Jay Murphy1
Meterion, Mastermind of Time !
I don't think roleplaying has so much changed as I've changed. I'm an adult now and play a much better game then I did at 11 years old. When DnD came about, or say Traveller, the roleplaying, the quality of a game being played was pretty sophisticated right out of the gate when being played by adults. All the complaints of DnD being a tactical skirmish game or combat is boring I think reflects a young person's experience of playing a sophisticated game as a kid. You just are not that plugged in to potential inherent in the medium as a 11 year old. Not that you don't get it, you just lack the ability as a child to play a mature, sophisticated, multi-layered game. If the person isn't a very self-reflecting person and able to honestly assess their ability (you know be critical of themselves) childish approaches carry forward. Not that is bad or wrong, but folks who have matured their ability to play will seek out others who have reached a similar degree of sophistication.
The veneer that a roleplaying game was a game for children didn't exist in a 30 year old in 1974 who would be playing with their friends. They probably wouldn't be writing many questions in to the creators on how to do things with the rules provided either. Hopefully older people wouldn't have the same self-esteem issues common in kids which would prevent a high level of sophistication in their play. Though it seems childish behavior does stick with some gamers into their later years. If I argue that B/X combat is boring because you may not be interesting and are being boring and it has nothing to do with game rules the first reply is usually someone but-hurt that I dare call them as playing it wrong. When really it is just a direct statement that no one knows everything and if you can get over yourself you could significantly increase your ability to have dynamic play regardless of game system used.
The veneer that a roleplaying game was a game for children didn't exist in a 30 year old in 1974 who would be playing with their friends. They probably wouldn't be writing many questions in to the creators on how to do things with the rules provided either. Hopefully older people wouldn't have the same self-esteem issues common in kids which would prevent a high level of sophistication in their play. Though it seems childish behavior does stick with some gamers into their later years. If I argue that B/X combat is boring because you may not be interesting and are being boring and it has nothing to do with game rules the first reply is usually someone but-hurt that I dare call them as playing it wrong. When really it is just a direct statement that no one knows everything and if you can get over yourself you could significantly increase your ability to have dynamic play regardless of game system used.