Kudos/Commentary: Q&A Thread, Luke Crane

[Abyssal Maw]

I didn't get all my questions answered, and some of them were answered sort of evasively, but I want to give Luke credit for taking them on. I recognize that cannot be an easy thread.

If you want to make commentary or otherwise talk on that thread without participating in the Q&A section, here (this thread) is the place to do it.

I also liked something that Mark VBWyrde wrote:

However, there are ways of competing for market share that are honest, friendly and cool, and ways that are sneaky, subversive and uncool. I don't know how you could quantify the impression of coolness vs. uncoolness realistically, however, Luke, it seems that people here are saying "WE feel like your guys have been uncool." That's legit. Its the feeling they have. And I agree with you, one can't necessarily account for or control other people's feelings. But if there ever was a time to clear the air and really open hearts and minds, this is probably it. That's my guess. My suggestion is that the issue of market share and marketing styles be openned up for discussion because in a lot of ways I think that's one of the big bones of contention.

Inreasing one's market share is an important underlying cause of both the tactics that have been employed in the past (according to and by some) and perception of those tactics by your actual target audience - other Gamesmasters. I made this point before you arrived at the Panel so I'll repeat it again here: The Indie RPGs target audience needs to be the GMs because GMs are the ones who most often bring the game to the table, not the players. Marketing research would be required to prove that, and it is my hunch, but I think it makes sense and is something the Indie folks should give ample consideration to. And pissing off the main target audience, even if you have Great Games, is not the best strategy in the world. Just something to think about. And I don't mean to be offensive, but to simply say it in plain engrish. It's one of the reasons why I think it behooves the Indie guys to enage the traditionalists in just the manner you're doing here. Reasonably and with an open mind to the problems and their possible solutions.

I thought Mark's post (quoted above) was incredibly astute, and I appreciate his 'outsider' perspective in this.

[RPGPundit]

I pretty well gave up on the thread. Luke clearly doesn't want to dialogue on the issue of the Forge, he just wants to claim that the Forge's detractors are all mistaken and misguided and that's it.  Fair enough, opportunity wasted for him to show some intellectual honesty.

RPGPundit

[Pierce Inverarity]

I used to think, and continue to do so based on the thread, that both Luke and his games are perfectly legit. Reading BW, you can tell he was a) into AD&D 1E, b) Lankhmar. And I'm actually going to play that Blossoms thing soon enough.

I guess asking him to diss skimpy games and lose his sleazeball coterie is unfair. However, it's also highly satisfying.

[TonyLB]

I'm impressed by the thread, on many counts.

Luke's showing a great deal of patience and talking about the positive things that he likes about ... well ... all sorts of stuff.  That can be hard to do in the face of folks asking questions that can easily be read as negative and baiting.  I'm impressed.

I'm also impressed with some folks who, from their questions, I had suspected of having closed minds.  I don't want to suspect people of that, I just have a nasty cynical streak and it whispers to me.  I'm very happy to see clear evidence in several instances that my nasty cynical streak needs to take a long vacation.  Folks asked very pointed questions, but when they got back sincere answers they said "That's a damn fine answer!" rather than "Oh, so now you're going to lie to me, eh?"

At least ... most folks.

[Pierce Inverarity]

I'm going to raise a customer complaint at the Forge booth. I bought a messageboard Tony and am unhappy with it. Can I exchange it for a Luke?

[JamesV]

I've always thought that Luke's a good fella when it comes to talking about his games. His patience shows his positive enthusiasm for his games and even his point of view. I can respect that and the thread is an example of the good stuff that should show up from time to time here.

I'll never get my head around his (in)famous "give me rock star treatment at the con" argument, but no one's perfect.

[Settembrini]

OMFG! His recent reply is...interesting. BW/BE as tactical games. I wonder if he even knows what the word means...or if he´s making idiotic statements on purpose.

[Alnag]

Well, to be honest my early expectations of the thread were a bit different... maybe too optimistic or naive. Stimulating some dialogue about "the war" and maybe reaching something more...

I reconsidered that recently, but I think it can be still quite interesting thread.

Yes Pundit, Abyssal Maw it is pretty hard to corner someone just with a questions and without comments.  That's the point of Q&A thread. If I would like to corner Luke, trust me, I would go for Pistols...

Now... if you do not want to participate, that's your problem. For me, it is interesting experience. I have gone through lots of discussions about this stuff on local national level, but I want to confront some of that with the point of view of somebody on the different level of "hierarchy". Even if one can do it with "just questions". Take it as a slight probe to the Forge designer mind. And learn from it for a futre. Or whatever.

Also, if you want it as a challenge, try to come with such a question Luke will be tempted to answer and you will have him, where you want him... wherever it is. (I guess Nine Hells of Baator, but that is just me...)

The problem is that Luke is a busy guy with a lot of projects and stuff from what I can tell...

Are you his manager or what's your point? I belive that Luke is mature enough and if he is willing to or had no time, he will not answer the questions. Simple. Really. Also, I think it will slowly but grimly end soon. So don't worry, he will make it to the next con...

I'm very happy to see clear evidence in several instances that my nasty cynical streak needs to take a long vacation.

I have to admit, reading this post, my own cynical streak (or maybe rather paranoid streak as luke suggested) jumped to an "elevated risk" stage, but I will let you live for now. :keke:

[One Horse Town]

The moment it all got reasonable was the moment you lost. The only thing i object to in any of this is the idea of 'abdication of responsibility'. If you don't mean what you say or what you've written, then either fucking take the time to write or say it properly, in English, so that no misunderstandings can take place or don't write it in the first place. None of this 'you're bringing the baggage' crap. We all know that's a shite damage limitation excersise and removal of responsibility for ones own words and deeds. It's the cowards way out. "I said some shit that i really believe, but it's caused a rucus! Quick, say that's not what i meant. Quick, say it's someone else's fault!" Boo, fucking hoo...

Signing off from the mini-bar, a bit more antsy than normal...i'll regret it in the morning. :deflated:

[Alnag]

The moment it all got reasonable was the moment you lost.

Is that a reaction to my previous post? Because it is so, I don't get it... sorry for my English, btw. I do my best.

[One Horse Town]

Is that a reaction to my previous post? Because it is so, I don't get it... sorry for my English, btw. I do my best.

No mate, sorry. I'm a little...mellow. It was supposed to be aimed at all the people on pundits side of the supposed 'war'. The other little rant about abdication of responsibility and speaking in plain English was about the forgies. I can't follow my own advice it seems about writing in plain English. Oops.

[David R]

I think the thread is going very well. I never really had a problem with Luke's posting style, since he was only returning the shit thrown his way. Very good contibution to therpgsite Anlag.

Regards,
David R

[luke]

You know, I don't feel like I got asked any tough questions.

[J Arcane]

You know, I don't feel like I got asked any tough questions.

That's because you failed to answer most of them.

[luke]

Oh? Care to rephrase the question?

-L