As I get older, I notice that my gaming preferences are sliding towards the lightish, low-prep and fast resolution side (probably because of adulthood), but specially towards systems with a strong thematic focus. I dont like systems that get transparent in play, I like systems that actively support and promote the theme(s) present in the game.

Examples of such games that I like: Pendragon, Castle Falkenstein, Barbarians of Lemuria, Unknown Armies, Apocalypse World, Marvel Heroic Roleplaying, The One Ring and Lady Blackbird. (I think I would like Savage Worlds and Dogs in the Vineyard too, but never managed to play them or fully grasp their workings).
 
So, could we call a gamer like me an "emulationist", in the sense of emulating themes and tropes ? Also, can we say this emulationism is still in its infancy in the hobbie, being explored fully from the 2000 onward ? (with the exception of Pendragon maybe, I dont remeber seeing other games in this style before the 00s ). What do you think, guys and girls?

P.S: oh and before someone asks, I DONT like "playing stories", when I sit to play an rpg I assume I will be playing and immersing in a single character, and acting according to his point of view and capabilities.

1/10.

I'm sure you'll get a few bites though.

I don't know why you want to make a box to put youself into.  Why bother?  Why not just say what you did that you're more interested in emulating tropes and themes and leave it at that.  What will the title of "emulationist" do for you exactly?

You owe me one Dan for proving you right.  

Quote from: silva;634662So, could we call a gamer like me an "emulationist", in the sense of emulating themes and tropes ?

If you prefer games with strong Genre Emulation, sure.

Quote from: silva;634662Also, can we say this emulationism is still in its infancy in the hobbie, being explored fully from the 2000 onward ?

Nah. Pendragon, Paranoia, Toon, WEG Star Wars, James Bond 007, you name it, genre emulation has been around for decades.  Amusing you think it's new though.

Quote from: silva;634662oh and before someone asks, I DONT like "playing stories", when I sit to play an rpg I assume I will be playing and immersing in a single character, and acting according to his point of view and capabilities.

If you say so.  You are quite fond of metagame, however, of which Genre Emulation expressed in rules form is a type.

You love Shadowrun though, so I still like ya.  

Pretty much where I stand. I write such games to emulate the setting/style of play.

Quote from: One Horse Town;6346631/10.

I'm sure you'll get a few bites though.

Yup.

I'm an Emulationo-Immersionist. I like genre emulation, but only up until the point where it doesn't interfere with character immersion. Oh, and with my prediliction for Cool Ranch Doritoes as an aid to characterization, I guess I'm a Dorito-Emulationo-Immersionista.

Apparently my tastes run to picturing the other players naked.

I'm as surprised as anybody, frankly.

Quote from: Black Vulmea;634694Apparently my tastes run to picturing the other players naked.

I'm as surprised as anybody, frankly.

You too?
Glad I'm not the only one.

Quote from: Black Vulmea;634694Apparently my tastes run to picturing the other players naked.

I'm as surprised as anybody, frankly.

So when it comes to character sex are you an emulationist or a simulationist?

Quote from: CRKrueger;634732So when it comes to character sex are you an emulationist or a simulationist?

Nah... Hedonist!

QuoteNah. Pendragon, Paranoia, Toon, WEG Star Wars, James Bond 007, you name it, genre emulation has been around for decades. Amusing you think it's new though.

Interesting. I dont know some of the games cited (Toon, James Bond, Star Wars), but from what I remember of Paranoia, its system per se is on the same physics-simulation side like most games of that time (except by some bits like the secret back page sheet, etc) but I may be mistaken though.

Are you sure the emulation in those games were not like Shadowrun ? I mean, the system overall actually didnt emulate any genre, but they threw in some small litte bits that did (Essence in Shadowru, Humanity in Vampire, Alignments in D&D, etc). If thats the case, I would not call them emuluationist.

(and yeah, I love Shadowrun. It was my first, and the first you never forget )

Quote from: silva;634662So, could we call a gamer like me an "emulationist", in the sense of emulating themes and tropes ? Also, can we say this emulationism is still in its infancy in the hobby, being explored fully from the 2000 onward ? (with the exception of Pendragon maybe, I dont remember seeing other games in this style before the 00s ). What do you think, guys and girls?

Seems as fair as any other play-style definition to me.

But, I definitely wouldn't agree that the play-style is in its infancy. (As CRKreuger had already stated). 3 of the 8 RPGs you mention are pre-2000 releases: Pendragon (1985), Castle Falkenstein (1994), and Unknown Armies (1998).

Quote from: silva;634750Interesting. I dont know some of the games cited (Toon, James Bond, Star Wars), but from what I remember of Paranoia, its system per se is on the same physics-simulation side like most games of that time (except by some bits like the secret back page sheet, etc) but I may be mistaken though.

Are you sure the emulation in those games were not like Shadowrun ? I mean, the system overall actually didnt emulate any genre, but they threw in some small litte bits that did (Essence in Shadowru, Humanity in Vampire, Alignments in D&D, etc). If thats the case, I would not call them emuluationist.

Victory Games' James Bond was indeed very much a genre game, moreso than most so-called games today. As was WEG's Ghostbusters, Toon, Teenagers From Outer Space, TSr' Marvel Superheroes, Mayfair's DC Heroes, to name just a few. In fact, that list pretty describes the entire foundation of every "modern" genre gamesystem of the last 20 years not directly influenced by D&D.

OTOH, I agree Paranoia is more of a system adapted to a setting of a specific genre, in the vein of Call of Cthulhu (except that the system was written for Paranoia, so its a little less generic).

I can't wait until the day we all have our own labels! It will be wicked awesome! I'll be a "clashist", you can be a "Youist", and Benoist can be a Benoi... well, whatever! We can put up electrified barbed wire around our isms, and beat each other over the head with our Spiked Baseball Bats of Great Justice if we get though that! It'll be grand! Have at you! Fiend! Corrupter of children! Assassin!

-clash