Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Imaro" data-source="post: 3558844" data-attributes="member: 48965">Yes, by Hussar's definition you are worldbuilding...if it doesn't relate to the adventure it's worldbuilding.  The medium, your mind as opposed to a piece of paper doesn't change this, neither does the actual time in which it takes place.  I don't really see the difference in what your expousing here and "worldbuilding".  To me it's sort of like the difference between someone who does math problems in their head and someone who uses scratch paper to work it out physically.  They're both doing mathematics.  Actually I would argue that intense curiosity about meaningless minutae is a human characteristic.  That differs only in so much as what it pertains to.  I know plenty of people who can spout off sport statistics, top designers and what they make, different artist and they're works, 80's cartoons.  So the whole "only nerds" thing is really a fallacy dependant moreso on where your desire for minutae falls in relationship to the majority of people.I really think the analogy is better suited to...bun=game rules(holds everything together)meat=adventures( it's the actual "meat" of the burger)worldbuilding=condiments( they're flavor and different people like different ones)Now, there's a wide majority of people who can eat a burger and be content, it nourishes you, stops the hunger pains, etc.  They can even eat the meat without a bun...freeform interactive storytelling without actual rules.  Now the question is are the condiments necessary. No.  Will certain condiments enhance the burger for the majority of people? Yes.  The trick is figuring out what "condiments" your players enjoy and focussing on those.Do they like new organizations they might join later(w/new feats and abilities)?Do they like interacting and creating relationships with the NPC's around them?Do they enjoy your particular take on the history and customs of a particular(or even all) race(s)?Just like the various playstyles(problem solver...hack n' slasher...etc.), which should shape how you design your adventures, player prefrences have to be considered in worldbuilding as well.  Otherwise, yes you do end up with wasted effort.You condemn RC and then make the blanket statement of "many DM's have been more interested in their own world than in a D&D game..."  Where?  Is this your experience, because I haven't been unlucky enough to have a DM like that.  It's a subjective thing period and is more dependant on the DM than any function of worldbuilding itself.I think that those who say "worldbuilding" is a waste, totally ignore those who do like ketchup, or onions, or cheese, or mayo, or whatever.  Like I said you can have just a burger and it does accomplish the necesary function of food...but if given the option I'll take mine with cheese, grilled onions and some ketchup and mustard.  Personally as playing D&D is suppose to be for enjoyment I as a player or DM would rather play a game(eat a burger) with the type of worldbuilding(condiments) I enjoy.  I'll even suffer through the elemnts that interest someone else, just like in an adventure, because it's a social game.</blockquote>

Verification