thread: 2009-07-26 : Very Briefly about Authority
On 2009-08-03, Vincent wrote:
cc: Here's you from post #36:
"[i]This is where I've lost you, right?[/i]
Not as such, because thats far too loaded an argument for me to take seriously. Who would be against subtle and clever assignment of authority rather than crude? Is it the same people who are against motherhood and apple pie? The allegation that there are "many" designers who think that "crude" assignment of authority is a Good Thing seems to reek of straw men."
You've misunderstood.
I'm not arguing for a subtle and clever assignment of authority. I'm arguing that assigning authority is itself a brute solution to the problem. I'm arguing for a more subtle and clever solution to the problem than assigning authority.
I'm alleging - well, no, I said it outright, so - I'm claiming that some designers think that assigning authority is a good solution to the problem. I disagree with them (if they exist): I say that assigning authority is a brute solution to the problem, suitable only when you don't really care about the results. Better solutions exist and if you're designing a game you should look for one.
Now, hold that in mind, and: of course a game will assign authority. Duh. But a game will also grant permissions, and set expectations, and make demands, and offer opportunities, and impose constraints, and draw out contributions, and so on. If, as a designer, you think that all of those boil down to assign authority, then your design's going to suffer for it. You'll assign authority when you should be making a demand; you'll assign authority when you should be offering an opportunity; you'll assign authority when you should be granting permission.
Some designers think (I claim) that in roleplaying, authority is fundamental, so assigning authority is fundamental to design. Nope! In roleplaying, assent is fundamental, so soliciting assent is fundamental to design. Assigning authority is just one way of many to go about soliciting assent.
So, cc: do you have any questions about any of that, or does it all seem clear to you? Like I say, I expect this to take several back-and-forths, so for just right now, please hold off on telling me whether you agree with it or not. I just want to know if it's all clear, and of course I'm happy to answer your questions.
