Death of Simulation?

[hong]

Stupid GNS theory always results in arguing over the meaning of GNS.

What I believe is this: the philosophy that the ruleset provides an exhaustive, all-encompassing framework on which to build a game world, appears to have been diminished in 4E. No more do orcs, beholders and humans all have to be built using the same specific formulae and prescriptions, even if the end results will serve entirely different purposes. This is a Good Thing in my book.

Come on people, it's not hard to say what you mean without using Humpty-Dumpty words like g*mist/s*mul*tionist/n*rr*tivist.

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

Stupid GNS theory always results in arguing over the meaning of GNS.

What I believe is this: the philosophy that the ruleset provides an exhaustive, all-encompassing framework on which to build a game world, appears to have been diminished in 4E. No more do orcs, beholders and humans all have to be built using the same specific formulae and prescriptions, even if the end results will serve entirely different purposes. This is a Good Thing in my book.

Come on people, it's not hard to say what you mean without using Humpty-Dumpty words like g*mist/s*mul*tionist/n*rr*tivist.

Well, it would help if someone had done an adequate job of defining the terms once upon a time, and everyone had read those definitions.

I prefer retro/pretentious/stupid, myself. Thinking about games in those terms just feels more like a mouthful of gummi bears.

 

[zoroaster100]

I hope that they are going to per encounter rules use of spells and other powers for 4e rather than 1 minute/level or similar durations for powers that make bookkeeping a pain.

 

[hong]

Well, it would help if someone had done an adequate job of defining the terms once upon a time, and everyone had read those definitions.

I prefer retro/pretentious/stupid, myself. Thinking about games in those terms just feels more like a mouthful of gummi bears.

I am definitely retro/stupid, just like Mearls. I suspect Mearls is also a buttkicker in Robin Laws' schema, much like me. This would explain much of my pee-pee love for Mearls.

 

[marune]

Uh, what? What is playing "in-character," if not at least very slightly simulationist? And what is role-playing, if not (at least to some extent) making decisions and choices in-character?

A very simple definition of Simulationist play is : Exploration is THE priority.

So what I said, is that "good roleplaying" can be achieved without having Exploration as the MAIN priority.

 

[marune]

Well, it would help if someone had done an adequate job of defining the terms once upon a time, and everyone had read those definitions.

Try this glossary : http://www.darkshire.net/~jhkim/rpg/theory/glossary/

 

[howandwhy99]

Not to be snarky at all. Just helpful advice here.

When folks use common terms in common sentences, it is best to assume they are the definition commonly used. Just because one's jargon may define Existence as Being-in-the-world vs. existence as being-with-the-world, doesn't mean small e existence is the defined jargon Heidegger used in every case you now read that word.

howandwhy99 - "existing-on-the-world" spikey

 

[Charwoman Gene]

Not to be snarky at all.

Why? This thread is Snarky by design.