Synnibarr vs WotC
- Thread starter Deset Gled
- Start date
jdrakeh
Front Range Warlock
Maybe. Part of the problem is that there are a number of unique things in the Synnibarr rules that you'd have to rebuild in any generic system I can think of because they don't have 1:1 analogues (example: Midnight Sunstone Bazooka). It would, I think, be a considerable amount of work.
Sacrosanct
Legend
After looking into the history a bit more, I found myself nodding to myself because I've seen this type of "game designer" a few times before.
The one who thinks they are geniuses and no one else can remotely understand their superior level. Any rejection in the industry is met with vitriol at a hyperbolic level (like his statement about wanting to do everything within his power to ruin WoTC just because Peter didn't hire him)
I can easily imagine Peter just nodding his head politely, knowing all these claims of inventing xyz aren't true, and leaving it at that. And this guy taking that rebuff very badly.
He's the kind of designer that will have ten pages of rules on how to handle the weight of a backpack in various conditions, then can't figure out why no one wants to play the game. Surely it must be their inferior intellect!
A good game designer is like a good filmaker. Sometimes you gotta leave some of your favorite bits on the cutting room floor to make it all work. Guys with egos like this never seem to be able to do that.
The one who thinks they are geniuses and no one else can remotely understand their superior level. Any rejection in the industry is met with vitriol at a hyperbolic level (like his statement about wanting to do everything within his power to ruin WoTC just because Peter didn't hire him)
I can easily imagine Peter just nodding his head politely, knowing all these claims of inventing xyz aren't true, and leaving it at that. And this guy taking that rebuff very badly.
He's the kind of designer that will have ten pages of rules on how to handle the weight of a backpack in various conditions, then can't figure out why no one wants to play the game. Surely it must be their inferior intellect!
A good game designer is like a good filmaker. Sometimes you gotta leave some of your favorite bits on the cutting room floor to make it all work. Guys with egos like this never seem to be able to do that.
pantsorama
Explorer
Did you pass the Synnibarr exam for Nebraska?
I am betting he was a pest, and got indignant when asked to not bother people. Just a hunch.
Sacrosanct
Legend
Oh my…I just read his comment about how he spent 6 years (later claiming 10) living on only 450 calories of Ensure a day. And how it takes a writer an hour to write one spell. So I guess he’s one of those guys who has to exaggerate and lie without needing to as well. SMH. I had a roommate like that once. Even for things no one cares about, they still felt the need to lie and embellish it to ridiculous levels.
vecna00
Speculation Specialist Wizard
Same here.
darjr
I crit!
Some of his players from back when have shown up in the thread and I’m beginning to think they may have a point about it being the first cross genre game. I dint count the claim that he was distributing it locally for several years and chaosium beats them for a generic system regardless.
However it does appear it may be the first of its kind, sort of. Not that it makes his behavior any better or lend me to believe much of anything he says.
However it does appear it may be the first of its kind, sort of. Not that it makes his behavior any better or lend me to believe much of anything he says.
the Jester
Legend
Yet another reason for me to kick myself for not picking up the Primal Order when I saw it back in the day.
Fifth Element
Legend
And that each of them was written perfectly on the first go.
vecna00
Speculation Specialist Wizard
He kinda reminds me of a certain person in a legal battle with a large company. Except this guy has actually published a game!After looking into the history a bit more, I found myself nodding to myself because I've seen this type of "game designer" a few times before.
The one who thinks they are geniuses and no one else can remotely understand their superior level. Any rejection in the industry is met with vitriol at a hyperbolic level (like his statement about wanting to do everything within his power to ruin WoTC just because Peter didn't hire him)
I can easily imagine Peter just nodding his head politely, knowing all these claims of inventing xyz aren't true, and leaving it at that. And this guy taking that rebuff very badly.
He's the kind of designer that will have ten pages of rules on how to handle the weight of a backpack in various conditions, then can't figure out why no one wants to play the game. Surely it must be their inferior intellect!
A good game designer is like a good filmaker. Sometimes you gotta leave some of your favorite bits on the cutting room floor to make it all work. Guys with egos like this never seem to be able to do that.
darjr
I crit!
Also I don’t think he’s a bigot or misogynistic
bedir than
Hero
Raven was, again, this was 30 years ago now, a marijuana hippie. The look on his face when I told him I'd joined the Army was one of shock and disappointment.
Their only common trait is arrogance, but McCracken has a book that once sold well and for a period of time in the early 90s was an invited guest to conventions rather than banned
Wicht
Hero
This makes me want to dig out my copy of Synnibar and just reread it for the nostalgia of how bad it is. If I remember right, the author blurb on the back of the book describes how Mr. McCracken was writing the game from a position of experience which allowed him to make it as realistic as possible. If I get some time tomorrow, maybe I'll dig it out and share a few choice passages for those interested in the sort of writing that went into it.
darjr
I crit!
Oh! Nice!Tom Moldvay's Lords of Creation came out in 1983.
And with that I have now made a (somewhat) serious post in a thread about Synnibar. The unimaginable just keeps happening. I guess sort of like Synnibar.
I can’t help but feel responsible in an indirect way.
I’m happy about it though, if that helps.
darjr
I crit!
Ohhh do a “I read Synnibar” thread?
Wicht
Hero
Life is too short.
If I was younger I might be willing to make a project of it. I was more foolish once, with more time to waste.
Truth be told, Synnibar deserves some good natured dunking, but on the other hand, there is a lot of earnestness behind it, and I hate to be overly critical of someone's baby. But on the other other hand, just quoting some chunks of it is fair game.
Cordwainer Fish
Imp. Int. Scout Svc. (Dishon. Ret.)
Well played, sir.
Sacrosanct
Legend
Parmandur
Book-Friend
I can believe that he got burned by GenCon, byt I'd bet it's more like he violated some Terms of Service agreement and is hiding a grudge that the rules were enforced, not random spite.
