Post originally by Sergio Mascarenhas at 2004-04-01 06:15:40
Converted from Phorums BB System

<< Unfounded generalizations? Loaded words here. Perception is much more accurate term. >>

Yes, unfounded generalisations. David makes a generic statement about games (a generalisation) and does not back it up with data (ence, unfounded).

<< Oh come on. Who does statistical studies of FRPG's? You don't and neither does anybody else >>

Of course. That's why I avoid using expressions like "most games". I don't have the data to back it.

<< You mentioned Skyrealms of Jorune! I own one of the few remaining copies in existence. Highly successful? Unfounded generalization, to use your terms >>

Humm, you're right on this if we take exposure and sales as a criteria for success. SRJ was a successful game if we look at the following it was able to generate and the influence it had even in some (yes, not many) game designers.

This is another problem with the discussion. Since the criteria are not defined, we don't know what sustains the generalisations. Is it exposure? Sales? Influence? We don't know.

<< But none of them have anywhere near the marketshare of 3E, 2E, or 1E. So success is relative >>

They don't have the marketshare (if we accept this as the criteria for success; since it was not defined before it is abusive to consider it as the criteria) of DnD games. The problem is that by that token there are no successful games other than xDnD. So, we have to drop DnD as the reference for success. By this token all of the games I mentionned were or are successful. Yes, they may not have remained successful, but they were. (And you are right that by that token SRJ was not successful).

<< Do you always post exact semantic distinctions for every one of your posts? >>

No, of course. But the problem with the review was not that one or two unfouded generalizations slipped through. It was the fact that there were so many. If there was the odd case I would not have reacted.

<< cut him some slack. It's a review >>

Well, I start my comments by saying that I consider it a good review. I end by restating this. In the middle I make a negative remark and sustain it with examples so that I cannot be accused myself of unfounded criticism. Am I being too harsh? I think not.

sergio