RPG Documentaries: The Dungeon Masters, etc..

[nedjer]

Did you just quote the the wrong thing? I didn't see anything wrong with the Robot Chicken game. I thought that was an excellent introduction.

There was an epic discussion about this. I chipped in here.

 

[jonesy]

There was an epic discussion about this. I chipped in here.

I saw that. 26 pages on whether or not someone used the rules correctly. Sheesh. The DM commentary already did a good job explaining why he did what he did.

It was their first game, they were having fun. It made the game look interesting. Do we really need commentary on the commentary?

 

[Doug McCrae]

Do we really need commentary on the commentary?

No, but we do need commentary on the commentary on the commentary. The rule is that odd-numbered meta-commentary is fine, but even isn't.

Commentary - good.
Commentary on the commentary - bad.
Commentary on the commentary on the commentary (your post for example) - good.
Commentary on the commentary on the commentary on the commentary (this post for example) - bad.

 

[jonesy]

No, but we do need commentary on the commentary on the commentary. The rule is that odd-numbered meta-commentary is fine, but even isn't.

Commentary - good.
Commentary on the commentary - bad.
Commentary on the commentary on the commentary (your post for example) - good.
Commentary on the commentary on the commentary on the commentary (this post for example) - bad.

Funny.

But it also illustrates quite well why new people have a hard time getting into the game. And why the game gets such bad rep from people who do not understand it.

Take for example the YouTube clips of the Perkins games. They have comments from people who say they've never played the game, but based on the demonstration they'd be interested. And then these comments are swamped by DnD players who whine about how innaccurate the demonstration was to the 'real' game. Would anyone who's never played the game be interested after reading them?

And then we wonder why there aren't any good introductions to the game..

 

[nedjer]

I saw that. 26 pages on whether or not someone used the rules correctly. Sheesh. The DM commentary already did a good job explaining why he did what he did.

It was their first game, they were having fun. It made the game look interesting. Do we really need commentary on the commentary?

The rules 'debate' was a sideline. It was the atmosphere and styling that didn't come across as entirely helpful. Sure play the game how you want with leather chairs, combats the length of a tapeworm and enormous works of Vikingesque embroidered beard art; but probably don't expect that to promote the hobby to a larger or more diverse audience. I.e. it was a video for those who're already in on 'the joke', instead of those who might want to get in on 'the joke'.

 

[Doug McCrae]

Roleplayers aren't normal, they're nerds. The ones I know are almost all over-educated, often to a ridiculous degree (such as a former science PhD who is working in a call centre). They're more likely than the average person to be fat or skinny or short. Very few mesomorphs. I suspect that rpgers are more likely than most to have some degree of aspergers or autism. We're anal and we lack social skills.

 

[Doug McCrae]

tended to dress all in black

You say that like it's a good thing.

Many would pass for hipster types (Morrus!), or at least as typical students.

Morrus isn't a hipster. Hipsters and students are quite similar though. Hipsters dress in a very individualistic style, making it a hard subculture to spot.

Black jeans and a Caprica t-shirt do not a hipster make, it's the uniform of the sci-fi nerd.

 

[jonesy]

The rules 'debate' was a sideline. It was the atmosphere and styling that didn't come across as entirely helpful. Sure play the game how you want with leather chairs, combats the length of a tapeworm and enormous works of Vikingesque embroidered beard art; but probably don't expect that to promote the hobby to a larger or more diverse audience. I.e. it was a video for those who're already in on 'the joke', instead of those who might want to get in on 'the joke'.

Yes, now I see it. And the walls were the wrong color too. And they were using the wrong kind of pencils, and the dice were too black, and..

I disagree with everything you said. I think it's a very good presentation of the game. It makes it look like fun, as it's supposed to be, instead of endless arguments of what is the correct way to do something.

And 'the joke'? Really? Come on.

 

[nedjer]

Yes, now I see it. And the walls were the wrong color too. And they were using the wrong kind of pencils, and the dice were too black, and..

I disagree with everything you said. I think it's a very good presentation of the game. It makes it look like fun, as it's supposed to be, instead of endless arguments of what is the correct way to do something.

And 'the joke'? Really? Come on.

Hairy hobbits' feet Jonesy They're like something out of the Extraordinary League of Gentlemen.

 

[nedjer]

Roleplayers aren't normal, they're nerds. The ones I know are almost all over-educated, often to a ridiculous degree (such as a former science PhD who is working in a call centre). They're more likely than the average person to be fat or skinny or short. Very few mesomorphs. I suspect that rpgers are more likely than most to have some degree of aspergers or autism. We're anal and we lack social skills.

The biggest TRPG market out there is surely largely comprised of 8-year-old girls playing Doggy Daycare and Jungle in My Pocket. (Both classics I might add).