Towards a Workable RPG Theory

[mythusmage]

Yep. The very basics - it defines the term 'game' and then defines RPG as a subset of game characterized by certain properties.

How about something that applies to roleplaying games and only to roleplaying games? What about something that applies strictly to the type of roleplaying game we discuss on these boards?

Nope. I actually worked it up this afternoon before I read your answer

The fact something is constructed before the core description of a phenomenon is devised is no reason it can't serve to illustrate one or more consequences of the core description. As a matter of fact, the new core description could help to illustrate and elucidate the older formulation.

(Yes, I deliberately used big words. Why? Because I'm a rat bastard poster. )

 

[jdrakeh]

How about something that applies to roleplaying games and only to roleplaying games?

Yes -as I mentioned in my previous post.

What about something that applies strictly to the type of roleplaying game we discuss on these boards?

It will, but it doesn't just yet. Right now it covers Games, Rules, Systems, RPGs, and the two basic classifications that all RPGs can be filed under to one degree or another (and speaks briefly about those degrees). It will cover Settings, Mediums, etc in the future.

The fact something is constructed before the core description of a phenomenon is devised is no reason it can't serve to illustrate one or more consequences of the core description.

This is true but has little to do with your previous question of whether my definition was considered as a consquence of [reading] your own (which, again, it was not). In point of fact, it arose from my own earlier definition given on this thread (specifically, the first paragraph of that post). Now, if you're asking whether or not it illustrates consequnces of your own definition, no - I don't believe that it does.

 

[wedgeski]

Because usually (unless dealing with the obstuse ) it's better if people found out for themselves, instead of being told.

'Obtuse'.

Let me put it this way. Do you really need to be told everything? You can't figure it out for yourselves?

You've built your entire thread around a supposed immutable set of definitions (yours), invited discussion, and then graded posters 'right' or 'wrong' based on how close they come to your underlying assumptions. Nothing is being figured out here... we're just chasing down mythusmage's opinion on the subject. No fun.

 

[jdrakeh]

Nothing is being figured out here... we're just chasing down mythusmage's opinion on the subject. No fun.

I'm inclined to agree.

 

[jdrakeh]

Alan (not a forum moderator) Kellogg

Are you then an admin? I ask because I keep getting a message that tells me you are one or both of those things when I try to Ignore List you because of the insulting tone that you've taken with me on this thread for no reason other than I don't subscribe to your views.

 

[SweeneyTodd]

Are you then an admin? I ask because I keep getting a message that tells me you are one or both of those things when I try to Ignore List you because of the insulting tone that you've taken with me on this thread for no reason other than I don't subscribe to your views.

That's a very good point.

mythusmage, is it possible you could create a separate account for your admin/moderator posts and your regular posts? It doesn't look good for ENWorld at all for someone with "This is my moderator voice" in big red text in their sig, and who can't be ignorelisted, to (a) start threads on contentious topics, and (b) ESPECIALLY be insulting to people in those threads when they disagree.

Becase, well, among other things -- it isn't your moderator voice. Look at Henry, for example, who's really good about separating Henry-the-poster from Henry-the-mod.

 

[SweeneyTodd]

You've built your entire thread around a supposed immutable set of definitions (yours), invited discussion, and then graded posters 'right' or 'wrong' based on how close they come to your underlying assumptions. Nothing is being figured out here... we're just chasing down mythusmage's opinion on the subject. No fun.

This is another reason why people are sad about not being able to ignorelist him anymore.

I can think of at least four different times this year that I've seen this exact thread. God bless the poor guy, but he really thinks "guess-the-answer" is a valid form of debate. I know I wasted hours on some threads he started last summer.

It wouldn't be so bad if he was willing to suggest an open topic for discussion and then let people run with it, but considering he'll ask you not to stray from what he considers the right answer, that never happens.

Alan (mythusmage),

I'm not saying you're a troll, but seriously, please realize that when you post these topics in the way you do it, it's like pulling teeth. It's like those GMs who will kill your character unless you guess the action that they're thinking of. Please, Don't Be That Guy.

 

[mythusmage]

Is Mythusmage a Moderator

Provisionally.

I have moderator status in my forum. This forum being found in the Hosted Publisher Forums section of the ENGS forum. I have full moderator powers in that forum, and that forum alone. Outside that forum I am but a common shlub like anybody else.

The "This is my moderator voice" bit in my sig indicates when I am speaking as a moderator. So if you read something like, "Could you please post in a more civil manner" that is Mythusmage as a poster speaking. But if you see, "Could you please post in a more civil manner" that is Mythusmage as a moderator speaking. (I picked it up from RPG.net. )

Now if I was a moderator for the boards as a whole you would see a message like this in this thread:

Jumping to conclusions does little to advice the conversation.

So be happy Morrus et al have more sense than to inflict me upon you.

 

[mythusmage]

I'm not saying you're a troll, but seriously, please realize that when you post these topics in the way you do it, it's like pulling teeth. It's like those GMs who will kill your character unless you guess the action that they're thinking of. Please, Don't Be That Guy.

Believe me, I don't do that kind of thing. When I pose a conundrum I provide hints and clues. But to solve my posers you have to consider my hints and clues. And very often this requires what appears to be a tough act for some, paying attention to what I say.

Not to what you think I said, not to what you wanted me to say, to what I did say. (Told ya I was a ratbastard poster. )

So when I say in a thread that I intend to make you think, I do not intend to make you think about anything, but think period.

 

[SweeneyTodd]

So when I say in a thread that I intend to make you think, I do not intend to make you think about anything, but think period.

I know you really believe that, I just have to disagree. I mean no offense.

That bit where somebody posted "Huh? This whole thread was a guessing game?" a couple posts back? That seriously happens every time you make one of these threads. Every time. I'm not exaggerating.

I gotta be honest -- I've read dozens of posts you've made, and they're not difficult to read because of "big words" or anything. They're difficult to read because you seem to deliberately obscure whatever point you might be making. I'm just trying to say that it doesn't do anyone any favors.