Not really new in the world, but I thought that that discussion was something of a few years ago when all that started.

Quote from: Kerstmanneke82 on August 14, 2022, 08:33:24 AM
Not really new in the world, but I thought that that discussion was something of a few years ago when all that started.

It was, but if it can be pulled out again and hyped up for clicks & giggles, then it will be. This is (sadly) the way.

That being said, the way I start my games: "there's not going to be any violence towards children or animals (apart from the usual enemies of course), all the rest you can tell me if you have a problem with how you run my game".

X Cards are B.S. and that's all there is to it.

I was about to pull the trigger on a game on Drivethru when I stopped to quickly look at the preview. It had a paragraph on X-cards right on the first page. Needless to say, that publisher didn't get my money.

As a GM, my policy is simple:

When I introduce a game to new players, I inform them of the overall themes of the game, including the possibility of adult content. (However I typically keep my games PG-13 anyways.)

If you have any personal issues that might cause a disruption in the game, inform me before we begin. If I can avoid the issue in the game, I will do so. If not, I'll let you know. You can choose to accept it, or leave the game.

If somehow an issue comes up that was not covered, you may power through it, OR leave if you unable to do so. However, the game will not be stopped. If you leave, there is a good chance you will not be asked back.

This last one happened with my current group of players. We were doing a Shadowrun campaign, and unbeknownst to the group, one player has a phobia about cockroaches. When they went into the sewers and found a hive of cockroach spirits, the player freaked for a few minutes and went outside. He returned a few minutes later, explained his phobia, and apologized for freaking out. He then announced he was incorporating his phobia into his Street Samurais character, and we continued playing.

I'm grateful I don't game with snowflakes.

... as an aside to all this X-card nonsense...

I've noticed that a LOT of LFG groups in my area are starting to segregate by age. Many of the LFG ads are strident on *No one OVER 35*... some as low as 30. And it's specifically to avoid "drama" about politics.

Which is funny to me - as I'm very careful about younger players (unironically under 35) joining my group because of the same reason. HOWEVER, I will often take them to lunch/dinner to get a good two-way sniff test and make sure they understand what they're getting into at my table. But I won't deny them based purely on their age, but it's something I do plan for when someone answers my occasional recruitment ads.

The X-card nonsense is so petty and silly, it's a signal for outrage performance art that have no real interest in roleplaying. But whatever, I don't do Con's anymore and have no problem getting players for my games. Let them X-card themselves into oblivion.

Everyday I feel a tiny bit more vindicated about not living in North America anymore.

I used to be neutral on X-cards (I've never personally used them but didn't care if they were used in a game) until I read about how they can actually encourage the very thing they are supposed to stop - triggering events. Having learned that, I would never now play in a game with an X card, and would suggest to the organisers of any game with them in to stop using them.
The reason is this:

What the X-card stands for (I am upset by what you said, don't say it again), and how it is used (you can't question why I used it, just accept that what you did was wrong) mimics a particular sort of abuse, almost exactly. So if you have someone at the table who has suffered this abuse, the very existence of the card is hurtful to them, and its use doubly so.

So, kids, just say "no" to the X-card, you could be hurting the very people you intend to protect.