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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dremmen" data-source="post: 2780070" data-attributes="member: 30977">Okay, since Mark has mentioned this, a point that has been mentioned for about the upteenth time, I think I'll address it directly. This idea of different gaming stlyes - let me get to the root of my original post. We are talking about Role-Playing Games, not general games. If there is a group that Role-Plays when playing Role-Playing Games, and a second group that does NOT Role-Play when playing Role-Playing Games, then it stands to logic that the first group is doing BETTER when Role-Playing in Role-Playing Games. This narrative style - there are tons of styles to doing it narrative but the root of it is that you don't just roll dice, that you actually play using descriptors of the alter self instead of sitting back and describing actions independent of the character one is playing. And if you limit your activity in the game to the action and the dice roll, IMO, you are not playing a different style of Role-Playing, you're not even Role-Playing.In football Phillip Rivers passes the ball sidearm instead of overhand. That's his style of playing the game. Its a preference but the game as a whole is the same and its just as valid a way of doing it. To me this group that says hack'n'slash is just as good as narrative style for playing RPGs are like the folks that think a Win is a Win in football, and how you get those points just doesn't matter. And if the QB brings out an Uzi, mows down the opposing team and scores touchdown after touchdown, then its still football. And I would argue that its not, that the game is as defined by the tedium of calling plays that use your players to the fullest and trying to outguess the opposing team and fighting for every yard - its in the getting to that touchdown as much as just scoring the points. Its what makes it exciting and interesting. Its not a different way of playing it - sure its fun, and..well, I won't say go ahead and use an Uzi in football but you get my drift. Munchkin, hack'n'slash, however you want to play it that's all you and more power to you. For the reasons above stated I do not equate it with RPGing. To me its not a different style, its something else. Its fun, you use the books, and there are dice involved. But its apple and oranges. And while there are tons of ways of playing RPGs in a narrative style, with mechanics imbedded or purely in character first person or third person past tense storytelling or whatever,  hack'n'slash is a different entity all together and not equivalent to actually role playing. Is a narrative style a better way to have fun? No. Both can be just as fun. Is it a better way to play a game? No. Both are a great way to play a game with friends. Is it a better way to play RPGs? Yes.Disclaimer: The author of this post is not condoning the use of Uzis in any sort of sporting event.Disclaimer 2: My wife mentioned something that I thought could use clarification. RP-Lite, where PCs in the game only go narrative style at places like taverns or around a campfire or other appropriate place or situation, just every so often interject in the game with a quick one line or just a little something of flavor for the character - that's a narrative style. You don't have to be constanly descriptive. Sometimes folks don't have so long to play or whatever. But they still take the time to every now and then assure their character's individuality by doing or saying something in character. And if the rest of the game tends to be a bit RP dry and lots of dice rolling, at least the group has a good idea of who the PCs are as individuals and that's the big thing. Still loads better than straight up hack'n'slah dice contests.</blockquote>

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