Why the need for confession?

[JoeGKushner]

What is it gamers who've left a system hope to gain as they post about how X, Y, and Z no longer meet their needs if it ever did?

Looking for sympathy?

Putting on the public face of "I tried it." for future conversations?

Adding another tally to the internet edition non-flame wars?

Mind you I've got nothing against them, it just seems... odd. It's rare that I see a post talking about how a person is now playing Mutants and Masterminds after a long time away (and not bashing the old system/game/genre) or how they just remembered how great d20 Modern is (once again, without the tale of sorrow and wasted time). Usually it's a post about how game A doesn't do it for them and they're going back to a tried and true game.

Is it just easier to put down the notations of negative emotion?

 

[pawsplay]

I think it's just offering a different vantage to look at different gaming systems. Certainly, I am always interested in hearing about games and gaming, even ones I don't know.

 

[Markn]

It may also be one last shout for help with the system. Bare your soul sort of thing, explain your issues and maybe someone will post something that may be insightful about the system you hadn't thought of.

Or someone may offer a similar experience and suggest an alternative system they found to their liking.

 

[Krensky]

I think it's part of how people do 'word of mouth' reviews in real life (Don't see X, it was crap!) and looking for some sympathy, but more importantly reinforcement. Especially in a place like this. They're changing groups, so they might feel the need for others to agree with them to reinforce their descision to ditch whatever game it is.

It's probably similar to how group therapy or support groups spend a lot of time commiserating and stating what they've done.

 

[Mercurius]

Why is it that some people need to put a negative spin on what other people say or do, even when what they are saying is not negative?

Who knows, maybe I'm being an instant of my own complaint, but I think its safe to say that your comments are at least partially inspired by my post here , the closest thing to a "confessional" that I can see on the current front page. If so, you could have just asked in that thread rather than imply that I'm looking for sympathy. If you're curious and actually want to understand, just ask, but until then I'll just assume that you merely want to criticize.

 

[Obryn]

Because if we didn't talk about our experiences on ENWorld, this place would be much less interesting?

It's a forum for airing opinions. "Confessionals" are opinions, too.

-O

 

[JoeGKushner]

Why is it that some people need to put a negative spin on what other people say or do, even when what they are saying is not negative?

Who knows, maybe I'm being an instant of my own complaint, but I think its safe to say that your comments are at least partially inspired by my post here , the closest thing to a "confessional" that I can see on the current front page. If so, you could have just asked in that thread rather than imply that I'm looking for sympathy. If you're curious and actually want to understand, just ask, but until then I'll just assume that you merely want to criticize.

I didn't even click on it amigo. I notice a LOT of those types of threads, both here and on RPG.net and pondered their origin.

 

[Dice4Hire]

I blame Oprah and Geraldo, personally.

Seems like some people have to let it *all* hang out all the time.

The threads sure do get repetative, though.

 

[dm4hire]

I think they just want to sell their books, but don't want to come out and say it for fear they'll be branded as outcasts. So they let it be known they aren't into the game any more and sit back waiting for the inevitable PM asking, "how much do you want for the books?"

<Key somber infomercial music>

Otherwise we might want to start another sub forum called, "12 Step." Everyone who quits a game can go in and get help getting over their addiction to whatever game system they're giving up. Cause that's more likely the real reason they're writing that thread because they're jonesing for something to fill the void. Inside they're screaming, "I need my D&D!!!!" And what are we doing? We're criticizing when for less than the price of a cup of coffee a day you can help these poor gamers recover from their addiction and prevent them from sitting on the side of the street, holding a sign that reads "Have dice, need game." Won't you give?

<End somber infomercial music>

So yeah, that's my take on it. My only question is, how much do you want for your book?

 

[Snoweel]

Usually it's a post about how game A doesn't do it for them and they're going back to a tried and true game.

I think they assume the makers of the game will mistake a single whiny forum post with market research. So it's an attempt to have a disproportional influence on the future development of the game.

Either that or some kind of nerd revenge fantasy.. "See what you've done!!!! You've lost a customer!!!! Are you happy now?!?!?!?!? Are you???!!!???"


Mod note: Folks, what we have here is a problematic post - insults galore, and in hyperbolic tone to boot. Let's have no more of this sort of post, please.