Author Topic: An interesting discussion on the subject of GM fiat and game design  (Read 1836 times)

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Zeke

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Vincent Baker (designer of Dogs in the Vineyard and other fine games) has a great discussion going on his blog. I invite you all to check it out.

http://www.lumpley.com/comment.php?entry=434
« Last Edit: April 17, 2009, 03:47:54 PM by Zeke »

Robert Bohl

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Re: An interesting discussion on the subject of GM fiat and game design
« Reply #1 on: April 17, 2009, 03:33:33 PM »
It makes my head swim. In a good way. I said to him "I don't get the old school renaissance," and he started drawing clouds and arrows and boxes.

PhaedrusXY

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Re: An interesting discussion on the subject of GM fiat and game design
« Reply #2 on: April 17, 2009, 03:37:54 PM »
Quote
Please be less combative in your posts here.
  :lol There was nothing combative at all in that guy's post, unless you consider criticism and not automatically agreeing with you to be combative.
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

Zeke

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Re: An interesting discussion on the subject of GM fiat and game design
« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2009, 03:43:42 PM »
I think it's important to remember that the world is not always like  our boards. Vincent was asking him to further the discussion. While it's OK to shout "Nuh Uh" here and expect that people should try to prove you wrong, it is not so everywhere.

Robert Bohl

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Re: An interesting discussion on the subject of GM fiat and game design
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2009, 03:44:38 PM »
Zeke's exactly right. You'll note that he and Callan resolved things very cleanly.

Zeke

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Re: An interesting discussion on the subject of GM fiat and game design
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2009, 03:51:40 PM »
What interests me is Vincent's refinement of the GM's role. Even what he calls fiat involves operating inside the rules of the given game. Still, in some games the pendulum has swung so far theother way , that I do see the need for the so called old school renaissance.

PhaedrusXY

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Re: An interesting discussion on the subject of GM fiat and game design
« Reply #6 on: April 17, 2009, 07:02:01 PM »
While it's OK to shout "Nuh Uh" here and expect that people should try to prove you wrong, it is not so everywhere.
Right. For example, it's not ok to do that in Communist China when criticizing the government, nor would it have been alright to have stood up in a Gestapo meeting and criticized Mein Kampf. For other, less oppressive, places, it is perfectly fine to express general disagreement with someone's opinion, even if that someone has some measure of authority in that location (like as in moderating a forum/blog/etc). And yes, I did just Godwin the thread, but I'd argue that it was appropriate. :P

I think his reply that Callan was being "combative" indicated that he is overly sensitive to criticism of his opinions, and the way he said he wanted to "educate" Callan made him sound grandiose (and made me want to vomit). I find nothing interesting in that discussion. In fact, I think it is irritating and disjointed, and does anything but foster an environment for "interesting" discussion of the topic.

I have no experience at all with anyone posting there, other than this thread. Maybe he's otherwise a swell guy and writes amazing material, and that Callan guy is a jerk-bag and Vincent was just preempting something nasty. I have no idea. I'm just commenting on the link.
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

Robert Bohl

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Re: An interesting discussion on the subject of GM fiat and game design
« Reply #7 on: April 17, 2009, 07:04:11 PM »
If Callan didn't have a problem with it, why do you? Clearly it was functional communication for those guys.

PhaedrusXY

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Re: An interesting discussion on the subject of GM fiat and game design
« Reply #8 on: April 17, 2009, 07:09:50 PM »
I'm being combative. See the difference?  :smirk
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

Robert Bohl

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    • Misspent Youth
Re: An interesting discussion on the subject of GM fiat and game design
« Reply #9 on: April 17, 2009, 07:17:15 PM »
Yes, I do. Why?

PhaedrusXY

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Re: An interesting discussion on the subject of GM fiat and game design
« Reply #10 on: April 17, 2009, 07:31:52 PM »
To prove my point, and because I enjoy it. I'll stop now, though. :D
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]