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<blockquote data-quote="chaochou" data-source="post: 5409141" data-attributes="member: 99817">I completely agree that an awareness of the techniques a DM is using and risks associated with them are valuable. I enjoyed your thread on the topic.Largely, I don't think we're in disagreement here. The only one I see is illustrated here:This is where I see a potential problem. On one hand 'railroad' is being used to describe a technique (or set of) and on the other it is being used to describe a negative play experience.That means when someone running a game using those techniques with no problems asks 'Am I railroading?' the answer is both yes and no.The danger is that technique and bad experience become synonymous, such that people using those techniques but running a game which is fun for all concerned can feel their play style is being criticised by association.I say it's a danger, not a foregone conclusion. It's quite possible to keep the two separate and to use the term as you choose to. But I've also seen 'You're playing a railroad game' used, or interpreted, as some kind of criticism, when the game may itself be great for those players.I prefer to use railroad solely for 'conflict over limited choice' to keep any association of 'conflict' or 'problem' separate from games which may well be brilliant. I find the distinction valuable. As always ymmv.Oh, and apologies for the sarciness before. It was late here, I was tired. One of them things.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="chaochou, post: 5409141, member: 99817"] I completely agree that an awareness of the techniques a DM is using and risks associated with them are valuable. I enjoyed your thread on the topic. Largely, I don't think we're in disagreement here. The only one I see is illustrated here: This is where I see a potential problem. On one hand 'railroad' is being used to describe a technique (or set of) and on the other it is being used to describe a negative play experience. That means when someone running a game using those techniques with no problems asks 'Am I railroading?' the answer is both yes and no. The danger is that technique and bad experience become synonymous, such that people using those techniques but running a game which is fun for all concerned can feel their play style is being criticised by association. I say it's a danger, not a foregone conclusion. It's quite possible to keep the two separate and to use the term as you choose to. But I've also seen 'You're playing a railroad game' used, or interpreted, as some kind of criticism, when the game may itself be great for those players. I prefer to use railroad solely for 'conflict over limited choice' to keep any association of 'conflict' or 'problem' separate from games which may well be brilliant. I find the distinction valuable. As always ymmv. Oh, and apologies for the sarciness before. It was late here, I was tired. One of them things. [/QUOTE]

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