I Hate Gaming Politics
I really hate gaming politics. I'm not talking about politics in campaigns, I'm fine with that. I just have no use for the politics that goes on in the gaming industry and in its support groups. I tend to avoid involvement with the RPG industry and with groups organized to support gaming that aren't local game clubs operating independently of the industry because the politics in such groups quickly make me want to slit my throat.
This week has seen a lot of what I call political nastiness in old school groups and it annoys me. I fear that it is only going to get worse as more people try to monetize things as making money requires people to worry about stuff like the public perception of the hobby which tends to bring out the control freaks who want to remove demons and devils from the game (D&D in the 1980), remove flavor text that might upset people (Carcosa), tell me that I should not be giving M74 away free (last year), examine charities a game blogger gives to for acceptability (this last week), etc. I'm just opting out of all this silliness. I hope you will too.
March 21, 2010 at 11:38 AM
You have just hit on the head the nail that keeps knocking me out of steady posting.
Every time I get into a feel for things again, I come back to the blogosphere and everyone is sharpening swords and wits ... and I wander off again, because I just don't want to deal with it.
March 21, 2010 at 11:55 AM
What goes on purely in the blogosphere doesn't bother me much -- it's no worse than what goes on in message boards (and is often far more civil). But I avoid have never gotten very involved in the RPG Network, never joined TARGA, etc. as I am not not a team player (unless I am being paid very well to be, like at work). I simply will not toe the party line if I don't agree with it and all the politics of such groups bore and annoy me -- about as much as the long combats in WOTC editions of D&D bore and annoy me.
March 21, 2010 at 1:40 PM
We are in agreement regarding this issue.
I've basically ceased posting to all retro-type gaming related boards (with the exception of 2 play-by-post games in which I'm participating) and simply monitor the more interesting posts.
I've found I can stop reading after the first page and a half or two pages, as the discussion generally degenerates into arguing at that point.
March 21, 2010 at 2:25 PM
Speaking as a guy who reads a lot of blogs (most dedicated to old school gaming, but a few dedicated to more modern games and other tangentially related subjects that interest me), I'm just going to throw this observation out to the whole blogging community:
Lately, there only seems to be a blog by a guy who games with porn stars, and blogs telling me about a blog by a guy who games with porn stars.
The novelty of the thing has run its course. It's time to move on.
Just saying. :)
March 21, 2010 at 3:58 PM
That's what this is all about? I just checked out LotFP and wondered what the heck everyone was talking about.
March 21, 2010 at 6:22 PM
@jaerdaph - seems like you're "just saying" that in a few places, I just saw you post that pretty much verbatim over on the Targa blog.
The trouble with the "I hate politics" stance is that it's like sticking your head in the sand and letting the noisy minority, those with an agenda, dominate the show and steer your beloved ship in a direction that you won't like. Opting out just lets these twits win and confirms, in their minds at least, that they have the moral high ground.
I'm passionate about the OSR and cannot sit idly by while a very small handful of people spew forth hate and intolerance, while stifling creativity. I can't just say nothing.
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