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RPG Theory and D&D...and that WotC Survey
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<blockquote data-quote="Snarf Zagyg" data-source="post: 8627688" data-attributes="member: 7023840"><p>Interesting post, niklinna. I hope it leads to a positive and fruitful conversation!</p><p></p><p>I've covered a few of these topics in the past, so I'm going to add my thoughts and then let the conversation continue.</p><p></p><p>1. Regarding the survey, it's mentioned somewhat regularly here. When WoTC was looking to purchase to TSR and release a new D&D, one thing they couldn't believe is just how little TSR knew about its customer base! Seriously- TSR just kept pumping out product but never really tried to understand who was interested in buying it. Which is something they tried to rectify. I think there are links to Ryan Dancey discussing this. Anyway, this was one of the more famous surveys, in that at that time, a lot of people were wondering about the direction of D&D- what kind of game should it be? And the answer? Well, contrary to what some people want, or what others believe, a lot of people play D&D not to satisfy a single desire, but because they like to do a little of everything.</p><p></p><p>2. Regarding GNS, I'm going to say this- first, I will also recommend <em>The Elusive Shift</em> ... I wrote a series of posts about it. I find it remarkable that so many don't bother at least trying to understand some of the history of RPG theory prior to discussing it so much. History just keeps repeating. I discuss this in this <a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/same-as-it-ever-was-define-the-players-of-rpgs-then-define-the-theory-of-rpgs.684088/post-8458072" target="_blank">post</a>.</p><p></p><p>GNS is just another (and dated) example of Evan Torner's excellent deconstruction of what happens in the hobbyist community when it comes to "RPG theorizing."</p><p>A. A new theory pops out that doesn't recognize the long history of the debate, instead only "responding" to what directly came before it.</p><p>B. The new theory claims to end the fruitless debate by providing some "big tent," but, in fact, continues the debate.</p><p>C. The new theory, while claiming to be neutral by analyzing typologies of players or systems, will, in fact, privilege a particular position that just happens to coincide with the position of the author.</p><p>D. The debate continues as people reject the new theory.</p><p></p><p>It's nothing special. The only reason it continues is, IMO, because the use of certain terms as jargon that happen to be the exact terms that people also use naturally leads to additional debate. But I wouldn't confuse internet debate with ... well, use of "GNS" as an academic theory. </p><p></p><p>Of course, if it works for you as a toolset to make your game better, that's great!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Snarf Zagyg, post: 8627688, member: 7023840"] Interesting post, niklinna. I hope it leads to a positive and fruitful conversation! I've covered a few of these topics in the past, so I'm going to add my thoughts and then let the conversation continue. 1. Regarding the survey, it's mentioned somewhat regularly here. When WoTC was looking to purchase to TSR and release a new D&D, one thing they couldn't believe is just how little TSR knew about its customer base! Seriously- TSR just kept pumping out product but never really tried to understand who was interested in buying it. Which is something they tried to rectify. I think there are links to Ryan Dancey discussing this. Anyway, this was one of the more famous surveys, in that at that time, a lot of people were wondering about the direction of D&D- what kind of game should it be? And the answer? Well, contrary to what some people want, or what others believe, a lot of people play D&D not to satisfy a single desire, but because they like to do a little of everything. 2. Regarding GNS, I'm going to say this- first, I will also recommend [I]The Elusive Shift[/I] ... I wrote a series of posts about it. I find it remarkable that so many don't bother at least trying to understand some of the history of RPG theory prior to discussing it so much. History just keeps repeating. I discuss this in this [URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/same-as-it-ever-was-define-the-players-of-rpgs-then-define-the-theory-of-rpgs.684088/post-8458072']post[/URL]. GNS is just another (and dated) example of Evan Torner's excellent deconstruction of what happens in the hobbyist community when it comes to "RPG theorizing." A. A new theory pops out that doesn't recognize the long history of the debate, instead only "responding" to what directly came before it. B. The new theory claims to end the fruitless debate by providing some "big tent," but, in fact, continues the debate. C. The new theory, while claiming to be neutral by analyzing typologies of players or systems, will, in fact, privilege a particular position that just happens to coincide with the position of the author. D. The debate continues as people reject the new theory. It's nothing special. The only reason it continues is, IMO, because the use of certain terms as jargon that happen to be the exact terms that people also use naturally leads to additional debate. But I wouldn't confuse internet debate with ... well, use of "GNS" as an academic theory. Of course, if it works for you as a toolset to make your game better, that's great! [/QUOTE]
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