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Not a Conspiracy Theory: Moving Toward Better Criticism in RPGs
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<blockquote data-quote="innerdude" data-source="post: 8929754" data-attributes="member: 85870"><p>Another problem --- the Venn diagram of humans who have played enough variety of RPGs, for a long enough time to meaningfully digest the scope of intent and realization of intent of each creative work; who also have enough background in doing academically rigorous and meaningful analysis of those games; who also hold enough standing in the gaming community to have their theories (once produced) actually take hold and become culturally meaningful; is a sliver so small as to basically be a null value.</p><p></p><p>I have a master's degree in English. My capstone bachelor's degree course was in modern theories of literature criticism. Believe me when I tell you I am well versed in all possible manner of "academic speak."</p><p></p><p>I read several of Snarf's proposed academic essays from his post last year decrying the state of RPG critical theory. And truthfully I came away thoroughly unimpressed with the "scholarship" I read. In very few ways did the texts consider or capture what I consider to be fairly fundamental "normative structures" around RPG play, almost as if they were purposefully distancing themselves from "those dirty, filthy, far beneath my regard 'populist' game theories held by the unwashed masses."</p><p></p><p>Any sort of RPG critical theory should start with Robin Laws, Vincent Baker, and yes, Ron Edwards, because at least they addressed RPG play from the ground level.</p><p></p><p>The academic essays from Snarf's list read like a bad mashup of new historicist lit theory and shallow board game theory, very much like I'd expect a "historian" to describe the hobby as if its entirety was encapsulated by D&D.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="innerdude, post: 8929754, member: 85870"] Another problem --- the Venn diagram of humans who have played enough variety of RPGs, for a long enough time to meaningfully digest the scope of intent and realization of intent of each creative work; who also have enough background in doing academically rigorous and meaningful analysis of those games; who also hold enough standing in the gaming community to have their theories (once produced) actually take hold and become culturally meaningful; is a sliver so small as to basically be a null value. I have a master's degree in English. My capstone bachelor's degree course was in modern theories of literature criticism. Believe me when I tell you I am well versed in all possible manner of "academic speak." I read several of Snarf's proposed academic essays from his post last year decrying the state of RPG critical theory. And truthfully I came away thoroughly unimpressed with the "scholarship" I read. In very few ways did the texts consider or capture what I consider to be fairly fundamental "normative structures" around RPG play, almost as if they were purposefully distancing themselves from "those dirty, filthy, far beneath my regard 'populist' game theories held by the unwashed masses." Any sort of RPG critical theory should start with Robin Laws, Vincent Baker, and yes, Ron Edwards, because at least they addressed RPG play from the ground level. The academic essays from Snarf's list read like a bad mashup of new historicist lit theory and shallow board game theory, very much like I'd expect a "historian" to describe the hobby as if its entirety was encapsulated by D&D. [/QUOTE]
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