What questions are on an exam on RPGs?

[Herobizkit]

1. Who was Blackleaf, and what part did he or she play in the history of RPG's?
2. What part did H.G. Wells play in the development of RPG's?

I'd fail this exam. :X

 

[Jack99]

How much does a female hill-giant weigh in AD&D 2e?

 

[akbearfoot]

Gygax! Ahhhhh! -runs screaming in terror!-

 

[roguerouge]

Describe how the divide in perspective and goals between players and DMs affect the publishing market for RPGs. Use Enworld, Paizo, White Wolf and WotC as your case studies.

What are the basic personality types of gamers? How do gamers that self-identify with one personality profile relate to those who strongly tilt towards one of the others?

How has various digitial media changed the economics and game play of formerly exclusively table-top RPGs?

Should a character with evil intentions but good actions be detectable as evil and, if so, what consequences should answer have on world-building?

How does the empirical and directly observable existence of an afterlife change character morality?

Compare, contrast, and evaluate gamist vs. simulationist philosophies.

How was industry game design affected by the accusations of occultism in America?

What are the common ways in which it is argued that role playing, as an activity, influences or changes its players?

Playing role playing games or watching television: which is the better activity for a teenager?

Describe how shifting from LARP to tabletop to MMPORGs encourages different styles of performance by players.

Which one person should be credited with inventing Dungeons and Dragons? Why should it be your selection and not others?

Should prisoners be allowed to play role playing games? Which prisoners? Which games?

What was the best module ever written? Defend your selection on its merits and explain why it is better than other obvious contenders for that title.

 

[Kwalish Kid]

For a less humorous take on the question..

"Do any theories of Normative ethics support the principle of 'killing things and taking their stuff'? Why or why not?"

To me, that's the funniest thing in the thread!

roguerouge, your list is so perfect it's almost scary.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

What is the minimum number of people needed to play an rpg?

List 3 rpg systems with a setting or metasetting and 3 for which the core rulebook provides no default setting or genre (not all must be in print currently, but all must have been print products.)

Give two examples of randomizing tools that could be used in an rpg besides dice.

Essays, choose two of the below :
*What is the smallest number of numerically variable descriptors that an rpg can use and describe "fully fleshed out" characters? Give them names and brief descriptions.

*Can an rpg describe characters without any numerical variables? Defend your answer.

*Is it necessary for characters in an RPG to advance their abilities in order for a system to be considered complete? Why or why not?

*What level of randomization in character creation provides the best long term play experience? Is there a distinction between randomized characteristics and randomized power level?

 

[roguerouge]

To me, that's the funniest thing in the thread!

roguerouge, your list is so perfect it's almost scary.

Why, thank you! You're very kind. (I am a teacher, so there is a form to such things.)

In fact, in one game, I gave a PC an exam to take while he was on a vision quest. (Everyone else in the world on the same quest was in the auditorium taking the same exam, in fact.) He had to take the exam while I dealt with what the others were doing in game.

Needless to say, his character had encountered NONE of the groups or ideas referenced below.

What I was actually interested in was his answers to the mix and match section, as those referenced the various character roles of the other PCs and significant NPCs, while the items would do... well, I wasn't sure at the time, but something significant, you can bet.


FT360: Understanding The New Way

Prof. ________________ (please fill in the name of your shaman here)

Name of Vessel: ___________________ (that's you, berk!)

First Exam

Part One: Multiple Choice Questions (5 points each; choose the letter corresponding to the best answer; answer all questions)

1. Which of the following is a pre-heavenly device:
a. Latham Loop
b. portapak
c. fardango
d. zoopraxiscope
e. All of the above

2. According to Tom Gunning, the first modes of theistic exhibition consisted of a “theater of attractions,” which envisioned God as:
a. a series of visual shocks
b. a series of sound bursts
c. a series of panoramas
d. a series of talking heads
e. all of the above

3. According to Andre Bazin’s writings in What is Your God? Volume 1, the godly image:
a. has “the irrational power… to bear away our faith.”
b. “Is objectivity in time”
c. “Brings the spectator into a relation with the image closer to that which he enjoys with reality.”
d. All of the above
e. none of the above

Part Two: Essay Questions (Write a concise, coherent and thoughtful essay for each of the questions that you select. You must choose two of the following questions; worth 35 points each.)

1. Trace the rise of the Legion(s) of Decency. What role did various organizational, legal, financial, technological, ideological, market and message factors play in their ability to influence the New Way?
2. Name two mysteries of our God and explain their significance in contemporary society.
3. Compare, contrast and evaluate pagan, Gaian, gnomish, and New Way oratories about the Apocalypse. What techniques are common to each style of preaching? What are the implications of each style? Which do you prefer?
4. How would you attempt to convert to the New Way the following: a kobold, a cat, a human, and a half-orc? Use examples from your life where relevant.
5. "Canst thou put wisdom in the inward parts? Canst thou give understandings of the heart? Hast thou donned the veil of beauty? Weather the hard demands of truth?" Explain.

Part Three: Mix and Match (1 point each. In your exam booklet, link the name in the first grouping with the item in the second grouping.)

1. Trickster
2. Mother Courage
3. Knight Protector
4. Shaman
5. Temptress
6. Confidante
7. The Wanderer
8. The Wilder
9. The Witch

A. Sonic Youth.
B. Unicorn's horn.
C. Nightmare Alley.
D. Lady Shoggoth.
E. Essence of Tremorsense.
F. 1 Gross Gnoll's ears.
G. Dragon's Tears.
H. Essence of Virgin's Lust.
I. Frost Worm's Trill.