Communism (& Socialism) in RPGs

[BASHMAN]

Most of the games out there are pseudo-medieval fantasies. Communism calls for an industrial base that the games don't have.

Thus have the Dwarves be communist [like D&D chainmail did]

 

[interwyrm]

Except, the entire adventuring party is motivated by personal advancement and personal gain, a.k.a. greed. I'm also pretty sure that when the party loots the orc's treasury, they don't go give it all to the party to redistribute to the masses.

Sounds to me the D&D party is composed of specialists in a wealth-driven free-enterprise exercise.

I'm not sure this matters. I mean, unless you're talking about international communism, you need to be talking about communism within a subset of all population. There's no reason why that subset can't be an adventuring party.

Communist countries don't distribute their wealth to all of the countries in the world. They just keep it within the nation.

This actually gives me some ideas. Has anyone used a setting where adventurers are expected to give reclaimed wealth to the state?

 

[Khuxan]

This is correct and the "best" example I can think of. In play, communist dwarves in an otherwise pseudo-medieval fantasy setting break the proscenium arch into smithereens. Pass.

Break the proscenium arch into smithereens? Is that a fancy way of saying it breaks the fourth wall? Because the term typically used is "break through the proscenium arch".

 

[Kwalish Kid]

Communist countries don't distribute their wealth to all of the countries in the world. They just keep it within the nation.

This actually gives me some ideas. Has anyone used a setting where adventurers are expected to give reclaimed wealth to the state?

In the Scarred Lands setting, there is a tax on adventurers in the kingdom of Calastia. It is a LN feudal society ruled by a LE king and his barons. IIRC, the tax is vigourously collected.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

The D&D party is communist.

The fighter keeps the orcs from the rest of the party, the cleric heals the fighter, the wizard blasts the orcs with fireball. The treasure consists of a ring of protection +1 which goes to the fighter and a headband of intellect which goes to the wizard.

From each according to his abilities. To each according to his needs.

Indeed, given the number of separate ideas cited in the first post, focus on "Looks like the USSR" communism comes off as a bit limited. I have most enjoyed games where the party was as communist as possible, and least enjoyed games where intra party accounting and score keeping was rife.

 

[Kwalish Kid]

Indeed, given the number of separate ideas cited in the first post, focus on "Looks like the USSR" communism comes off as a bit limited. I have most enjoyed games where the party was as communist as possible, and least enjoyed games where intra party accounting and score keeping was rife.

We might want to draw the distinction between communal and communist here. (This idea of the D&D party as paragon of that slogan of Marx and Engels will be a perfect place to advance discussion for my RPG class. If it ever gets accepted.)

 

[Rabelais]

Honestly, if you ever wanted to figure out who the University social studies geeks on our humble board are just start a thread asking for a Marxist interpretation of D&D.

Interesting thread... If I didn't have about another 20 hours of homework left in front of me, I might have enough time to really argue the dogma inherent in the gaming system.

 

[ssampier]

The D&D party is communist.

The fighter keeps the orcs from the rest of the party, the cleric heals the fighter, the wizard blasts the orcs with fireball. The treasure consists of a ring of protection +1 which goes to the fighter and a headband of intellect which goes to the wizard.

From each according to his abilities. To each according to his needs.

[Captain Obvious]

But it's a class system!

 

[Nifft]

[Captain Obvious]

But it's a class system!

Why don't we have an emoticon for throwing fruit?!

"Weapon Specialization (tomato)", -- N

 

[JDJblatherings]

I've had Spartan like societies in my games.
I'd characterize Sparta as somewhat communist/socialist.

Edit: Probably more fascist than anything else though.

Sparta was a city-state of slave owning hair dressing warriors. Nopt very commie.