Tony Bath and why we love this hobby

[tetramorph]

From Tony Bath's Setting Up a Wargames Campaign:

The wargamer who either runs or helps to run a campaign . . . can give full rein to his creative genius, both as regards the rules he uses and the countries and characters he creates. A radio interviewer once asked me whether the desire to run a mythical continent of my own was a sign of power mania; I replied that this was possibly true to some extent, since most of us like the idea of playing God to some degree, but more important was the freedom it gave to a bent for organizing things. Certainly campaigning will indulge many complexes. Further, in running a campaign you have to learn to be as unbiased as possible, and to find methods of solving tricky problems, of setting up scales by which to decide just how successful a certain move by a player will be. (p. 56.)

First of all: Wow.

"Full rein to . . . creative genius, both as regards the rules . . . and the countries and characters . . ." Yes. This is why we are here. This is why we not only play D&D, but OD&D.

The "desire to run a mythical continent," as a "sign of power mania," but, more importantly, the "freedom" wargame-campaigning gives to "a bent for organizing things." Yes, and yes. I think I enjoy thinking about, planning, "stat-ing out" my campaign as much as I enjoy running a game for players within it!

"Certainly campaigning will indulge many complexes." Wow. I don't know many gamers this frank about themselves these days! I think has pretty honestly hit the proverbial nail on the head for many of us. I love his straightforward statement of gamer psychology! Gaming and campaigning is a sane and creative way to work out a lot of things. In Jungian terms, it certainly seems to engage the shadow-self in a creative and sublimating way.

We referees have to "learn to be as unbiased as possible," we have to learn to "find methods of solving tricky problems," especially "setting up scales by which to decide just how successful" our player's characters attempts to affect their fictional environment will be. Yes. That is essential to being a good ref. So spot on.

This single quotation of Bath's sums up so much of why I love this hobby. I'd be happy to read what you all think.

Fight on!

[merctime]

Jul 7, 2015 14:50:30 GMT -5 tetramorph said:

From Tony Bath's Setting Up a Wargames Campaign:

The wargamer who either runs or helps to run a campaign . . . can give full rein to his creative genius, both as regards the rules he uses and the countries and characters he creates. A radio interviewer once asked me whether the desire to run a mythical continent of my own was a sign of power mania; I replied that this was possibly true to some extent, since most of us like the idea of playing God to some degree, but more important was the freedom it gave to a bent for organizing things. Certainly campaigning will indulge many complexes. Further, in running a campaign you have to learn to be as unbiased as possible, and to find methods of solving tricky problems, of setting up scales by which to decide just how successful a certain move by a player will be. (p. 56.)

"Full rein to . . . creative genius, both as regards the rules . . . and the countries and characters . . ." Yes. This is why we are here. This is why we not only play D&D, but OD&D.

First of all, I love your statement here Let's get it to the nitty-gritty; OD&D forever, brother!

Jul 7, 2015 14:50:30 GMT -5 tetramorph said:

The "desire to run a mythical continent," as a "sign of power mania," but, more importantly, the "freedom" wargame-campaigning gives to "a bent for organizing things." Yes, and yes. I think I enjoy thinking about, planning, "stat-ing out" my campaign as much as I enjoy running a game for players within it!

I hope this isn't a sign of power mania... Hehe... But I definitely agree that it's a freedom to organize things and present them in a pleasant, entertaining fashion!

Jul 7, 2015 14:50:30 GMT -5 tetramorph said:

"Certainly campaigning will indulge many complexes." Wow. I don't know many gamers this frank about themselves these days! I think has pretty honestly hit the proverbial nail on the head for many of us. I love his straightforward statement of gamer psychology! Gaming and campaigning is a sane and creative way to work out a lot of things. In Jungian terms, it certainly seems to engage the shadow-self in a creative and sublimating way.

Psychology?!?! I'm just here for the dice and the loot!

...No, seriously, I do think your analysis is a good one. And it is interesting. I think there are a great many things going on, individually, inside of us that drives us to enjoy this sort of creative activity. ...Or, at least I hope there is, because if there isn't, then I am singularly wierd

Jul 7, 2015 14:50:30 GMT -5 tetramorph said:

We referees have to "learn to be as unbiased as possible," we have to learn to "find methods of solving tricky problems," especially "setting up scales by which to decide just how successful" our player's characters attempts to affect their fictional environment will be. Yes. That is essential to being a good ref. So spot on.

This single quotation of Bath's sums up so much of why I love this hobby.

Yeah, I agree, man... This is really, really why I love reffing in particular. Well, this and when players themselves, through play or other means, add to one's own campaign... Like you yourself added a town to my own Aerth. That sort of thing is gold to my Referee's heart, bro. But what Mr. Bath is stating here is really solid, truthful, down-to-the-brass-tacks stuff and I'm in complete agreement.

I really gotta break down and buy this book.

[jmccann]

That quotation describes my fascination pretty well. I like the sense of simulating history and seeing events unfold based on the choices of the players within the campaign.

[hengest]

Excellent quote in the OP here. Bump and have an exalt.

The notion of the game and design indulging complexes is useful. It also allows one to let go of complexes for a time, as one has to get out of straitjacketed ways of thinking to get anything even a little new onto the page.  

[hengest]

Jul 7, 2015 22:22:30 GMT -5 merctime said:

...No, seriously, I do think your analysis is a good one. And it is interesting. I think there are a great many things going on, individually, inside of us that drives us to enjoy this sort of creative activity. ...Or, at least I hope there is, because if there isn't, then I am singularly wierd

I would guess that Murkhillian gaming indulges

• the child's sense that the world is naturally full of wonder
• the adult's sense that the world can (sort of) be understood, at least a little
• the desire to look through someone else's eyes

And other things.