"No Right Way to Play"

[True Black Raven]

For those that have read Dave Arneson's True Genius by Robert J Kuntz where he says 

No "right way" to play; multi-faceted approaches for organizing thoughts and actions.

Now we know what we mean when we say no One True Way to play, but I think that Rob is getting at something else here that goes way beyond what we think of as the different play styles and ways to play. Has anyone got a handle on what he means by "multi-faceted approaches"?



In all threads where Rob's book (Dave Arneson's True Genius) is quoted please note Copyright Robert J Kuntz 2014-2017 

[hengest]

I dunno, but maybe it means...that the same thing didn't always need to be resolved the same way?

[ripx187]

I read it to imply that the system itself has more potential than to just entertain. It does seem to guide the mind into directions and experiences which it normally wouldn't. I have very vivid memories of places where my body has never been, and I didn't lose control experiencing things as one normally does. 

[hengest]

Oct 17, 2019 12:14:59 GMT -5 ripx187 said:

I read it to imply that the system itself has more potential than to just entertain. It does seem to guide the mind into directions and experiences which it normally wouldn't. I have very vivid memories of places where my body has never been, and I didn't lose control experiencing things as one normally does. 

Can I follow up about this? Did you mean that the system (of an RPG) seems to guide the mind into those other places? 

And how did you mean "I didn't lose control experiencing things?"

[ripx187]

Mar 16, 2021 20:32:18 GMT -5 hengest said:

Oct 17, 2019 12:14:59 GMT -5 ripx187 said:

I read it to imply that the system itself has more potential than to just entertain. It does seem to guide the mind into directions and experiences which it normally wouldn't. I have very vivid memories of places where my body has never been, and I didn't lose control experiencing things as one normally does. 

Can I follow up about this? Did you mean that the system (of an RPG) seems to guide the mind into those other places? 

And how did you mean "I didn't lose control experiencing things?"

Taking drugs to alter one's reality or diving deep into the mind. This invention provides a safe way to do this without the drugs, brain damage, or even getting sick from the experience.  

[hengest]

Mar 18, 2021 11:58:22 GMT -5 ripx187 said:

Mar 16, 2021 20:32:18 GMT -5 hengest said:

Can I follow up about this? Did you mean that the system (of an RPG) seems to guide the mind into those other places? 

And how did you mean "I didn't lose control experiencing things?"

Taking drugs to alter one's reality or diving deep into the mind. This invention provides a safe way to do this without the drugs, brain damage, or even getting sick from the experience.  

Pretty sure I meant to respond to this. Yes, I haven't heard this said much, but I think you are quite right. I read or heard somewhere in college that humans are naturally drawn to experiences that alter their consciousness (in some way or another). Some people and cultures use substances, some use mental or physical disciplines, children just spin until they're dizzy. But gaming offers an imaginative route to other "places" and states that does not require risking physical health and also is social in a way few things are these days.