Let's Talk About "Intended Playstyle"

Thomas Shey · 2026-03-07T23:45:02+0000

Reynard said:
Terms have meaning in their context. That you refuse to acknowledge that meaning in order to argue with the term instead of discuss the subject is on you.

I think that's a little unfair. Words have connotational meanings even when they are used as terms of art. I don't think "opinionated" is an extremely strong case there, but there is connotational loading there and you can't entirely get away from that in general discussion even when the term-of-art is appropriate.

Thomas Shey · 2026-03-07T23:48:55+0000

Reynard said:
What would you consider an example of a game with a strong intended playstyle that is not opinionated?

How do you read games that have a genre/style focus, but not an exceptionally strong play methodology focus? Chill 3e is very much intended for structured supernatural hunting, and is really not set up for anything else (the skill list makes this very clear) but the actual play style within it isn't strongly focused (though its not really trad in its methodology).

Reynard · 2026-03-07T23:49:47+0000

Micah Sweet said:
The vast majority of super hero RPGs that aren't heavily narrativist (Mutants & Masterminds, Marvel Multiverse, FASERIP). You can play those games more or less however you like, no matter what they say.

If that is the case, how do they present an intended playstyle? It isn't as if "supers" represents a monolithic playstyle.

Thomas Shey · 2026-03-07T23:55:55+0000

Reynard said:
If that is the case, how do they present an intended playstyle? It isn't as if "supers" represents a monolithic playstyle.

Broadly. They're games that are aiming at a broad Big-Two-and-similar style experience. While you find offshoots within those that are more idiosyncratic, you can make some general expectations as to what a typical superhero experience will look like (especially in team books).