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

[lordsmerf.livejournal.com]

Also: the CCG is a rather elegantly designed one.

It's also a fascinating look at the way the West does see Japan...

Thomas

[benlehman.livejournal.com]

From all accounts, the CCG is an excellent game. Never played it myself.

It would be fascinating to look at the way that the West sees Japan if it wasn't so hard to find anything Asian at all in RPGs.

yrs--
--Ben

[matt-rah.livejournal.com]

I think the solution is to get people from those countries, or at least with a solid knowledge of those cultures, to write the RPGs. Easier said than done, I know. I remember asking you about Japanese RPGs once. You told me about this "Ender's Game with Giant Robots" kind of thing which sounded cool. But no samurai. :-)

Matt

[benlehman.livejournal.com]

I'll ask Andy about that when he has a moment, which may be a while.

[(Anonymous)]

Have you looked at Sengoku? I am told it has a very good grasp on Historical Japan.

[benlehman.livejournal.com]

Hi, anonymouse guy! Got a name?

Yeah, Sengoku would be great if I was interested in history. But I'm really interested in stories, myths, and legends.

yrs--
--Ben