Systems Thinking? Take a look at what Gygax Understood
Feb 13, 2018 15:57:25 GMT -5
Admin Pete, mormonyoyoman, and 1 more like this
Post by robkuntz on Feb 13, 2018 15:57:25 GMT -5
An extracted quote from the Introduction to the Dungeon Masters Guide:
Note those parts that I highlight and then think about open and closed systems (as noted in DATG) and bounded and unbounded systems.
"Thus, besides the systems, I have made every effort to give the reasoning and justification for the game. Of course the ultimate reason and justifica-tion is a playable and interesting game, and how much rationalization can actually go into a fantasy game? There is some, at least, as you will see, for if the game is fantasy, there is a basis for much of what is contained herein, even though it be firmly grounded on worlds of make-believe. And while there are no optionals for the major systems of ADVANCED D&D (for uniformity of rules and procedures from game to game, campaign to cam-paign, is stressed), there are plenty of areas where your own creativity and imagination are not bounded by the parameters of the game system. These are sections where only a few hints and suggestions are given, and the rest left to the DM."
I did not create a new language as some critics have asserted with the publication of DATG. I merely delved deeper into said rabbit hole to explain what is meant by Gary's generalizations, above.
Note those parts that I highlight and then think about open and closed systems (as noted in DATG) and bounded and unbounded systems.
"Thus, besides the systems, I have made every effort to give the reasoning and justification for the game. Of course the ultimate reason and justifica-tion is a playable and interesting game, and how much rationalization can actually go into a fantasy game? There is some, at least, as you will see, for if the game is fantasy, there is a basis for much of what is contained herein, even though it be firmly grounded on worlds of make-believe. And while there are no optionals for the major systems of ADVANCED D&D (for uniformity of rules and procedures from game to game, campaign to cam-paign, is stressed), there are plenty of areas where your own creativity and imagination are not bounded by the parameters of the game system. These are sections where only a few hints and suggestions are given, and the rest left to the DM."
I did not create a new language as some critics have asserted with the publication of DATG. I merely delved deeper into said rabbit hole to explain what is meant by Gary's generalizations, above.
