The Forge Reference Project

Topic: Turtling Citation
Started by: lumpley
Started on: 6/20/2005
Board: Site Discussion

Hey Ron or anybody, which article is "turtling" in? Is it even in an article?

I've done an Edit > Find (on This Page)... in every article, no luck.

I've searched the forums too, is there a definitive post I skimmed too shallowly?

-Vincent

Are these helpful?

http://www.indie-rpgs.com/viewtopic.php?t=13617

http://www.indie-rpgs.com/viewtopic.php?t=8928

I did this Google search:

turtling site:indie-rpgs.com

and the two above were among the five results generated.

Forge Reference Links:
Topic 13617
Topic 8928

Vincent,

I do not recall "turtling" appearing in any Forge articles. Nor, do I know of a definitive posting on it. I can say that it was used at the Forge as far back as 2003; first by Le Joueur here in A demoralizing day, and by Ron here in Bumpy Exalted Game

Julie

p.s. I see that Chris has already pointed to the second topic I referenced above.

Forge Reference Links:
Topic 63647
Topic 93036

Just in case you're interested, I also found this article outside the Forge:

"On-line English - the Word Games People Play" by Tony McEnery
http://domino.lancs.ac.uk/info/lunews.nsf/Tx/DA75A24F262612F080256D1900375CE3

Julie

And now for way too much information about uses of the world "turtling" (just 'cause I found it so interesting).

1. "Turtling" as reference to a static and/or extremely defensive strategy of game play. Must of the stuff I've encountered refers to online or console gaming, but I wouldn't exclude other strategy based games. Example: this discussion at Impossible Creatures Planet.

2. "Turtling" described as a corporate cultural phenomena: "That's when otherwise competent people withdraw from their responsibility to stand up, speak up, and tell truth to power." As referenced in "Beware Corporate Turtling" by Don Blohowiak of www.LeadWell.com.

3. And, of course, "turtling" the act of catching turtles.

Julie

I don't know if it's what you're after, but your question made me think of the thread linked below. As a bonus, it quotes Ron talking about turtling.

http://www.indie-rpgs.com/viewtopic.php?t=12379

Hope that helps...

Forge Reference Links:
Topic 12379

There is this short reference in "GNS & other matters"

Last section 4th paragraph from the bottom.

Ron Edwards wrote: The tragedy is how widespread GNS-based degeneration really is. I have met dozens, perhaps over a hundred, very experienced role-players with this profile: a limited repertoire of games behind him and extremely defensive and turtle-like play tactics. Ask for a character background, and he resists, or if he gives you one, he never makes use of it or responds to cues about it. Ask for actions - he hunkers down and does nothing unless there's a totally unambiguous lead to follow or a foe to fight. His universal responses include "My guy doesn't want to," and, "I say nothing."

best

Trevis

jrs wrote:
1. "Turtling" as reference to a static and/or extremely defensive strategy of game play. Must of the stuff I've encountered refers to online or console gaming, but I wouldn't exclude other strategy based games.

Yes, it is used in that sense even for single player games though, in diametric opposition to a Rush strategy. It is executed by constructing as impregnable a fortress as you can and inviting the enemy into your killzone.

That said though we are using it in slightly different contexts here; Ron is describing a socially defensive strategy, and I am describing a player action. But the sense of the term is consistent in both cases, and conveys the right meaning.

Heya,

1. "Turtling" as reference to a static and/or extremely defensive strategy of game play. Must of the stuff I've encountered refers to online or console gaming, but I wouldn't exclude other strategy based games.

Just a side note, it was also used as a term in the now dead CCG Deadlands: Doomtown. It refered to decks that would not risk combat but still had very effective strategies for victory. "Turtlebusters" was also used as a term to refer to cards and/or decks that were designed specifically to demolish that strategy. :)

Peace,

-Troy

Late to this, but in case it's still pertinent, Turtling came up I think in the discussion about "abused player syndrome." A search on that might help.

Mike