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Message: <blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 4992005" data-attributes="member: 1210">I don't know if you realize this, but you're still denigrating other playstyles by suggesting that they are "just a game" while yours is "just a game + some other interesting stuff". You can have all that extra interesting stuff without a player-centric game. Well, to clarify, I definitely want the players in my game to enjoy the game- that's why they keep coming back for more- but I don't think entertaining the players is at the top of my duties as dm. It's on the list, but there are many more important aspects to my game (and, again, this is all about playstyle preference). For instance, I think running a consistent game is more important than stroking the players. So is building a consistent milieu. So is having my npcs and monsters act appropriate to their intelligence- the classic example of a mystery adventure where the Int 25 villain makes tons of stupid mistakes satisfies the players, because it makes it easy for them to win, but I find it terribly dissatisfying, since an Int 25 villain wouldn't make those mistakes. If I want a villain to act dumb, I make sure the villain actually is done- or that there is another reason for them to act that way (emotional entanglements, etc). Again, playstyle choice. DnD is indeed "just a game"- but, run and played right, it's a game that includes all kinds of crazy elements of acting, storytelling, etc. I think most players that have come to gaming within a group that coddles the players would be shocked at games like mine, and that is okay. Players that fit well with my style of game would be bored to death in a campaign where nobody ever dies, or where everything evolves to match the level of the party regardless of what level it was six game months ago. Dms that fudge the dice are fine for a certain style of game, but I roll almost all my dice in the open and let the chips fall where they may. Personally, a non-objective dm really sours me on a campaign very quickly.I think trying to claim the "more than just a game" label for your playstyle really implies a disdain for the way others play the game. I am pretty sure that isn't your intent, but that is how you are coming across to me. I'm not saying one style is "better" than the other- just that I have a strong preference for one over the other, and my players are perfectly happy to play my style of game. Hell, I almost always have a 'waiting list' of potential players longer than the 6-10 I let into the group! So if what you mean by "more than just a game" is "a game that your players really enjoy," I think you'll find that there are many, many groups that play very differently from yours whose members are having the time of their lives.</blockquote>

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