D&D 5E (2014) When generational differences become apparent

AaronOfBarbaria · Mar 18, 2016

discosoc said:
GenX = ROLEPLAYING game.
GenY = roleplaying GAME

...and those of us that emphasize both the role-play and game portions in equal degree, are we just the exceptions that prove your stated rule?

Sacrosanct · Mar 18, 2016

Tony Vargas said:
If you're not trying to make this about which generation is better, you might want to not try a little harder.

Sorry, I can't help it if you read into something that is literally the opposite of what I said and get your feelings hurt. One of the risks of addressing a group of people. Can't make everyone happy.

discosoc · Mar 18, 2016

AaronOfBarbaria said:
...and those of us that emphasize both the role-play and game portions in equal degree, are we just the exceptions that prove your stated rule?

It's not a rule, just a generalization. One that I've personally found to be very accurate. Of course there are exceptions. Even going back to the 90's I remember players (GenX'rs) who wanted more crunch in the rules. They usually had gaming backgrounds in Magic: The Gathering or Warhammer Fantasy/40k, where specific rules for all situations were the priority.

But in general, the comment I wrote previously is accurate in the players I've been with over the last 25 years.

I'm A Banana · Mar 18, 2016

Bah, I say!

I find any difference that is presumed to be generation can usually be explained better by things other than "kids these days vs. old fogies."

Some of what you describe seems to be a difference in play goals. Some of the folks you point to seem to be very "process-focused" - finding fun in the moment of saying what their character DOES. Others seem more "goal-focused" - getting through to the point that what their character does MATTERS A LOT.

With the MDA model, you could describe the former as maybe seeking abnegation or expression, with the latter seeking narrative and challenge.

That difference might be generational ("kids these days"). It might also be age-related, without fiting into a generational change narrative (old folks take it easier). It could simply be subtextual - folks you play with expect different things out of the game because of other games they've played.

Personally, regardless of the origins, I find that a diversity of play goals at my table help me to be a better DM and make adventures more fun. Paying attention to the different things people want out of the game makes my game more adaptive to its audience, and helps me work skills that I might not work on in isolation.

AaronOfBarbaria · Mar 18, 2016

discosoc said:
But in general, the comment I wrote previously is accurate in the players I've been with over the last 25 years.

Right, but it is inaccurate of the players I've been with over the same period, so I was asking how that information fits into your generalization.

discosoc · Mar 18, 2016

AaronOfBarbaria said:
Right, but it is inaccurate of the players I've been with over the same period, so I was asking how that information fits into your generalization.

How do you think it fits in? It supports my generalization, which is the whole reason I posted it. Your experiences vary? Great! You're a special snowflake, so enjoy it while you continue asking me this same question.

Tony Vargas · Mar 18, 2016

Sacrosanct said:
Sorry, I can't help it if you read into something that is literally the opposite of what I said and get your feelings hurt.

Oh, you're not hurting my feelings by implying that my generation are better roleplayers.

Sacrosanct · Mar 18, 2016

Tony Vargas said:
Oh, you're not hurting my feelings by implying that my generation are better roleplayers.

I didn't imply that. In fact, I explicitly said I wasn't doing that. The only way you think that is if you apply your own biases. That's on you, not me. For instance, I would say that whether you like to roll dice a lot or you don't, doesn't impact how good of a roleplayer you are because the two aren't strongly correlated.