[Hijack] Debate over definition of "grit." Plus: is Midnight gritty?

[howandwhy99]

I'm running a game of d20 Pretty in Pink. ... ... According to the argument as I've heard it on this thread, this is a gritty game. If you ask me, you've only made d20 Pretty in Pink more stupid than it already was. But I certainly wouldn't call it gritty. That's something inherent in the setting, not something a few stat limitations can provide.

Hey, back from the weekend.

If I read the debate here correctly, it's that either stats or setting make a gritty game. I posted above my own thoughts and I'm beginning to change my mind to what a decided upon "gritty" feel means.

I can imagine a "very challenging" game of Pretty in Pink where stats are for frustrated adolescents and the setting is high school. (If you remember high school, you know how challenging it can be) However, I doubt many would want to play it.

You see, it's my opinion that most people play RPG's (read books, watch moves, etc) out of wish fulfillment. Playing a teenager from the movie "Pretty in Pink" isn't immediately appealing on that level. But is it challenging? Well, yes. The film has plenty of emotional intensity and I believe we feel sympathy for the characters because of how hard they try in such rotten situations. A good player could work this for miles.

In a similar vein, CoC character are also average, but multifaceted individuals. They face a challenge almost as horrible as high school . But I'm betting that CoC players aren't playing to win. I would say they are playing because it's fun to be scared. (and the small victories along the way) Playing Pretty in Pink means you've got some players willing to relive teen angst.

But I called gritty the equivalent of mortal fear. Given this, I must admit that the setting just will not allow for a gritty feel.

 

[jester47]

Hey, back from the weekend.

If I read the debate here correctly, it's that either stats or setting make a gritty game. I posted above my own thoughts and I'm beginning to change my mind to what a decided upon "gritty" feel means.

I can imagine a "very challenging" game of Pretty in Pink where stats are for frustrated adolescents and the setting is high school. (If you remember high school, you know how challenging it can be) However, I doubt many would want to play it.

You see, it's my opinion that most people play RPG's (read books, watch moves, etc) out of wish fulfillment. Playing a teenager from the movie "Pretty in Pink" isn't immediately appealing on that level. But is it challenging? Well, yes. The film has plenty of emotional intensity and I believe we feel sympathy for the characters because of how hard they try in such rotten situations. A good player could work this for miles.

In a similar vein, CoC character are also average, but multifaceted individuals. They face a challenge almost as horrible as high school . But I'm betting that CoC players aren't playing to win. I would say they are playing because it's fun to be scared. (and the small victories along the way) Playing Pretty in Pink means you've got some players willing to relive teen angst.

But I called gritty the equivalent of mortal fear. Given this, I must admit that the setting just will not allow for a gritty feel.

I think this goes with what I said about uncertainty.

Aaron.