D&D General Why defend railroading?

[Stalker0]

For me, unless my choice matters, it's not meaningful. If I choose A but that choice is irrelevant, i.e. no consequence, then it's not meaningful. So one. My answer is at least one consequence.

If you're using Quantum Ogre, you are, by definition, removing their choice. So there's no choice and therefore no impact of or on their choice. Tunnel A has the McGuffin. Tunnel B has the magic pool. The players choose A. Unless you let the players freely decide A and follow through with that choice (presenting them with the McGuffin), it's railroading.

But in the example presented, the choice still determines when the players find the mcguffin, and where they have the magic water to help then defeat the guardian.

the fact that I put the ogre in the way regardless of the decision does not remove all meaning from choice, and since you defined a single meaning as enough make the choice meaningful…the quantum ogre in this case has removed 0 meaningful choices from the player

 

[overgeeked]

Is it still role-playing game with that kind of set-up?

Partially yes and partially no. Because of my working definition of what a role-playing game is. If you have a better definition, I'm all ears.

 

[Cadence]

Partially yes and partially no.

If you are saying I wasn't playing an RPG with that set-up, then to answer something several posts back, it sure feels like you're one true waying in some of your posts. If you're saying you wouldn't call it an RPG but MyMMV, then that seems like a statement that's hard to object to

 

[overgeeked]

But in the example presented, the choice still determines when the players find the mcguffin, and where they have the magic water to help then defeat the guardian.

the fact that I put the ogre in the way regardless of the decision does not remove all meaning from choice, and since you defined a single meaning as enough make the choice meaningful…the quantum ogre in this case has removed 0 meaningful choices from the player

What?

Tunnel A has the McGuffin. Tunnel B has the magic pool. If I choose A and find the magic pool, that's railroading. If I choose A and find the McGuffin, that's not railroading. If you decide I'll fight an ogre no matter what choice I make, you're then railroading.

 

[Steampunkette]

Really? I've read every response. What do you think are the great and well-reasoned attempts?

 

[Morrus]

We did a sketch about this back in June 2020.

 

[overgeeked]

snip

So nothing. Good to know.

 

[billd91]

Yes, they have. And the responses have mostly been "I like it therefore it's good" the second best is "it's easier therefore it's good" and "how dare you not like the thing I like".

You really need to look in a mirror on this one because virtually everyone arguing with you is not saying that at all. No one is saying “how dare you not like the thing I like”, they’re saying don’t BadWrongFun the thing I like. Nobody gives a rat‘s ass what you like or that you don’t like what other people like. We’re all just sick of you pretty much declaring that what they like is BadWrongFun.

 

[Cadence]

So nothing. Good to know.

I often disagree with @iserith 's choices but almost never with his reasoning. I'd go back and start with those. And then a combination of laziness (a lot) and modesty (a little) prevents me from suggesting others.

 

[Morrus]

Really? I've read every response. What do you think are the great and well-reasoned attempts?

With all due respect, folks have been trying to engage with you honestly, and this is a pretty obnoxious thing to say. Dial it back a bit, eh? Or you'll end up getting threadbanned from your own thread, which would be pretty embarrassing.