Here are some slightly tongue-in-cheek resolutions for us dice-rollers. Not all of them apply to everyone here but I am sure everybody here knows at least one person who could benefit from one or more of them.
- I will realize that "bathing" and "deodorant" are not un-manly things but rather are things that people appreciate when I partake in them it at least once daily.
- I will not consider things like "fresh air" and "physical activity" to be manifestations of evil.
- I will try to play at least one game that I never played before, at least once, in the next 12 months.
- I will make a sincere effort to actually play every new RPG that I buy this coming year, or to use every supplement that I buy at least once.
- I will support a local game convention, but only if it was organized well, by someone who is running it for reasons other than the padding of his inflated ego.
- At least one time, I will try to pretend that the GM has an actual use and that the work that he has done to create a plot is not some sort of evil plan to stifle the "true creativity that only players can bring to the game table"; realizing that whinging about GMs "not tolerating player creativity" is almost as bad as rules lawyering and that maybe I should try running a game instead if this really bothers me so much.
- Realization: the latest product that everybody is talking about here is neither the greatest gift to humankind since the invention of chocolate-covered cheeseburgers and polyhedral dice; nor is it a fetid manifestation of Cthulhoid defecation on the face of the hobby. It's just a bunch of words on a bunch of pages. Ranting and raving (or poo-pooing them to no end) on forums like this one, or on blogs, or on podcasts, or on Twitter; do not make me an "intellectual"; they make me part of the hype (http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2010/07/100624_doc_useful_idiots_lenin.shtml) that people in the industry don't want to pay for with real advertising to advance the hobby in any real way. (If I am a Pathfinder or Dresden Files fan, I will read this resolution again; maybe several times. If I can't shut up about 4th Ed or anything by Palladium, the forgoing applies as well.)
- I will remember that while "freedom of speech" is a good thing, it does not equate with an obligation for everyone else to listen, to pay attention, to reply, or even to care. This means that I won't spew out my opinions without backing them up in some way and I will remember that while emotions are temporary, everything I post is permanent. I further promise not to shoot off about "intellectual property" or "copyrights" unless I actually know what I am talking about and I am able to cite the law.
- I will actually play some games this year, at least once, rather than just posting about them.
- I will realize that the few people in this business who make a living designing games are able to do so because they think in terms of products that people will sense value in and consequently buy, not in terms of abstract design concepts that people debate on forums.
Like I said, these aren't for everyone here. There are even some people here to whom none of them apply. Still, I would be shocked if anybody here would say that they have never met anyone in the past year who could not benefit from following at least one of these resolutions…
QuoteLike I said, these aren't for everyone here. There are even some people here to whom none of them apply. Still, I would be shocked if anybody here would say that they have never met anyone in the past year who could not benefit from following at least one of these resolutions...
Rest assured as many options as you mentioned and could be extremely beneficial to most of the posters from various sites could use them, they are so damn anal rententive and anal stubborn, they will never change no matter what. They do not care how much they damage the reputation of fellow gamers. They will always be fat, bald, and stink like shit. They will always only play one edition of a game. They will always offend people just because they are jackwagons. They will never play sports. They will never try to be "normal".
First two points made me think "Oh, zhe Americanaz...."
Rest is pretty cool.
I'd like to make myself a small resolution here - and something I expect you to slap me for, if I don't keep it.
I'll try and dedicate 30 minutes a day for writing something of actual substance to RPGs here. Just 30 minutes - no less, and for now no more.
I'll just resolve to game a certain number of times this coming year. What with the birth of a son in the middle of the year, it all got a bit interrupted and intermittent.
Moar actual play at the game table! :)
(http://fapit.net/imgs/1206/moar.jpg)
Quote from: Kyle Aaron;499358I'll just resolve to game a certain number of times this coming year. What with the birth of a son in the middle of the year, it all got a bit interrupted and intermittent.
Is he the one staring at the d6s in your avatar?
Yep, he's the one. Next generation!
I thought he was some kid you abducted then forced to stare at dice for a nice picture.
;)
Quote from: Walking Paradox;498907- I will make a sincere effort to actually play every new RPG that I buy this coming year, or to use every supplement that I buy at least once.
I could do with that. I'm not a compulsive buyer, but even then with each year the backlog of gaming stuff to be played keeps creeping up.
My resolution is to be more open and blunt, and say what I really feel from now on.
RPGPundit
I shall play what I enjoy as often as I can with others that think likewise.
