thread: 2014-07-23 : The Trouble with RPGs
On 2014-08-12, kenf wrote:
In Moldvay Basic D&D:
The object is to garner wealth and power from the underworld. You might not be able to do it though because the underworld is a hostile environment full of deadly monsters and traps.
The object is to make your character more powerful in conflicts. You might not be able to do it though because conflicts are risky and can make your character less powerful or defunct.
The object is to have fun with your friends by collectively generating what happens to some imaginary para-military adventurers as they try to garner wealth, power and mission success in an eccentric medieval-fantasy-themed underworld. You might not be able to do it though because lots of things can happen in play that are not fun.
The object is to immerse yourself in the moment-by-moment existence of an imaginary para-military adventurer in a medieval-fantasy-themed underworld. You might not be able to do it though because the game components and procedures, the other players, and your own expectations and reactions can get in the way.
The object is to enable the other players to enjoy immersing themselves in the moment-by-moment existence of imaginary para-military adventurers in a quirky medieval-fantasy-themed underworld. You might not be able to do it though because there is all kinds of stuff in play that is outside your control.
This makes JMMM go "Well done!"
This here post, and the next, are at the heart of dysfunctional play in traditional RPGs.
