Gaming across the generation gap

[Henry]

Does no one remember campaigns in the 70's and 80's where everything was influenced by hard/classic/metal rock culture? Where NPCs were told they "rocked" or were called "dude?"

If not, you probably had a totally bitchin time in your awesome DM's game!

You just brought back a TON of memories. In our gaming groups in the late 80's, we had characters named Angus, Malcolm, Slash, Axel, and half a dozen other rock gods of the day, as well as HJ, BJ, CB, and half a dozen other initials for all types of sex acts imaginable. We were 16 to 19 years old, and having the time of our lives.

On the other hand, the older I get the more different type of game I want. But if I ever run into someone wanting a Bard named "5 Silver P", I'll be more tolerant of him.

 

[Psion]

Why exactly would you consider this really, really stupid? Isn't it just a different play style?

It seems to me that "stupid" here is code words for "play style I would find disruptive.

Robin Laws, I think, would say that there are many ways to enjoy RPGs, and none of them are "right" or "wrong" (or "really, really stupid").

Robin Laws also says that there are wrong choices for your group.

Look, I don't even allow easily recognized biblical or ethnic names in my game, as I feel it "breaks the fourth wall" and breaks my suspension of disbeleif. "G-dawg", &cetera, is right out.

 

[Ycore Rixle]

Robin Laws also says that there are wrong choices for your group.

Yeah, absolutely, but "wrong for your group" is a lot different from "really, really stupid."

I don't want to see any potential players turned away or turned off because they're being told they're playing D&D "stupid." That's one of the great things about D&D - you can play it however you and your group want! Just have fun!

 

[Teflon Billy]

Yeah, absolutely, but "wrong for your group" is a lot different from "really, really stupid."

I don't want to see any potential players turned away or turned off because they're being told they're playing D&D "stupid." That's one of the great things about D&D - you can play it however you and your group want! Just have fun!

I'll stand by my comment.

I do think that ruining suspension of disbelief in a campaign with the same "Whitey Suburban Fake Mall Gangsta" posturing (the same posturing the players in question clearly engage in day-in and day-out) is "just another--and equally valid--way to play" even when it doesn't mesh with any of the character prep or campaign material they've been shown thus far...then yes, that is rank stupidity.

Other terms that might apply: "goofy", "Lame", "Pathetic", "Uncreative"

Any of these apply.

And to defend the behavior ("Well, it's a game of Star Trek, but this guy wants to play a Rodeo Clown. Perfectly Valid!--if different--Star Trek fun!") Is equally nonesensical.

It's about expectations.

If I'm runnning a D&D campaign (and I am) and I present you with a selection of vaguly medieval Cultures, Races and Politcal groups around which to base your character (and I will) and you (like half of your peers before you) come back with a thinly disguised version of Eminem (with a little Dre tossed in for cred) then the problem is, I'm afraid, with you.

If you come to a game and that's the only character you can manage to come up with, I'm guessing "all the girlies say you're pretty fly for a white guy"

 

[Teflon Billy]

Yeah, absolutely, but "wrong for your group" is a lot different from "really, really stupid."

Well, the really really stupid coment was, I thought, pretty clearly coming from me.

I mean did you think I mean "empirically provable as stupid" or something?

That's one of the great things about D&D - you can play it however you and your group want! Just have fun!

But they aren't playing it the way my group wants, and they are having fun at the expense of mine.

You're good with that?

 

[Campbell]

I'm going to have to agree with T-Bill here. If a GM presents a setting that is pretty reminescent of Robert E. Howard's work it is a sign of monumental idiocy to present an Eminem look a like, just like it's a sure sign of stupidity to create a Punisher clone for a Four Color supers game. It's not badwrongfun to desire to play a character like that within the right context, but it is rather shady to show up for a game and expect a whole group of people to alter their play style to accomodate yours.

 

[The Shaman]

If a GM presents a setting that is pretty reminescent of Robert E. Howard's work it is a sign of monumental idiocy to present an Eminem look a like, just like it's a sure sign of stupidity to create a Punisher clone for a Four Color supers game. It's not badwrongfun to desire to play a character like that within the right context, but it is rather shady to show up for a game and expect a whole group of people to alter their play style to accomodate yours.

This should be embossed in gold letters on the front of the PHB.

 

[S'mon]

I'm going to have to agree with T-Bill here. If a GM presents a setting that is pretty reminescent of Robert E. Howard's work it is a sign of monumental idiocy to present an Eminem look a like

Ditto. A gangsta rap D&D campaign is fine if that's what the GM is going for. Players trying to undermine a GM's campaign or twist it into something obviously different (& silly) suck.

 

[Henry]

Ditto. A gangsta rap D&D campaign is fine if that's what the GM is going for.

I have GOT to try this one week.

• Elminster, with gold staff, clock-necklace, and backwards ball cap, and Storm Silverhand in high heels and a spandex skirt...
• Drizzt Do'Urden holding his scimitars sideways, pointing them at the fool he's gonna cap...
• King Azoun rolling with his boys on horseback through the Suzail neighborhood, looking for trouble...
• People are taking their Carts to churches of Gond to pimp their rides...

Every cliche gone horribly wrong, and the PCs have to find the artifact that reverses this nightmarish realm.

However, knowing my players, they'd get the artifact just to make sure it DIDN'T change for about two or three sessions or so.

 

[reveal]

I have GOT to try this one week.

• Elminster, with gold staff, clock-necklace, and backwards ball cap, and Storm Silverhand in high heels and a spandex skirt...
• Drizzt Do'Urden holding his scimitars sideways, pointing them at the fool he's gonna cap...
• King Azoun rolling with his boys on horseback through the Suzail neighborhood, looking for trouble...
• People are taking their Carts to churches of Gond to pimp their rides...

Every cliche gone horribly wrong, and the PCs have to find the artifact that reverses this nightmarish realm.

However, knowing my players, they'd get the artifact just to make sure it DIDN'T change for about two or three sessions or so.

I'm waiting for Elminster and Drizz't to start referring to themselves as Ez E and Double D, respectively.