Quote from: RPGPundit;499707My resolution is to be more open and blunt, and say what I really feel from now on.
RPGPundit
Being brusque is awesome as I enjoy being that way as well...
I'll play more types of RPGs so that I can form an opinion on actual play rather than online discussion. I will be patient and help out anyone who is trying to get into these crazy games, even if they're playing a game I don't personally care for. I'll work with my doctors to get better so I can have the energy to GM more often.
Resolved: to play my ass off, run games with abandon. To create and seize opportunities to play with new people and in new places.
Previously, I was skittish about going down to the comic shop on a Saturday and running a game for complete strangers, but you know what? Fuck that noise. I'm doing it. I'm gonna roll in there with my shit and shout 'Who wants to get dangerous for gold and glory?', and roll some goddamn dice.
Quote from: RPGPundit;499707My resolution is to be more open and blunt, and say what I really feel from now on.
RPGPundit
Quote from: Ancientgamer1970;499869Being brusque is awesome as I enjoy being that way as well...
With all due respect to everyone here, I have noticed a recurring thing about people who say that they are "very blunt, honest, up-front, and forthright about everything." This is often code for "I am very rude, on a 'born in a barn and raised by farm animals' level." I am not saying that the two of you are like this, but keep in mind that the reason that a lot of people seem to leave this hobby and seem to avoid game days at stores or local conventions is because there are too many people who think that participating in this hobby is all that matters and is the only thing that should matter when it comes to people wanting to be with them.
This is a subculture that breeds and encourages dysfunctional people. The first two resolutions I put into my OP reflect this. Violent levels of stale sweat and horrible halitosis and "zOMG has he heard of
wiping?!?" are the sorts of things that drive people away from this hobby and they, as stereotypes, are not wholly unjustified.
Walking Paradox, I suspect there's some sarcasm going on in the posts you quote (or at least one of 'em, let's say).
You're right, though, pro-gaming outreach with a helping of common courtesy is a most excellent thing - something we should all strive for this year and every year.
To be honest, I've made no special New Year's resolutions related to gaming. But I'm not much of a New Year's resolutions man, I guess. If I had any, it wold be to keep gaming regularly and always strive to improve my GMing skills.
Given that I'm running 2 7th Sea games and a CoC campaign, I will have plenty of chances :D
Not for New Years but I did resolve a while back to make a concerted effort to expand my social circle and find some folks interested in the games I'm interested in. There's a meeting coming up next weekend so... so far so good.
... to make more time for gaming between snorting blow off a hooker's ass.
-- Charlie Sheen
(I must personally admit a touch of envy there, however. Besides more money, and being made of Tiger Blood and Win, I think he has more time for gaming than I do.)
Quote from: Ancientgamer1970;499869Being brusque is awesome as I enjoy being that way as well...
Yet you don't enjoy it when it comes back to you. This is called being a pussy. Please stop. Stop being brusque and blunt, and we might stop with you; or stop whinging when we're as brusque with you as you are with us. Either is fine, just be consistency; give it and take it, or don't give it and don't take it. Consistency is key to not being a pussy.
Quote from: Walking Paradox;499926With all due respect to everyone here, I have noticed a recurring thing about people who say that they are "very blunt, honest, up-front, and forthright about everything." This is often code for "I am very rude, on a 'born in a barn and raised by farm animals' level." I am not saying that the two of you are like this, but keep in mind that the reason that a lot of people seem to leave this hobby and seem to avoid game days at stores or local conventions is because there are too many people who think that participating in this hobby is all that matters and is the only thing that should matter when it comes to people wanting to be with them.
This is a subculture that breeds and encourages dysfunctional people. The first two resolutions I put into my OP reflect this. Violent levels of stale sweat and horrible halitosis and "zOMG has he heard of wiping?!?" are the sorts of things that drive people away from this hobby and they, as stereotypes, are not wholly unjustified.
LOL.
Yes, you're quite right, I take my resolution back.. I'll just stay my usual shy and humble self instead!
RPGPundit
Quote from: RPGPundit;500240LOL.
Yes, you're quite right, I take my resolution back.. I'll just stay my usual shy and humble self instead!
RPGPundit
So basically you grumble on your blog about non gaming stuff while slowly slipping into obscurity? Awesome.
I'll actually start writing for publication again.
I'll do more prep for gaming night than look at my books and go "Yup, those are D&D books."