Unpopular opinions go here

[Tony Vargas]

. Rules aren't limited to dice and stats.

"mechanics" then, if you prefer

 

[Micah Sweet]

The problem is trying to include D&D, which predates the very idea of a TTRPG. It's D&D ultimate sacred cow, I guess.

Of course, it doesn't mean we can't appreciate D&D for what it did to establish TTRPGs nor continue to love it. "0D&D was the first RPG" and "D&D started as a wargame, that touched off the TTRPG hobby, an grew to become an RPG, itself" both recognize it's place in history.

That still assumes that D&D, while important historically, isn't actually a TTRPG. What definition are you using where that is the case?

 

[MGibster]

Whether we call it borrowing, cultural appropriation, or exchange, there are three things you need to know about it: It's inevitable, it's not always inappropriate, and in the aggregate it benefits all.

 

[overgeeked]

"mechanics" then, if you prefer

Sure. But the point was that even in freeform RP, you're still playing a game. It doesn't stop having rules, it doesn't stop being a game, simply because you stop throwing dice and looking at your character sheet.

Scott Rogers' Level Up has what I think is the best definition of a game. "A time waster becomes a game when you add rules and an objective."

Catch is a game. D&D is a game. Freeform RP is a game.

All a roleplaying game does is add the caveat that you're generally playing one character at a time.

 

[Scribe]

This SHOULDNT be unpopular, but given some of the positions taken around here I'm not sure.

A game or product or IP (especially) can appeal to many different interests, all being valid, even if some/many/MOST of those interests or ways of engagement only exist by chance with little or no official support from the creator. In some cases, this lack of support, yet organic natural evolution in engagement is actually GOOD.

As one often does, I'll point out Magic the Gathering.

A game of collectible cards, you obviously have 2 immediate engagement methods.

Collection
Playing

Obviously there is also Selling, Buying, and Speculation but we need not discuss that.

Then you have other levels or areas of engagement.

Art
Story
Game Design

Each Block, can be a Story. The entire IP, can be a story. The art is discussed, loved, hated, purchased, and enjoyed distinct from the game itself.

The Game Design is reviewed, discussed (TO DEATH) hated or loved, but you dont even have to play it, to do so.

These things are good, and is how Magic was able to grow from 'just a game' to a massive property.

 

[Cadence]

My unpopular opinion is that we need a tighter, more workable definition of TTRPG.

I will note, in your defense, the title of this thread. You might be winning so far.

I would argue that the unpopularity isn't necessarily about the tigher or more workable, but rather what definition you are trying to tighten and work with.

 

[Gradine]

The different between collaborative improv and TTRPGs isn't the "G', it's the "TT".

 

[Pedantic]

The different between collaborative improv and TTRPGs isn't the "G', it's the "TT".

To invoke the sister thread, that's a hill I'd die on. I'm here for boardgame+, not improv game-.

 

[Aldarc]

Also, the difference between collaborative improve and TTRPGs isn't the "TT," it's the G.

 

[Gradine]

To be more clear: Fiasco is a TTRPG