benlehman

I think a key point is that all the Explorative Elements(System, Situation, Setting, Character, Color) are basically building blocks, or lenses that can be used to focus play and give momentum to the group.

Exactly. I find the elements extremely helpful to analyze mechanics & play, though a single mechanic, of course, can affect/interact with more than one (or all 5!) at the same time.

There's some talk about what's a conflict resolution mechanic and what's not. If we step back a bit, we can see that all mechanics are tools used by a group to help them determine what they want to establish into the shared imaginary space/stuff that makes up the in-game world & events. Mechanics and source materials are processes that assist groups in creative collaboration.

Rules may resolve a conflict (social--between two players) or they may head off a conflict. For example, the choice of setting in a particular game helps cut down on long, drawn out discussions and potential conflicts about what the background & setting should consist of. That's just one way, of course. The people could just talk it out, or there could be a mechanical procedure by which everyone's input is incorporated and concensus it built. Mechanics and rules can also coordinate players's inputs such that tension and drama is built (eg kickers, Dogs in the Vineyard conflict resolution). But what all of them are doing is giving people cues and processes that help them create things together.