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Message: <blockquote data-quote="TwinBahamut" data-source="post: 4596549" data-attributes="member: 32536">I agree with you 100% here.Someone who hides behind the "feels like a videogame" argument and thinks it is unassailable is almost always simply trying to make an attack without having to defend or explain it. In many ways, it is an inherently meaningless statement, since no one other than the speaker can possibly know what it means. What is more, it is almost always possible to get something much more specific out of the argument.For example, SHARK has a specific "homogenized classes" argument that is more specific than the "feels like a videogame" argument. For him, he would be 100% better off just complaining about homogenization, and ignoring the videogame complaint entirely. After all, it is fairly clear that 4E is more homogenized than 3E. It is not clear that videogames tend to be more homogenous than tabletop RPGs. In fact, I disagree with the latter comment entirely. Many videogames can be wildly non-homogenous, with classes working on entirely different premises.For example, Final Fantasy Tactics has a wild mix of classes that rely entirely on basic attacks, classes that balance out strong attacks with a longer "cast" time, classes that balance attacks with MP cost, classes that balance strength with added randomness and unreliability (to an absurd degree), classes with attacks that are free but require tactical positioning, classes that potentially hurt allies in a range of effect at MP cost, classes that hurt every enemy at no risk to your allies at no MP cost (but instead have a unique continuous fire sub-system), classes with abilities that are limited by inventory rather than anything character-based, and some classes that just get all-powerful attacks that hit range, come out instantly, and kill everything for free (I'm looking at you, Orlandu). There is nothing nicely packed together and homogenized about it. In fact, it is deliberately wildly unbalanced, so some characters and classes are clearly superior to others in every way. In another game, Final Fantasy VI, each individual character has a totally unique special ability that has its own game subsystem, and the characters have wildly different abilities and capabilities.  And the "homogenized" argument completely breaks down when you realize that many games don't even have characters or classes, so homogenization of these characters and classes doesn't even make sense. Tetris is a classic example.What is more, many classic tabletop RPGs are homogenized. Pretty much every point-buy system like HERO has to be homogenized in order to even function. It simply doesn't work as a comparison of "videogame feel" vs. "not videogame feel", because homogenized or not has nothing to do with the inherent differences between videogames and tabletop RPGs.It is always like this. Someone claims that something has a "videogame feel", but they really mean something much more specific that does not really have a necessary link to videogames at all. If they want to complain about something, they should complain about the specific thing they don't like, not try to lump it up as the "negative influence of videogames" or that "terrible videogame feel". After all, using the "videogame feel" as a scapegoat for not liking something only assures that no one will understand your complaint and that you indirectly (or directly) insult the videogame hobby as being inferior or damaging to tabletop RPGs.Honestly, if SHARK simply tried to express dissatisfaction that 4E is a bit too homogenized, I may very well agree with him. After all, it is a bit too homogenized for my taste. However, the way he phrases that argument, through the "videogame feel", does nothing but alienate me and lead to more confusion and hostile discussion, in which everyone dodges the main point of discussion (homogenization) and instead argues about videogames and every other complaint about 4E under the sun. That is why complaining about "videogame feel" contributes nothing and just causes flame wars. I'm honestly surprised that complaint hasn't been permanently banned from ENWorld yet.</blockquote>

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