Is The Forum Getting More Antagonistic?

[RealAlHazred]

This does not explain the long-running and rising antagonism about games other than D&D.

You mean, like Pathfinder? Or 13th Age? Or do you mean the Old School Renaissance?

 

[Undrave]

I haven't noticed. I try not to take things too personally and just enjoy the engagement of a heated discussion. It's just a game, disagreeing with people over design isn't live threatening.

 

[DeviousQuail]

Good list. I'd add that, when starting a new thread, there's always the option of making it a [+] thread to signal to readers that you want to keep language positive and discussion on-topic.

I've always basically understood what (+) threads mean but is there a definition for this site? Do mods watch them more closely and/or have a shorter leash for removing someone from the thread?

 

[Umbran]

You mean, like Pathfinder? Or 13th Age? Or do you mean the Old School Renaissance?

None of the above. Threads about games with narrative focus and more player authorial control have had a great deal of antagonism in them as well.

 

[J.Quondam]

I've always basically understood what (+) threads mean but is there a definition for this site? Do mods watch them more closely and/or have a shorter leash for removing someone from the thread?

They've only been a thing for a couple years, iirc, and I'm not certain if there's an official definition. As for how [+] threads are modded, that might be a good question for @Umbran or other mod.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

This does not explain the long-running and rising antagonism about games other than D&D.

Part of that, I think, is a growing sense of being pushed to the margins amongst indie rpg fans.

I know I’ve given offense to @Campbell in the past for language I thought was neutral, because of the general tone of other discussions about indies, and the fact I wasn’t aware of that ahead of time.

It’s gotten to where the term “indie game” has been claimed to be pejorative by twitter eggs, rather than simply a designator of not being the face of tabletop gaming in the eyes of the public, nor long established stalwarts of the industry.

Again, part of it. Definitely not the whole answer, which also includes the intersection of human psychology and algorithmic attention-seeking in nearly all online venues, and the general political unrest in the last decade.

 

[Umbran]

I've always basically understood what (+) threads mean but is there a definition for this site? Do mods watch them more closely and/or have a shorter leash for removing someone from the thread?

So, a (+) thread is one in which all participants agree to the basic premise of the thread.

If you start a normal thread, saying, "Hey, look at this cool new game mechanic!" you may get a lot of responses from people who feel the mechanic is uncool, doesn't work, will cause your game to crash and burn and your washing machine to explode.

If you start a (+) thread saying, "I think this new game mechanic is cool, I'd like to talk about using it in D&D combats!" and folks come to tell you the mechanic is uncool, doesn't work, and will cause your washing machine to explode, they are apt to be removed from the thread.

It isn't that we watch them more closely, so much as there's a specific expectation of playing nice with the general topic that is enforced.

Edit to add: By he way, it is expected that in the first post of a (+) thread, the OP calls out the fact that it is a (+) thread. Relying on the thread title proves insufficient, sometimes.

 

[Cadence]

None of the above. Threads about games with narrative focus and more player authorial control have had a great deal of antagonism in them as well.

Is it the threads started about those games or styles in the general ttrpg forum that get heated, or the threads about D&D that those games are brought up in that get heated?

 

[Umbran]

Is it the threads started about those games or styles in the general ttrpg forum that get heated, or the threads about D&D that those games are brought up in that get heated?

I was thinking about the former, but I wouldn't doubt there's some of the latter as well.

 

[Umbran]

Again, part of it. Definitely not the whole answer, which also includes the intersection of human psychology and algorithmic attention-seeking in nearly all online venues, and the general political unrest in the last decade.

And, we cannot neglect specific contributions to antagonism by particular persons, whose behavior may be less about overall culture, and more about just them being themselves.