What is "railroading" to you (as a player)?

[Fenris-77]

I don't think having freedom to solve situations creatively makes a linear game not linear.

I completely agree. I would probably count a lack of that freedom more as something related to railroading.

 

[Reynard]

Means that linear game is not a railroad.

Here's that definition thing again. If you only use "railroad" pejoratively, then sure.

 

[Fenris-77]

Means that linear game is not a railroad.

I don't think it is, no. Not by definition anyway.

 

[Reynard]

I don't think it is, no. Not by definition anyway.

That's part of the point: there is no singular definition.

 

[payn]

Here's that definition thing again. If you only use "railroad" pejoratively, then sure.

Which I do. In fact ive never heard anyone use railroad in any other way but pejoratively. You cant say its a simple playstye when railroading has clearly been linked with a bad way to play for all of its history.

 

[Reynard]

Which I do. In fact ive never heard anyone use railroad in any other way but pejoratively. You cant say its a simple playstye when railroading has clearly been linked with a bad way to play for all of its history.

There are folks in this very thread not using it that way.

 

[payn]

There are folks in this very thread not using it that way.

Yes, they are using it as a "less good way to play that some people like for some reason" and ignoring folks who find it objectionable. Then, tossing out the classic "too many definitions to mean anything". Its rehtorical device to control the concept.

 

[zakael19]

Much of the AP design world is a railroad that resembles CRPG play more then an evolving adventure. There’s relatively little space as written in most for the actions of the players to have significant changes in the direction of play outside of “which one of 3 factions gets you into the dungeon” or “which direction do you go in the dungeon!” And they often have a lot of direct blockers.

This is non-judgmental, but I think the more your game resembles this style of play the more “on rails” it is.

If your linear adventure means that there’s an A plot and B plot and C plot to resolution, but the actual plots are like questions posed to the players with only a sketch of the next one filled out so that it becomes highly responsive to the choices the players are making?
Then even if the ultimate premise as agreed was “stop the rise of the serpent emperor” then you’re considerably less “on rails” then most AP play.

 

[Reynard]

Yes, they are using it as a "less good way to play that some people like for some reason" and ignoring folks who find it objectionable. Then, tossing out the classic "too many definitions to mean anything". Its rehtorical device to control the concept.

There are some folks using it as a synonym for "linear."
For the record, i agree with you that it has a bad reputation, which is why I use "rollercoaster" when I am talking about a highly linear, forward driven adventure structure that is also fun.

 

[payn]

This is getting very offensive so im gonna back out. Thanks for the discussion so far.