#RPGaDAY2020
12: MESSAGE
Like all media, RPGs send messages, intentionally or not. What you include, exclude, emphasise and sideline in a given game can say a lot. It’s good to discuss intended themes as part of setup, and keep an eye out for developing themes.
Look for mixed messages as well. The original Humanity system in Vampire: The Masquerade prescribes one thing per level, and intentional property damage was ranked worse than accidental killing. I don’t think I’ve ever made anyone roll Humanity for that. Maybe for destroying a work of art, which says something about me in turn, but it’s never come up.
Themes develop as well. For example, The Watch House started as being sort-of about the freedom of starting adult life as first-year students balanced with familial and other obligations, and by the end it was about how the characters choose to proceed as the adults taking over that obligation, deciding how to balance tradition and new ideas.
Shout out to Steve D for The MESSAGE, Men Ending Slurs and Sexist Attitudes in the Gaming Environment. See advice on making women welcome in gaming spaces.
No comments:
Post a Comment