Why is there a rush to define vintage gaming?

[Bullgrit]

Why is there a rush to define vintage gaming?

There's a rush?

I guess, if I were going to don my conspiracy hat, I'd wager that it's a drive by some people towards a revealing point where they can yank the tablecloth off and go "AHA! Not only are the dishes still standing, but there is no 'old school' and the people who are part of that movement* can't tell you why the old games are good, they're just being contrarians, and in fact the old games aren't good!" If I were going to don my conspiracy hat, that is.

Not a good way to start a discussion, by accusing someone of deceipt and ill intentions.

Why are you picking at it?

Why ask questions? That's ironic.

I just want to know why it's that damn important that some formula or category be found, and then people put in it.

No people are being "put" into any formula or category, that I can see.

I think it's mostly down to Bullgrit. The man likes his terms precisely defined.

In the case of "old school" I'd settle for just some majority concensus on what it means.

For myself, and my threads on "old school", I like discussion. I like to learn and understand. I saw many arguments and misunderstandings based on the ephemeral definition of "old school". I love what I consider "old school" D&D (AD&D1 and BD&D circa 1977-1985), and so I like discussing it to better understand it.

I have a question back to you: Why does it bother you to have people discuss the aspects, elements, and definition of "old school"? Why do you take the discussion negatively? Why do you think (with the conspiracy hat on) that those prompting and taking part in such discussion have some ulterior and sinister motive?

By the way, I think I like the term "vintage" better than "old school".

Bullgrit

 

[aboyd]

It is an edition war with the serial numbers filed off - yet another way to divide gamers into "Them" and "Us".

I think I like your first option better.

I engaged in the old school discussion merely because old school is what is fun for me. No intentions to bash editions, although I can certainly compare & contrast with the best of them. But for me, I find that learning about old school stuff is very useful. As an example, I used to play Keep on the Borderlands. I still have the module, but with no interest in adapting it to 3.5 edition. Surprise surprise, Goodman Games released Into the Wilds -- a 3.5 edition ripoff of Borderlands. OK, not really, but it has a lot of similarities. I would never have found that module -- nor most of the DCC modules that I love -- were it not for people chasing after the mythical old school game and finding it for me.

 

[Umbran]

I have a question back to you: Why does it bother you to have people discuss the aspects, elements, and definition of "old school"? Why do you take the discussion negatively?

Because, Bullgrit, many people put it negatively.

Maybe you missed it, but up above in the thread, there's a Nazi reference. Real nice, constructive, civil discussion there. If you don't think that's enough to put people off their feed on the subject, well, you're just wrong.

As I said, there's aspects of Edition War here. Don't be blind to it. Take it into account.

 

[billd91]

Actually, from what I have observed and read on various blogs, the desire to codify and define "old-school" is being done by the proponents of old school gaming, not the conspirators you are accusing, which by your post seem to be 3e and 4e players.

To observe from ENworld, a fair number of detractors and skeptics are (un)defining it as well.

 

[Umbran]

Because the modern day 4e players are trying to figure out who to round up and put on the box trains and who gets to stay and play D&D.

Just to be clear - likening people to Nazis rounding up Jews is a really, really good way to get yourself booted from a thread.

 

[catsclaw227]

Maybe you missed it, but up above in the thread, there's a Nazi reference. Real nice, constructive, civil discussion there. If you don't think that's enough to put people off their feed on the subject, well, you're just wrong.

Because the modern day 4e players are trying to figure out who to round up and put on the box trains and who gets to stay and play D&D.

Just do what I'm doing, hide in the walls with your group and play D&D real quietly. Hopefully the 3e players will soon rescue us and end the persecution.

Wow. Just... wow.

I wasn't sure what Umbran was talking about until I read further.

EDIT: Sorry Umbran, didn't see your most recent mod post. Didn't mean to fan the flame.

 

[catsclaw227]

To observe from ENworld, a fair number of detractors and skeptics are (un)defining it as well.

Agreed. While the threads in the posts here on EnWorld aren't started because someone wants to put a bad spin on what old school gaming is, there have been some posts in the past week or two that have been detractors taking shots at the OSR. Not cool either.

But I was mostly referring to the Grognardia's of the blog'o'sphere who have been at it for several months now.

 

[aboyd]

OSR = Old School Renaissance?

 

[MichaelSomething]

For example, what if I wanted to talk about the "Lanwata" gaming style. When you ask what the "Lanwata" gaming style is, I tell you it's undefinable. How can you understand what "Lanwata" is if I can't tell you what it is?

Are you willing to find a "Lanwata" style game and spend the next month of your gaming life playing it (assuming of course a "lanwata" style exist near you and that you can get in it)? What if after that month, you decide to join another "Lanwata" style game and they tell you that you've been doing it complete wrong and to play "Lanwata" style you have to learn a different system and play method then the one you learned last month?

 

[catsclaw227]

OSR = Old School Renaissance?

I just got caught reusing an acronym that I didn't know.

I saw it in use and figured it meant Old School Revolution. But Old School Renaissance sounds more..... old school.