Re: (TFT) back from the olympics

[Mark Tapley <mtapley@swri.edu>]

At 19:19 -0500 3/8/10, Jay wrote:
> In these type games, traditionally there is at least one or two "critters"
> that it is considered a-okay to dispatch at will.
> Without digressing too far into the details (as is my want) I'm pointing out
> the psyche diff of the whole deal.
> Base the whole thing on killing, and killing is what you get... give a few
> more "PLAYABLE" options that have rule support and you as a game-master may
> find that you have to create a "Dark Lord" to spur the players into
> defending against such an a-hole...

	Trying to catch up on all sorts of things, sorry for the 
delayed response.
	One of the reasons I like TFT is that it *does* supply 
non-lethal options. Several spells (Freeze, Sleep, Drop Weapon, 
Avert....), "Subduing Blows", and potions and magic items all enable 
you to overcome your opponents in such a way as to leave them able to 
learn from the experience.
	When I'm playing with the kids, I pretty much *insist* on 
that behavior from them when they have a chance, and when I'm 
refereeing, well, I make it clear that if they take a 
kill-or-be-killed mindset to the world, they might well not end up 
being at the top of the food chain. That seems to help a lot with 
getting the spousal unit interested in the game, and it presents more 
and more interesting challenges to the kids than a simple "hack them 
before they hack you" approach would.
	Healthier than video games that way too, IMHO.
	This connects to the "do we have the moral high ground" 
discussion I allotted in my "ideal gaming session" timeline a few 
posts back, too.
--
						- Mark     210-379-4635
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