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<blockquote data-quote="kenada" data-source="post: 8279553" data-attributes="member: 70468">Sometimes one can’t help but contrast with other styles. For example, stepping aside from OSR for a moment, how can we discuss Story Now games without implicitly contrasting them with trad or OC/neo-trad? It’s impossible because they have opposed premises. One (Story Now) eschews coming to the table with a prepared plot while the other (particularly OC/neo-trad) considers curation as fundamental to having a meaningful story. If the story emerges through play, then it’s just random stuff that happened rather than being the realization of the arc that was implied by your character’s conception.Bringing this back to OSR, there are some aspects that are also the opposite of certain styles of play. The idea that the referee is an impartial judge is fundamental. I’d also posit that encounters designed naturalistically rather than balanced with the capabilities of the players’ characters is another fundamental element. If you get into a situation, you’re not expected necessarily to fight through it (and reaction rolls are there to help keep the referee honest). At some point when discussing those things, you’re going to have to contrast with other styles or techniques.I don’t think trying to make a good impression on an unbiased observer is worthwhile. It’s something that doesn’t exist. We all have our biases. If one is trying to recruit new players, then you’re going to see much better results trying to appeal to those who aren’t doing your thing but might have preferences that align than by trying to appeal in the abstract to a hypothetical, unbiased observer. Of course, when contrasting, don’t be a jerk about it. I just think sometimes it’s going to be contentious regardless.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="kenada, post: 8279553, member: 70468"] Sometimes one can’t help but contrast with other styles. For example, stepping aside from OSR for a moment, how can we discuss Story Now games without implicitly contrasting them with trad or OC/neo-trad? It’s impossible because they have opposed premises. One (Story Now) eschews coming to the table with a prepared plot while the other (particularly OC/neo-trad) considers curation as fundamental to having a meaningful story. If the story emerges through play, then it’s just random stuff that happened rather than being the realization of the arc that was implied by your character’s conception. Bringing this back to OSR, there are some aspects that are also the opposite of certain styles of play. The idea that the referee is an impartial judge is fundamental. I’d also posit that encounters designed naturalistically rather than balanced with the capabilities of the players’ characters is another fundamental element. If you get into a situation, you’re not expected necessarily to fight through it (and reaction rolls are there to help keep the referee honest). At some point when discussing those things, you’re going to have to contrast with other styles or techniques. I don’t think trying to make a good impression on an unbiased observer is worthwhile. It’s something that doesn’t exist. We all have our biases. If one is trying to recruit new players, then you’re going to see much better results trying to appeal to those who aren’t doing your thing but might have preferences that align than by trying to appeal in the abstract to a hypothetical, unbiased observer. Of course, when contrasting, don’t be a jerk about it. I just think sometimes it’s going to be contentious regardless. [/QUOTE]

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