I just thought I would point out that some of the concepts that are the backbone of the theory here have found themselves in, for what passes for mass media in the role-play world, the April issue of Dragon Magazine.  The article, which uses the terms “Gamist, Narrativist and Simulationist,” is entitled “The Ecology of the Adventurer.”  While the manner in which the author used the words does violence to the ideas informing them, I thought the diffusing of ideas out of here fascinating.  Yes, this is a game design site, but it also has a wonderful secondary mission of improving role-play for all players.  Maybe some games which have been or will be designed her which are exemplary expressions of the various CAs will be cited in future publications.  Maybe there will be a break out… !

The Escapist had done an article on this recently, as well.

Regards,
Daniel

"Ecology of the Adventurer?" That sounds like an April Fools' article. (March issue = April newsstand)

Larry wrote:
"Ecology of the Adventurer?" That sounds like an April Fools' article. (March issue = April newsstand)

Great... so GNS Theory--notoriously difficult to grasp--is presented inaccurately and as sarcasm in one of its first mass market presentations.

It sounds to me like Wizards is a little jealous that the "venerable" company they bought with their Cardstock Billions no longer defines "their" genre of play.

BOY, I need a COTT to LIE DOWN. ;-)
David

Dude, it's an April's issue, and it's presented by a Kobold. Overreacting much :P

I'd also like to note, Dragon is owned by Paizo, not Wizards.

That's hot.  I'm jazzed.

yrs--
--Ben

Thunder_God wrote:
Dude, it's an April's issue, and it's presented by a Kobold. Overreacting much :P

David,

You are out of line and out of control. Calm it down, and if you bring mockery on any poster here, you will be moderated.

Boycotting a product that you do not purchase anyway is ineffectual.

Calling for a boycott among other people who don't purchase it either is no more effectual.

The most likely effect of doing so for this reason is that people who hear about it think "Man, those Forge guys are a bunch of self-important jerks with no sense of humor."

Also, even if WotC did own Dragon, this wouldn't have had anything to do with jealousy, or The Man trying to Put You Down.

WotC don't care about the Forge. The amount of money involved is trivial. They're outselling you by the bushel.

The individual designers at WotC may care. The most likely effect of any interest on their part is some influence on future designs. Call me crazy, but I think you'd want that.

The most likely reason this showed up in an article is that the writer of the article has some interest in the theory. Maybe he doesn't get it. Maybe he gets it just fine, and distorted it for humorous effect. You can get all offended about it, but doing so doesn't matter. Getting offended for somebody else is just silly.

If you want to see more accurate portrayal of Forge theories in Dragon, try selling them an article on the subject. No idea if they'd even potentially be interested - I haven't read Dragon for about 15 years.

Better yet, try selling them articles about Forge games. Those are way more interesting and meaningful than the theory. Start with Dogs. It tends to produce "hey, cool" reactions even among those who don't find the subject matter interesting.

Most importantly, lighten up.

I retract it ALL: If Clinton doesn't care about GNS being mocked, and my attempts to defend the efforts of a board at which I am a member are "silly," then I have literally NO desire to assit (nor ANY clue as to how I might, frankly).

I was just giving props to my boys who are being mocked in a "main stream" periodical--and them boys don't even give a damn and call ME a mocker (?!).

Fine by me; I take it ALL back. Let's all have a good laugh at these silly gamers and their GNS; it's April, and if they can't take it, more mockery!

Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha.
David

Hi David,

If this article were intended as mockery for malicious reasons it would still be good. Gandhi said, "First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." Eventually Traditional games will fold in some of the Forges ideas. They can't ignore that Traditional games don't address who narrates when, or that there are potentially ways to increase the size of the hobby by offering games that address other needs. I doubt there will be a wholesale acceptance, but there will be some borrowing.

Ah geez.

Must I say it? Isn't it obvious? Being made fun of is part of the process. (Assembled multitudes: "What process is that?" Me: "Any process that yields anything.")

David, when someone's being unfair or juvenile, just zap me a private message. Clinton was totally right to moderate you, because you were posting defensively and emotionally ... and you know what? You still are, so quit it. Grow up a little.

Or, and Thunder God? You totally provoked him. Do that again and your posts hit the Inactive File. I don't have time to fuckin' babysit you as much as I do.

Now everyone kiss and make up. Read the parody. Chuckle and have fun. To be mocked, you have to be on the radar screen in the first place.

Best, Ron

P.S. High five to Clinton. Good eye.

If anything, it'll probably encourage some folks to check out The Forge, just so they can get the satire.  That's a good thing as far as I'm concerned.

My hopes exactly!

Hi guys,

I think this thread's run its course. Let's permit it to go night-night, now.

Best,
Ron