thread: 2006-01-05 : I suspect but can't prove...
On 2006-01-07, joshua m. neff wrote:
Fred,
1) Can you show some actual play in which what Vincent is talking about has led to fictional characters losing continuity and being "a bit more schizophrenic"? Or are you just assuming that this would be the case in such a game?
2) Continuity of character is an illusion that the audience creates. I can point to scads of fictional characters who behave differently from scene to scene, episode to episode. Some characters have been written by the same author, some written by a variety of authors. Different people in the audience will say "That character is really solid and believable!" while others will say "That character is really contradictory in behavior!" and still others will say "Huh? Who cares? The character is cool! Who cares if the character has continuity?" Do James Bond, Batman, Doctor Who, Tarzan have "continuity"?
3) Given that in many RPGs, the characters will change through play—sometimes dramatically, sometimes subtly—why would "continuity" of character even be a concern in RPGs?
4) Here's a wild thought: not all RPGs are for all people. If you're really that concerned about other players being able to change your character without your veto power, maybe that kind of RPG just isn't for you. Is that any reason to abandon the idea?
