Gamer Terms/Jargon that Needs to Change

[Orius]

NPC - Non-player character. I feel this should be changed because it encourages the idea that the GM is not also a player. But what to use instead? GMPC already has its own negative connotations, and GMC would probably be associated with GMPC.

What's wrong with NPC? Besides, that term is so entrenched, both in tabletop games and video games that I think it's unlikely to be replaced.

While I'm on the subject of game runner titles, let me tackle some specific ones. Referee? Are we playing sports? Judge? This ain't no legal proceeding. Anything "Master". This implies that the person running the game is better than you.

Game Master is generic and funtional. Generic enough that it can be applied to any game as well.

Zod. They may call be Zod, and bow before me.

Bow? Zod is getting soft. What happened to kneeling?

 

[pawsplay]

NPC - Non-player character. I feel this should be changed because it encourages the idea that the GM is not also a player.

True, but is it important? It's kind of like pointing out that someone's thumb is a finger.

But what to use instead? GMPC already has its own negative connotations, and GMC would probably be associated with GMPC.

Game Master Character is an acceptable synonym I have seen used.

Various titles for the person who runs the game - honestly, just stop it all together. I've seen a trend toward being more specific at the expense of being verbose (wordy). While I'm not fond of it, I can see its use. Just say "host" or "the person who runs the game".

The term "host" might create confusion if the game is not being physically hosted by the M.C.

While I'm on the subject of game runner titles, let me tackle some specific ones. Referee? Are we playing sports? Judge? This ain't no legal proceeding. Anything "Master". This implies that the person running the game is better than you.

Actually, Master implies they are a teacher or an authority. Which is true. An RPG is fundamentally a challenging but enriching experience, hence, a teaching experience. The conductor of an orchestra is not "better than" every member of the orchestra, but no one begrudges him being called Maestro, or the first violinist being called the concert master.

GM will do just fine.

 

[frankthedm]

Lan-"when DMs start being called central processing units, I'm done"-efan

Citizen Lan-E-Fan, it sounds like you might be unhappy with a game run by a computer. Happiness is mandatory.

 

[Lanefan]

Citizen Lan-E-Fan, it sounds like you might be unhappy with a game run by a computer. Happiness is mandatory.

This is twice in two days that 1984: the RPG has reared its ugly head on this board. Yikes!

Lan-"doubleplusungood"-efan

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Pass.

I find it more helpful to have commonly uderstood terms, even if those terms have some baggage, than to introduce new-but-confusign terminology.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

I prefer Expediter of your Dreams.

That would probably be shortened to ED and in my opinion that title falls a bit limp.

 

[BriarMonkey]

Nope.

All the terms pretty well define their role in the game. No need to change things. If one feels the absolute need to embark upon such a course, feel free for your own game(s).

 

[Thunderfoot]

I too don't like DM or GM, I prefer Game Operations Designer you can call me G.O.D. for short.

And Lanefan - that quote is from Paranoia....
Great game, All hail the computer we lowly IRs live but to serve.
*sings*
Alpha Complex, Uber Alles....

 

[Cam Banks]

GM is often re-interpreted as Game Moderator, which might be better for some than Game Master.

In the games I've worked on recently we acknowledge that while the GM role is important, they're a player just like anybody else. We put a lot more power onto the players or the group at the table. Responsibility is usually clearly laid out, though - in SMALLVILLE, for instance, the Watchtower (aka GM) is responsible for framing all scenes, i.e. setting them up and bringing them to a close. But Watchtower doesn't get to force your character to do things.

As far as NPCs, I like "supporting characters" and divide them into specific types, such as Features and Extras in SMALLVILLE or Agents, Foils, and Extras in LEVERAGE. The game is really all about the player characters (Leads in SMALLVILLE, Crewmembers in LEVERAGE) and not the NPCs, so their primary purpose is to give the player characters something to do and drive them toward action and drama.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Leatherhead]

NPC - Non-player character. I feel this should be changed because it encourages the idea that the GM is not also a player. But what to use instead? GMPC already has its own negative connotations, and GMC would probably be associated with GMPC.

The GM's "player character" is the entire multiverce of the game, a.k.a. the games setting. Calling any prop (in this case the NPCS) something like GMC is inappropriate, because it would imply that the GM is lesser than they actually are. In short, it is not the GM being diminished, but the NPC who is being diminished, and rightfully so.

This is also part of the reason why GMPCs are looked down upon.