D&D General [rant]The conservatism of D&D fans is exhausting.

[hawkeyefan]

What are you going on about quantum for? Nothing in that statement simultaneously is one thing and another until something happens to fix it. If you're going to try and mock me, at least get it right.

What's even more sad is that you got two people to laugh at that claptrap.

Edit: Now three people who don't get it!

I’m only aware of one person not getting it!

 

[Hussar]

I already pointed out one that would work. But unless the people here who use the derogatory terms demonstrate a verbal willingness here to really change which terms they use, I'm not going to bother to put out the effort. It would just be wasted.

Sorry I missed that. What word would you prefer?

 

[Maxperson]

I’m only aware of one person not getting it!

Since there was quite literally nothing quantum about it, I don't get it, no. Hard to get something that has nothing to do with the words written down.

 

[Maxperson]

Sorry I missed that. What word would you prefer?

The one example was instead of the derogatory "Princess Play," and then talking about childhood heroes, something like, "Playing Childhood Heroes" would be a fine neutral term.

 

[Hussar]

The one example was instead of the derogatory "Princess Play," and then talking about childhood heroes, something like, "Playing Childhood Heroes" would be a fine neutral term.

Then I suggest moving forward, we simply use Playing Childhood heroes. Would that be acceptable to everyone?

So, if we take the original quote and replace "Princess Play" with "Playing Childhood Heroes", is the criticism then acceptable?

 

[Hussar]

He doesn't agree that they are disparaging terms - for instance,:

the term “Playing Childhood Heroes” is not intended to be disparaging. I do not think that playing Childhood Heroes is a shameful activity. If you do, you might need help, because you’re criticizing a very common childhood game. The name comes, of course, from the common role-adoption game that children like to play, which I believe to present a creative agenda that is essentially similar to the enjoyment a roleplayer gets from a role meaningful to them. That is, it is exciting to pretend to be a princess or a fireman or rock star or astronaut or whatnot because you get to pretend to engage in exciting activities and be treated differently from usual.​

Page 2 of the 2014 D&D Basic Rules says that D&D "shares elements with childhood games of make-believe." Tuovinen is elaborating on that point.

/snikp

Can we now move on?

 

[Maxperson]

Then I suggest moving forward, we simply use Playing Childhood heroes. Would that be acceptable to everyone?

So, if we take the original quote and replace "Princess Play" with "Playing Childhood Heroes", is the criticism then acceptable?

It's not much of a criticism and it applies to all RPGs and all playstyles. We are all pretending to be something else in these types of games.

 

[clearstream]

Can we now move on?

Apologies, but "Let's pretend" would be a better choice as the mode isn't intended to be limited to childhood or heroes. To paraphrase

"Let's Pretend” is a Simmy play structure strategy where a character player is encouraged to develop a character they find entertaining to occupy as a thespian role. During the game they have opportunities to exercise the role in various fictional circumstances. The role is affirmed by the way the SIS reacts to the role.​

​

@Maxperson does that work for you? I saw someone suggest it upthread and it seems quite neutral.

 

[Hussar]

It's not much of a criticism and it applies to all RPGs and all playstyles. We are all pretending to be something else in these types of games.

Well, not really. In very gamist play, the idea of role assumption isn't a priority at all. Early D&D, for example, was strongly characterized by this. Heck, the idea of role assumption was strongly pooh poohed for a long time by a pretty vocal segment of gamers.

I've certainly played with players who have zero interest in role assumption. Even to this day. Heck that was the primary reason for the dissolution of a group I was involved in some years ago. Half the group had basically zero interest in role assumption.

So the presumption of role assumption (heh) is not as universal as one might think. And, more pertinently, the degree of role assumption in RPG's varies very strongly between various players and systems. Some systems strongly incentivize role assumption - granting xp or other character rewards for acting "in character". D&D was a little bit late to that party with the addition of Hero/Action points, but, again, things like BIFTS and other "meta-currency" rewards for role assumption has gained a lot of traction over the years that was largely absent from earlier play.

 

[Hussar]

Apologies, but "Let's pretend" would be a better choice as the mode isn't intended to be limited to childhood or heroes. To paraphrase

"Let's Pretend” is a Simmy play structure strategy where a character player is encouraged to develop a character they find entertaining to occupy as a thespian role. During the game they have opportunities to exercise the role in various fictional circumstances. The role is affirmed by the way the SIS reacts to the role.​

​

@Maxperson does that work for you? I saw someone suggest it upthread and it seems quite neutral.

Again, since we all actually KNOW what's meant here, the actual verbiage is less important than simply getting on with the discussion. I'm groovy with calling it Throat Warbler Mangrove if that works.