RPG Philosophy

Anders · 11-28-2010, 08:22 AM

Is the DM willing to prevent munchkins but not able?
Then the munchkin is his girlfriend.
Is he able but not willing?
Then he is a powergamer.
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh min-maxing?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him the DM?

Do unto your players as you would have them do unto you

To the GM: "Rule only according to that maxim by which you can also will that it would become an official ruling."

William · 11-28-2010, 08:42 AM

The RPG System Incompleteness Theorem: Within any setting of sufficient complexity that the game is nontrivial, using any finite system of rules, there can be formulated a situation in which the rules do not give a clear outcome, and for which the most fun outcome may be selected without causing the rules police to burst into your home.

Fred Brackin · 11-28-2010, 09:25 AM

Have fun. Help others have fun. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Hemlock · 11-28-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Brackin

Have fun. Help others have fun. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Agreed.

Gaming in general ...

There are only two ways to play a game.

1. Play to win.

2. Play to have fun.

If you aren't winning and aren't having fun, then stop playing.

RPG's have no way to 'win', therefore, you must be playing to have fun.

Rocket Man · 11-28-2010, 12:24 PM

The player thinks for the PC, therefore the PC is -- but the PC is not therefore the player. Mistake not the insubstantial for the substantial, the fictitious for the real, the one who slays dragons for the one who steals Doritos.
--Descartes

Anders · 11-28-2010, 12:28 PM

Yeah, but I wanted real-world philosophy cast into an RPG mold. Hence the butchered Epicurus quote (which I totally stole from another site.)

"A gaming group arises, as I conceive, out of the needs of mankind; no one is self-sufficing, but all of us have many wants."

"He who is not a good servant will not be a good game master."

"The masters of the game are the only persons who ought to have the privilege of cheating, either at home or abroad; they may be allowed to cheat for the good of the game."

Plato

Fred Brackin · 11-28-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asta Kask

Yeah, but I wanted real-world philosophy cast into an RPG mold.

That's what I gave you.
<sarcasm>
Oh, wait. You wanted something from somebody with credentials and I only took one undergrad class in philosophy.

Sorry.
</sarcasm>

Anders · 11-28-2010, 12:43 PM

It's a parody thread. Get into the spirit of things.

"Rules are only a tool. They will take you wherever you wish, but they will not replace you as the driver."

Ayn Rand

Lord Carnifex · 11-28-2010, 05:43 PM

Anything that is done for a +5 Vorpal Sword is beyond Lawful Good and Chaotic Evil

The immersive roleplayer considers all things in regards to his character, including himself

Could it be that this saint in the woods has not heard, that the GM is out of Mountain Dew?

-Nietzsche

Agemegos · 11-28-2010, 07:02 PM

I have learned in whatever game system the GM prefers, therewith to be content.

St. Paul of Tarsus — Epistle to the Rules-Lawyers

11-28-2010, 08:22 AM	#1
Anders Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden	RPG Philosophy Is the DM willing to prevent munchkins but not able? Then the munchkin is his girlfriend. Is he able but not willing? Then he is a powergamer. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh min-maxing? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him the DM? Do unto your players as you would have them do unto you To the GM: "Rule only according to that maxim by which you can also will that it would become an official ruling." __________________ “When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...” Marcus Aurelius

11-28-2010, 08:42 AM	#2
William Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Upper Peninsula of Michigan	Re: RPG Philosophy The RPG System Incompleteness Theorem: Within any setting of sufficient complexity that the game is nontrivial, using any finite system of rules, there can be formulated a situation in which the rules do not give a clear outcome, and for which the most fun outcome may be selected without causing the rules police to burst into your home.

11-28-2010, 09:25 AM	#3
Fred Brackin Join Date: Aug 2007	Re: RPG Philosophy Have fun. Help others have fun. Don't sweat the small stuff. __________________ Fred Brackin

11-28-2010, 12:24 PM	#5
Rocket Man Petitioner: Word of IN Filk Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Longmont, CO	Re: RPG Philosophy The player thinks for the PC, therefore the PC is -- but the PC is not therefore the player. Mistake not the insubstantial for the substantial, the fictitious for the real, the one who slays dragons for the one who steals Doritos. --Descartes __________________ “It's not railroading if you offer the PCs tickets and they stampede to the box office, waving their money. Metaphorically speaking” --Elizabeth McCoy, In Nomine Line Editor Author: "What Doesn't Kill Me Makes Me Stronger" Last edited by Rocket Man; 11-28-2010 at 08:54 PM.

11-28-2010, 12:28 PM	#6
Anders Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden	Re: RPG Philosophy Yeah, but I wanted real-world philosophy cast into an RPG mold. Hence the butchered Epicurus quote (which I totally stole from another site.) "A gaming group arises, as I conceive, out of the needs of mankind; no one is self-sufficing, but all of us have many wants." "He who is not a good servant will not be a good game master." "The masters of the game are the only persons who ought to have the privilege of cheating, either at home or abroad; they may be allowed to cheat for the good of the game." Plato __________________ “When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...” Marcus Aurelius Last edited by Anders; 11-28-2010 at 12:32 PM.

11-28-2010, 12:43 PM	#8
Anders Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden	Re: RPG Philosophy It's a parody thread. Get into the spirit of things. "Rules are only a tool. They will take you wherever you wish, but they will not replace you as the driver." Ayn Rand __________________ “When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...” Marcus Aurelius Last edited by Anders; 11-28-2010 at 12:48 PM.

11-28-2010, 05:43 PM	#9
Lord Carnifex Join Date: Oct 2005	Re: RPG Philosophy Anything that is done for a +5 Vorpal Sword is beyond Lawful Good and Chaotic Evil The immersive roleplayer considers all things in regards to his character, including himself Could it be that this saint in the woods has not heard, that the GM is out of Mountain Dew? -Nietzsche __________________ An ongoing narrative of philosophy, psychology, and semiotics: Et in Arcadia Ego "To an Irishman, a serious matter is a joke, and a joke is a serious matter."

11-28-2010, 07:02 PM	#10
Agemegos Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oz	Re: RPG Philosophy I have learned in whatever game system the GM prefers, therewith to be content. St. Paul of Tarsus — Epistle to the Rules-Lawyers __________________ Decay is inherent in all composite things. Nod head. Get treat.

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