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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mark CMG" data-source="post: 3444244" data-attributes="member: 10479">Using the basic structures of an RPG such as D&D or any other that might have come in the wake of D&D is not the same as mimicking D&D.  Using a codified rules set to have an RPG that emulates the style of a particular literary source, such as was done with MERP, is not the same as mimicking D&D.You know what?  I've decided, upon further reflection, that games cannot be a genre unto themselves.  A "genre" is something you apply to a finished work.  As with an unfinished story which might begin as a western but could turn into science fiction in pages not yet written, a game cannot truly be of a particular genre, nor be one unto itself, because it is open to change during play.  One might be able to say that after a game has been completed a particular genre was emulated, but that obviously isn't the same thing.Gygax and Arneson, along with others, codified the rules of RPGing from a number of implicit games of "Pretend" along with rules from miniatures games and wargames.  One sometimes wonders if, Gary being from Chicago, Second City improv (which was founded in 1959) had any influence on the process, as well.  I wonder if Gary was aware of Second City when he lived in Chicago and what it is that they do.  (I have no doubt he is now.)  D&D is a fantasy RPG that allows for a great many styles to be used or emulated, and which has also been influenced by many styles of fiction, including Swords & Sorcery, Science Fiction, High Fantasy, other types of Heroic Fiction, etc.  However, being able to emulate a collection of styles does not make it a genre.Styles of play seem to be at the heart of the issue for some, since a genre is made up of a number of similar styles.  The fundamental play experience is due to both the rules and the players and morphs, sometimes, as play progresses and it does not indicate a specific genre.Not while staying on topic.</blockquote>

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