[TML] The Perfect Character Design

[Jerry W Barrington]

On 12/5/07 1:02 AM, Simon Brunning wrote:

> That's even better than The Window - <http://tinyurl.com/33joco>. Cool.

I tried to get into this system, but I'm rather turned off by his contempt
for "1st generation" gaming:
    "It's all very childish, but admittedly it can be fun once in a while."

He likewise characterizes "2nd gen" as more plot & character driven, leading
to "new roleplaying genres... horror, espionage, romance, wild west".  But
many people play *those* genres in the kill-things-loot-bodies mode as well,
so they aren't really a different thing.

What he describes as 3 generation of gaming are really just 3 aspects of
gaming (along a spectrum) that different people enjoy to greater or lesser
degrees.  To casually dismiss the kinds he doesn't prefer is kind of
snobbish & pretentious.

Also, he fails to realize *why* combat generally has more mechanics in games
than other character activities.  In part, it's that conflict (of all sorts)
is very *important* to stories.  RPGs are primarily about adventures, and in
most adventure books, shows, and movies, combat takes up a significant
portion.

And while he acts like his style of play will *replace* others, he admits
that those without RPG experience shouldn't start with it.