Sandbox vs. Gamist, an interesting blog.

[Negflar2099]

I just finished reading a designer blog for the MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic and I thought even though the designer was talking about an MMO his discussion could be of relevance to the pen and paper community.

In his blog the designer talked about those who favor a simulationist standpoint for game design (those who want to inhabit a world) versus those who want to play a game. I thought it was interesting that MMO designers should be having this discussion since there's been a resurgence of that same discussion among us pen and paper players. There seems to be a divide in our gamer community over those who want their RPGs to be games first and foremost versus those who really just want to use the game mechanics as entry point into exploring a full world.

You can read the full blog for yourself here: Star Wars: The Old Republic | Developer Blogs

 

[weem]

Thanks for sharing

The MMO (or most CRPG's for that matter) and TTRPG worlds are very connected, so it's not too surprising to hear him talk about those kinds of aspects/styles of gameplay. I recall them coming up with designers of previous MMO's as well.

He talks about them taking a centrist approach to design...

I’ve long advocated that moderation is the way to go, and I believe on The Old Republic we are successfully travelling a middle path, a centrist path that takes the strengths of both: provide a directed and balanced game experience inside a lush, free-form Star Wars world.

...but it seems to me that most MMO's attempt this (with varying degrees of success of course) so it didn't feel like this was anything new. He feels they are succeeding, and time will tell I guess.

Still an interesting read, it was just something that stuck out to me.

 

[MichaelSomething]

If you take the time to read through the comments you'll find a few EVE fans and old SWG (the old Star Wars MMO) refugees.