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S/Z: On the Difficulties of RPG Theory & Criticism
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<blockquote data-quote="Hussar" data-source="post: 7921051" data-attributes="member: 22779"><p>But, the thing is, if you play baseball, you follow the rules as instructions. The rules straight up tell you, these players play these positions. This person pitches, these people, on the other team, bat. You can follow the steps exactly as written down and EVERY game of baseball (presuming they are playing from the same rulebook) will follow exactly the same steps.</p><p></p><p>There are no steps inherent in most RPG's. When you play an RPG, for example, what's the first step? Character creation? Campaign creation? Something else? Note, those can both be true - some games start with chargen and then proceed, others start with campaign creation and then proceed. Neither is more correct than the other.</p><p></p><p>And that's just the starting point of an RPG. No two tables start the exact same way. There are always considerable differences between one table and the next. And these aren't cosmetic differences. These are differences that will completely alter how the game plays.</p><p></p><p>Sure, in baseball, the players change, but, the game never does. You play one side until you get three out and then play the other side. You don't suddenly decide to add sharks to the outfield or play in roller skates half way through. Every game of baseball, from little league all the way through to the pro's plays identically. Baseball is a complete game. RPG's are not.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Hussar, post: 7921051, member: 22779"] But, the thing is, if you play baseball, you follow the rules as instructions. The rules straight up tell you, these players play these positions. This person pitches, these people, on the other team, bat. You can follow the steps exactly as written down and EVERY game of baseball (presuming they are playing from the same rulebook) will follow exactly the same steps. There are no steps inherent in most RPG's. When you play an RPG, for example, what's the first step? Character creation? Campaign creation? Something else? Note, those can both be true - some games start with chargen and then proceed, others start with campaign creation and then proceed. Neither is more correct than the other. And that's just the starting point of an RPG. No two tables start the exact same way. There are always considerable differences between one table and the next. And these aren't cosmetic differences. These are differences that will completely alter how the game plays. Sure, in baseball, the players change, but, the game never does. You play one side until you get three out and then play the other side. You don't suddenly decide to add sharks to the outfield or play in roller skates half way through. Every game of baseball, from little league all the way through to the pro's plays identically. Baseball is a complete game. RPG's are not. [/QUOTE]
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