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GNS / Big Model Open House
Hi.
I know that a fair share of RPG theory interested folks read this blog.
I'd like to test my own understanding of GNS / Big Model.
So:
I will answer any questions about the Big Model or GNS that you have, if you ask them in response to this post or in a private e-mail to me.
It would help if you would first read the essays here and here. These other ones won't hurt. Just the top part of the last two is fine.
a few ground rules:
1) I'm going to try to explain a theoretical model to you. I don't want to argue whether it is right or wrong. You can come to your own conclusions about that. If you post, I will assume that you are trying to understand the model, no more, no less.
1a) If you want to destroy the model, may I suggest that understanding it is a good first step?
1b) So no "that's stupid," stupid though it may be. "That doesn't make sense, please explain it a different way" is fine.
2) I will not diagnose GNS goals of games I've never played. I will not discuss any theory applying to LARPs, because they are complicated. I will not discuss books, movies, plays, improv theatre, ballet, or any other artform in the context of GNS, because doing so is stupid. I will discuss games which I have played, as examples, but pretty much only at the request of the GM who ran said game.
2a) If you ask about the GNS of your game, do not take a diagnosis that isn't what you want it to be to be an insult. It isn't.
3) I may add ground rules as things progress.
I know that a fair share of RPG theory interested folks read this blog.
I'd like to test my own understanding of GNS / Big Model.
So:
I will answer any questions about the Big Model or GNS that you have, if you ask them in response to this post or in a private e-mail to me.
It would help if you would first read the essays here and here. These other ones won't hurt. Just the top part of the last two is fine.
a few ground rules:
1) I'm going to try to explain a theoretical model to you. I don't want to argue whether it is right or wrong. You can come to your own conclusions about that. If you post, I will assume that you are trying to understand the model, no more, no less.
1a) If you want to destroy the model, may I suggest that understanding it is a good first step?
1b) So no "that's stupid," stupid though it may be. "That doesn't make sense, please explain it a different way" is fine.
2) I will not diagnose GNS goals of games I've never played. I will not discuss any theory applying to LARPs, because they are complicated. I will not discuss books, movies, plays, improv theatre, ballet, or any other artform in the context of GNS, because doing so is stupid. I will discuss games which I have played, as examples, but pretty much only at the request of the GM who ran said game.
2a) If you ask about the GNS of your game, do not take a diagnosis that isn't what you want it to be to be an insult. It isn't.
3) I may add ground rules as things progress.
no subject
You can have both narrativism and gamism at the same time in a game. Heck, I've done it. Check out my three things again and notice if one of them doesn't fit what you are thinking of.
Also -- do you have a particular game, which you have played, in mind? Is this about your Capes play? 'cause, if it is, I'll dig up the transcripts.
yrs--
--Ben
no subject
So, I'm not sure that other than a long back-and-forth question-and-answer session that we can easily say "Oh, that's what you're talking about." Though I'd love to see you prove me wrong. :)
Thomas
no subject
Can you write it up and we'll talk about it once I have a friggin' clue what's okay on?
yrs--
--Ben