Cool Backstory Syndrome

[Not another shrubbery]

Originally Posted by whswhs

We have always been at war with Eastasia.

Not Eurasia?

oops...

Originally Posted by Ze'Manel Cunha

I would add that it isn't just game authors, us GMs tend to do this type of thing too, we write backstory as if we were writing for other GMs, but the truth is most players get information overload if we give them a brief which is intended for a GM...

As a player I almost always appreciate the little things that add authenticity to the setting... but as a GM, actually writing all that stuff down bores me to tears. I would much rather make broad outlines and wing the details as necessary. Consistency becomes the fly in the ointment :/

... or inconsistency, depending on which way you are looking.