Why the hate, people?

[Blue_Kryptonite]

In my case, I come back to one system because I like the way it feels. I don't actually use all the rules, or even use them correctly, in any of the dozens of systems I own and have played. I'm on the story-focused side of the fence, and my players are usually right there with me. The system is just window dressing and character modeling language, and the best, most dramatic events will have likely played out the same regardless of system used.

 

[Particle_Man]

Some of it may come down to frustration after running or playing a certain game. The frustration might be a conflict between personal play-style and the ruleset, or a problem with the ruleset itself, or a problem with the DM/players one gamed with. The trick is not to confuse frustration with hatred.

Personally, I don't hate games (I find it hard to hate pieces of paper) but there are some I would never play (FATAL, for example) and others that would not be my first choice (I put RIFTS here -- I will play it if I know the DM/GM is good with RIFTS, though) and others I would love to play but can't (C&C - but currently I am running one (for 9 year olds) and not playing it -- always a bridesmaid...).

And although I usually play D&D, I would have loved to play a character in Mage: The Ascension. I was thinking of a private detective type (who really was a p.d. before being awakened), who basically ignored his magical heritage except as it was useful to his job, and used Time and Space to look for clues. Nothing flashy. But I never got a chance to. If I were running a Mage game, I would ignore the metaplot (not to my taste) but I'd be cool with it.

 

[BigFreekinGoblinoid]

...
4. ENWorld attracts an intelligent bunch of posters, many of whom bring education and professional expertise to the forums that enriches debate.

Gosh Darn poo poo!

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I wish I had enough experience with other systems to involve myself in spirited comparisons, but I just don't. I do enjoy reading others observations of the differences/benefits of other RPG's though. As an impartial outsider without the benefit of detailed knowledge of the workings of these other systems, it is sometimes amusing see the normative opinions of some trying to be passed off as truths though.

 

[Crothian]

Don't hate the game, hate the player. The people involved in playing the game ruin it mor ethen the game's ruleset in my experience. This is mostly one shots at conventions when I'm trying out a new game and I get paired with a bunch of the die hard fans that suck the fun out of the game. But even when that happens I can still enjoy the game on its own, I did give d20 a second chance.

 

[Henry]

I'm a tactician/method actor, which is kind of an odd combination but that's just how I am.

After reading through it the past few days, I'm beginning to wonder if I'm not a storyteller/casual gamer, myself - though I've seen myself as more a tactician, the things I find myself enjoying most are in those emotional "kicks."

 

[GlassJaw]

OK, Shadowrun didn't have any merits

Ok, now I want to argue. Shadowrun RULEZ!



But seriously, I don't see much "hate" on EN World. Sure, some people have their preference to certain games but I rarely see (if ever) any major conflicts (although some people like to continuously remind everyone else what their favorite game is).

My problem is that I like too many systems but I don't have enough time to play them all (like Shadowrun).

 

[nothing to see here]

I honestly believe that a depressingly large segment of the gaming population is still struggling psychologically with having been ostracized/bullied in their developmental years, and this sort of vehemence is nothing more than lashing out at the ghosts of their pasts. [END QUOTE]

An interesting theory, if still more speculative pop psychology than real fact. I'd be sure to agree that more fams of RPG's who took them up in their formative years, suffered under the social hierarchy of their school years, than benefited from it.

I think the theory misses the mark somewhat though. RPG fans are like are like any other non-mainstream niche hobby...truly enjoyed only by those who don't mind being set apart. I'd actually go a step further and say, that most RPGers people who enjoy the feeling of being a 'set apart'. It would therefore make sense that this same personality type (that enjoys segementation from wider 'socierty') would, in turn, look for segmentation WITHIN, their little subculture...and therefore demean other peoples pursuits.

So in short...feeling smug about White Wolf's superiority over D&D is because the people arguing are the same people who feel smug about RPG's superiority over, say, watching American Idol.

In essence it's a feeling of artificial superiority based on a self-defined stratification...and the fact that lots of people do it, and do it in different directions, means that each will always have an 'enemy' to rail against.

As in many things, the internet only magnifies this effect. For people who frequent RPG boards on the net...the interest in the hobby approaches fetish-like levels (and I mean it in the nicest possible way)...and, as a consequence, revelling in their self-defined stratificaiton is itself magnified beyond the norm...

...that and the already mentioned anonymous nature of the internet. I might actually know what I'm talking about, or I could be talking out of my ass. Heck, I might even be eight years old, who knows?

 

[Mythmere1]

I'm with JoshuaDyal. After playing lots of systems and liking many, I've tended to settle into one - Castles & Crusades.

I've liked CoC (original versions' what I played), Deadlands d20 (I think I would have liked the original better, but oh well), T20, and, of course, D&D in all its incarnations.

I think I settled into C&C based on genre, and prefer it over D&D 3E because it's a simpler system that allows more time for roleplaying.

I think that's the reason why older gamers have a preferred system, although it doesn't explain the hostility.

I think the hostility comes from the disjunct between the different TYPES of gamers not understanding other modes of play. From edition wars to all the other topics that engender flame wars, hostility seems to come from the clash of gaming priorities.

Also from the fact that without facial expressions, the written language usually comes across more harshly than intended by the writer. Hence smilies.

 

[Desdichado]

For people who frequent RPG boards on the net...the interest in the hobby approaches fetish-like levels (and I mean it in the nicest possible way

Heck, you're right. I know I only post in my Dom gear.

 

[reanjr]

Also from the fact that without facial expressions, the written language usually comes across more harshly than intended by the writer. Hence smilies.

I find it best to always take a post on a message board in the friendliest/funniest way you can think to take it. It seems to usually hit pretty close to what the author intended.