thread: 2009-06-08 : Restating: Fictional Causes and Realization
On 2009-06-09, Christopher Kubsik wrote:
Ralph,
I can't address concerns about Vincent distancing other games (or not)... I have not context for that.
I did want to say that I don't think anyone needs rewards for imagining anything.
The issue at hand—from my view, if not anyone else's—is a problem with not sharing in the Shared Imagined Space. When I slip out of games, in situations like those Vincent has described—it's because a player is making "things" happen, rules are being used, and it's like sitting at a movie where the camera angels are so sloppy and ill-chosen that I have no idea what is going on... and I check out.
While this might be my delight alone, its the social act of making things up together that brings me to an RPG table. Just like a writer or film maker is responsible for communicating details to the audience, so I enjoy when Players lay out the narrative details to enrich the experience of the other Players who are, at that moment, audience members.
In fact, in my view, its less of creating something "shared" than gifts given back and forth between the players. "Here's a narrative detail." "And here's one for you." And so on. Bonus Dice in Sorcerer and Fan Mail in PtA are ways of saying "Thank you," to people for the creative gifts. That's why I prefer them to other mechanics I've encountered that say, "If you do this then your PC gets that." I'm much more interested in what everyone at the table is handing to each other.
