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S/Z: On the Difficulties of RPG Theory & Criticism
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<blockquote data-quote="Umbran" data-source="post: 7921467" data-attributes="member: 177"><p>Sure. </p><p></p><p>So, some questions that we don't know the answer to - How much theory was really involved in 5e? How much theory was tossed out when empirical feedback contradicted theory? </p><p></p><p>The next question is - Is continuing development of theory based on anecdote and personal opinions/preferences of sufficient value to justify the effort? </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>"Meaningful"? I mean, if you have a good time doing it, and it leaves you feeling like you have accomplished something, it is meaningful to you. I'm more concerned with <em>relevance</em>. Theory developed by small groups disconnected from the empirical is unlikely to be relevant.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Of course. I'm looking back at The Forge, and thinking of how sure, there were a couple good ideas in there, but how most of it was a colossal waste of everyone's time, such that here and now folks feel a need to come up with a whole other set of terms and framework. As you said, YMMV.</p><p></p><p>But, simply asked - how is this going to be different from The Forge? Folks who do not study history are doomed to repeat it, right?</p><p></p><p>I'm not saying to not develop theory. I'm trained as a theoretical physicist, for cryin' out loud, of course I value theory. I'm trying to note that how you go about developing the theory has pretty sizable impact on whether your theory matches reality, and it very much pays to be consciously aware of how humans are part of the process, and take that into account.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Umbran, post: 7921467, member: 177"] Sure. So, some questions that we don't know the answer to - How much theory was really involved in 5e? How much theory was tossed out when empirical feedback contradicted theory? The next question is - Is continuing development of theory based on anecdote and personal opinions/preferences of sufficient value to justify the effort? "Meaningful"? I mean, if you have a good time doing it, and it leaves you feeling like you have accomplished something, it is meaningful to you. I'm more concerned with [I]relevance[/I]. Theory developed by small groups disconnected from the empirical is unlikely to be relevant. Of course. I'm looking back at The Forge, and thinking of how sure, there were a couple good ideas in there, but how most of it was a colossal waste of everyone's time, such that here and now folks feel a need to come up with a whole other set of terms and framework. As you said, YMMV. But, simply asked - how is this going to be different from The Forge? Folks who do not study history are doomed to repeat it, right? I'm not saying to not develop theory. I'm trained as a theoretical physicist, for cryin' out loud, of course I value theory. I'm trying to note that how you go about developing the theory has pretty sizable impact on whether your theory matches reality, and it very much pays to be consciously aware of how humans are part of the process, and take that into account. [/QUOTE]
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