I just have to muddy the waters here a bit.
I do understand the point of Solifuge's rant, and in many ways he is correct. However, it misses the mark on something of importance.
[RANT]
Stereotypes are limiting. They compartmentalize things, cutting off their differences and mangling them until they fit into the box. This principle applies to cultures, people, music, fiction, art, etc.
However, there's a reason that stereotypes are used so universally - they make people more comfortable with information. One of the key tenets of learning theory is the concept of "schema" - new information is best learned if it can be related to EXISTING information. This process is normal and comfortable to people, and applies to gaming as well as any other activity.
Yes, you can create a totally unique world, with its own unique cultures, languages, technology, etc, etc. And, if your players are patient and determined enough, they may eventually come to learn, understand, and properly appreciate this new world. BUT, the road is both harder and longer, and in the process you're quite likely to turn away more than a few folks who won't have the patience/memory capacity/curiosity to learn all that new material, without existing references, just to enjoy a game.
That's why so many games USE the stereotypes. They make people comfortable. They give them a place to start. They help them feel knowledgeable (and therefore powerful). If you start with the sterotypical situation, and then give it a twist, the DIFFERENCE really catches attention too. For example, "Elves, love trees, love nature, yadda, yadda, CARNIVORES?!? What?" Immediately, the viewer is interested and involved. Without the background and assumptions of the stereotype, that little hook would be pretty meaningless.
Is it accurate, for example, to lump the Tibetans in with the Chinese? Of course not, their cultures are radically different, and currently in major conflict. But by creating a generic "Asian" culture, in game terms, it at least gives the player a starting template that can be filled in as the game progresses. Mixing elements of the familiar and alien is far more effective than just dumping new ideas on the side of the road.
My personal opinion is that DF is already a pretty marginal-interest game, awesome as it is, when held up against the average gamer. It there doesn't make a lot of sense to further alienate the few brave souls willing to try it.
[/RANT]
This is, of course, my (relatively educated) personal opinion. This does not in any way diminish the opinions of any other person, as all are valid. Only by listening to the ideas of others do we learn, and grow.
Keep up the good work Deon, and follow your own muse!
Rochndil, who actually got some work done last night, yay...
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Topic: [MOD] DFCP [v.B2] 40d13 FULL (Read 35279 times)