(MUCK) System Thoughts
The excitement/uproar over changing settings on Furryfaire seems to have dulled somewhat, and it doesn't feel like it's any closer to being done. That's... not unusual, I'm sorry to say, and it's one thing that makes it harder for me to get involved in the MUCK's "present/true" story. I'm left feeling there's going to be a big change that will render choices I make now pointless, only it doesn't happen for months (if at all).
One thing I don't remember seeing in the system poll was the option to go fully freeform. And right about now, I'm wondering if that might not be the way to go. Granted, I've often felt it wasn't right simply because I didn't true players to play nice. And yet, I remember very, very few scenes that were meaningful in some way where the system was in play. And as I see more and more "tabletop-style" games done online peter out or otherwise crumble, I'm left wondering if the trade-off may be worth it.
Pros of Freeform RP:
It's quick and easy. There's no coding required. There's no learning of system required. You don't bog down scenes with die rolls. And that really sums it up. One bit advantage of simplicity.
Cons of Freeform RP:
"Proper" play requires perhaps a deeper knowledge of the setting itself. This is probably still less than learning a system, but if things are to be kept in-theme, people do need to take the time to know what qualifies as far as technology, culture, magic, etc.
It's utterly reliant on the players to decide how things go. And that's been the drawback that usually puts me off about it. Things can easily devolve into a childish game of "I got you!" "No you didn't!" I might go so far as to say I hate and fear that. The only limits to what power gaming people can get away with is what other people can socially enforce somehow.
Is it worth trading "clean" arbitration of conflict for freedom and simplicity? I don't know how you prevent people from running wild and screwing things up for others. People usually find a way with a system, saying "it says I can!" But freeform means anyone can do it just by saying "it doesn't say I can't!" Is that better?
I'm really torn. But there's great appeal to the idea right now in my mind just because it would give us something to go with. Even if that something is "nothing." Instead of sheets, perhaps some form of backgrounds would be required for submission for approval, giving staff some control over what is allowed on-grid. Maybe that could even be put in a sheet-like space, or a portion of the pinfo, that's locked to edit after approval. So while players could add more notes as time goes on, the original background is still there, showing what the character started as and is at the core.
But, as I say repeatedly, I don't know...
One thing I don't remember seeing in the system poll was the option to go fully freeform. And right about now, I'm wondering if that might not be the way to go. Granted, I've often felt it wasn't right simply because I didn't true players to play nice. And yet, I remember very, very few scenes that were meaningful in some way where the system was in play. And as I see more and more "tabletop-style" games done online peter out or otherwise crumble, I'm left wondering if the trade-off may be worth it.
Pros of Freeform RP:
It's quick and easy. There's no coding required. There's no learning of system required. You don't bog down scenes with die rolls. And that really sums it up. One bit advantage of simplicity.
Cons of Freeform RP:
"Proper" play requires perhaps a deeper knowledge of the setting itself. This is probably still less than learning a system, but if things are to be kept in-theme, people do need to take the time to know what qualifies as far as technology, culture, magic, etc.
It's utterly reliant on the players to decide how things go. And that's been the drawback that usually puts me off about it. Things can easily devolve into a childish game of "I got you!" "No you didn't!" I might go so far as to say I hate and fear that. The only limits to what power gaming people can get away with is what other people can socially enforce somehow.
Is it worth trading "clean" arbitration of conflict for freedom and simplicity? I don't know how you prevent people from running wild and screwing things up for others. People usually find a way with a system, saying "it says I can!" But freeform means anyone can do it just by saying "it doesn't say I can't!" Is that better?
I'm really torn. But there's great appeal to the idea right now in my mind just because it would give us something to go with. Even if that something is "nothing." Instead of sheets, perhaps some form of backgrounds would be required for submission for approval, giving staff some control over what is allowed on-grid. Maybe that could even be put in a sheet-like space, or a portion of the pinfo, that's locked to edit after approval. So while players could add more notes as time goes on, the original background is still there, showing what the character started as and is at the core.
But, as I say repeatedly, I don't know...
Comments
Post a Comment