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Message: <blockquote data-quote="eric mcloins" data-source="post: 4566773" data-attributes="member: 45714">Well, then, strategy games and RPGs are exactly the same thing? The terms are interchangeable?    Tell you what, even if that's true (which I don't agree) then I wouldn't care. If the way I play the game is more fun than what was initially intended, who would stop me from playing a better game? RPG police?  Not in my book. A player of Tim #1 will never be someone that I would consider playing with, nor do I think he's roleplaying. Of course, it is possible to play D&D without roleplaying (or what I would call roleplaying), but then it WOULD be just another strategy game, and not a very good one, if I may add. I have a nice example to what I mean, that may shed some light on the differences between us. Sometimes, when I teach someone D&D I start him on a short scenario. His character is on his way from point A to point B and he meets a kobold on a hill. That particular kobold is minding his own business, which is counting the amount of gold coins he has in his pouch. There are two typical reactions a player can make his character respond in.  The first option (let's call that the Tim #1 option, for no particular reason) is that the player says "my character draws his sword and attacks the kobold". Since the kobold is weak and quite defenseless, the character kills the kobold quite quickly an takes the loot. According to your style of play this is the only plausible course of action. This way you gain XP and Gold, and you advance yourself in the game. Tim #1 is now on his way to reach 2nd level!!! That is actions were evil, as he killed a defenseless creature just for taking his money is inconsequential. Mind you, there are no rules that penalize him for that. The only way I would ever react similarly to a similar situation is if my character was evil. The second typical reaction is to just ignore the kobold or even try to befriend him or ask him for directions or whatever. Usually, the people who make their character react this way are more mature, and have a more natural grasp of roleplaying. I would always prefer to play with people that use this second option, even though this might not be smart play. They might not gain gold or XP for this encounter (they could gain XP for the encounter if the DM decided they do) and not be as near to level 2 as Tim #1, but their characters are now more believable. Their character has shown the first sign of morality and an ability to make decisions that are not influenced only by game mechanics.  Sure they can. My games are proof of that. Or maybe you're saying that my games are not RPGs? what are they, then?</blockquote>

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