Gamer Question

[benlehman]

People who like L5R: Why?

Why do you like a top-heavy, orientalist, highly westernized fantasy of Japan that is simultaneously less gameable and less interesting than the "real thing" (either a historical period or something based on Japanese myth.) Real Samurai had complicated lives of politics, betrayal, war, and power. Y'know, human issues. L5R Samurai seem to worry mostly about "taint" and "honor" and kill themselves all the damned time.

Not to mention that China and Korea are reduced to "the shadowlands" that are EVIL and full of "taint."

And please don't say it is the system. 'cause that is a whole nother rant.

(Clarification: I have no trouble believing that a lot of people like L5R. Just that twice today I have seen folks who I think of as rational, sane people, very hip to racial, cultural, and historical issues, praise the game. I'm really curious -- why? Am I missing something?)

Comments

[benlehman.livejournal.com]

Sort of. The thing is, L5R isn't about Japanese culture at all. It is simply about western perceptions of Japanese culture: a strange, artificial thing that was built up starting with the defeat of the Russian fleet and continuing through 'til today. It is purely a western myth.

I can and do take my mythology from around the world. I guess it is just disappointing to me that L5R takes no Asian myths and stories at all. The samurai game that I want is about Japan, not about Europe's insecurities.

yrs--
--Ben

[locke61dv.livejournal.com]

"The samurai game that I want is about Japan, not about Europe's insecurities."

You did lol me here.

[evilmagnus]

You really don't want to see what Erick W. did with 'Mythic China', then. Look at the credits. Then ask denyse how she feels. And stand well back.

[benlehman.livejournal.com]

I have heard a tiny corner of that rant, though I'd be happy to hear the whole thing whenever she's got the *heh* time.

yrs--
--Ben