I just curious. I think I have a handle on what people think about
Team Work vs Individual Play. How about Role Playing?
Obviously, playing the Dwarves as mithril seeking anti-elven people
is Anti Team....but that's how Dwarves Are. Now, I understand that
while JRR created the races with their differences, he also had the
Freeps always end up helping each other out of necessity, so I'm not
arguing Individual play here. I'm all for the Team, and this enables
one to play different people IN Tolkein's world, and keep to the
essential storyline...
But, why would, for example, the Easterlings join the Dark Servants
after Sauron himself walked into camp and disbanded 2500 HC in
Steel? The One Lord himself slaughters your sons and daughters,
ruins all your best laid plans, with a serious economic loss to
boot, and yet, you continue your plans to work FOR him?
I've seen 2 neutral nations in one game join the DS after Sauron
when wacko against their armies, one was a huge Navy! Talk about
ruining your day!
Where would role playing factor in here? Isn't there any argument
to immerse yourself in the world just a wee bit to keep some sort of
logical sense to it all? Thinking of each game as an opportunity to
write a new book....
Or is it: "Stupid NPC's, they should be taken out of the game." ?
Thoughts?
Regards,
Brad Brunet
···
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Maybe they would join the Dark Side after such a thing happened because of
fear and respect for such a powerful being.....?
In the book it often comes across that the Orcs/Uruk Hai are operating out
of fear, rather than a sense of duty.
···
----- Original Message -----
From: BBrunet <ditletang@canada.com>
To: <mepbmlist@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: 15 July 2001 21:51
Subject: [mepbmlist] Role Playing in MEPBM
I just curious. I think I have a handle on what people think about
Team Work vs Individual Play. How about Role Playing?
Obviously, playing the Dwarves as mithril seeking anti-elven people
is Anti Team....but that's how Dwarves Are. Now, I understand that
while JRR created the races with their differences, he also had the
Freeps always end up helping each other out of necessity, so I'm not
arguing Individual play here. I'm all for the Team, and this enables
one to play different people IN Tolkein's world, and keep to the
essential storyline...
But, why would, for example, the Easterlings join the Dark Servants
after Sauron himself walked into camp and disbanded 2500 HC in
Steel? The One Lord himself slaughters your sons and daughters,
ruins all your best laid plans, with a serious economic loss to
boot, and yet, you continue your plans to work FOR him?
I've seen 2 neutral nations in one game join the DS after Sauron
when wacko against their armies, one was a huge Navy! Talk about
ruining your day!
Where would role playing factor in here? Isn't there any argument
to immerse yourself in the world just a wee bit to keep some sort of
logical sense to it all? Thinking of each game as an opportunity to
write a new book....
Or is it: "Stupid NPC's, they should be taken out of the game." ?
Thoughts?
Regards,
Brad Brunet
__________________________________________________________
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In my less than expert, newbie opinion, you won't find practically ANY
roleplaying in this game. From what I've experienced in games and read
within this forum, this is first and foremost a power game in which
nearly everyone plays the same in order to do their best as a team or a
player. Because of the game design, most players have a pretty well
defined methodology for winning regardless of their race or characters.
Most everyone-- dwarves, elves, humans, and greenies-- is going to make
sure they have numerous big emi's to build, build, build and then join
emi influencing squads; most everyone will recruit nothing but HC and HI
during the game because of their power within the combat system. You're
probably NOT going to see an elven nation that heavily recruits archers,
as the racial-geography factors don't make enough difference to allow
them to compete with the heavy troops who can be recruited in the same
quantity. You likely won't see ANY signs of "rivalry" between North and
South Gondor or the Elven and Dwarven nations. Most folks will play by
their usual formulas (go to any of the websites to see all of the expert
strategies!) in order to do their best, and likely won't think twice
about what race they are or the game "personalities." Fourth Age would
seem to offer a better chance at roleplay, but the power gaming aspect
seems at least as prevelant there. Bottom line-- the game doesn't
reward roleplay, so no-one does it!
Pat
BBrunet wrote:
···
I just curious. I think I have a handle on what people think about
Team Work vs Individual Play. How about Role Playing?
Obviously, playing the Dwarves as mithril seeking anti-elven people
is Anti Team....but that's how Dwarves Are. Now, I understand that
while JRR created the races with their differences, he also had the
Freeps always end up helping each other out of necessity, so I'm not
arguing Individual play here. I'm all for the Team, and this enables
one to play different people IN Tolkein's world, and keep to the
essential storyline...
But, why would, for example, the Easterlings join the Dark Servants
after Sauron himself walked into camp and disbanded 2500 HC in
Steel? The One Lord himself slaughters your sons and daughters,
ruins all your best laid plans, with a serious economic loss to
boot, and yet, you continue your plans to work FOR him?
I've seen 2 neutral nations in one game join the DS after Sauron
when wacko against their armies, one was a huge Navy! Talk about
ruining your day!
Where would role playing factor in here? Isn't there any argument
to immerse yourself in the world just a wee bit to keep some sort of
logical sense to it all? Thinking of each game as an opportunity to
write a new book....
Or is it: "Stupid NPC's, they should be taken out of the game." ?
Thoughts?
Regards,
Brad Brunet
__________________________________________________________
Get your FREE personalized e-mail at http://www.canada.com
Middle Earth PBM List - Middle Earth and Harlequin Games
To Unsubscribe:www.egroups.com
http://www.MiddleEarthGames.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
