Post originally by Fute at 2004-04-20 23:58:59
Converted from Phorums BB System

Ah, but I'm making the argument that social interactions between characters *are* involved in the same dynamic of combat--specifically, motivation conflict--that make combat rules "required."

For one thing, wargames do model psychological factors mechanically, as TOG (any relation to DOB?) pointed out.

For another, you are suggesting that the mediating factor of physical mechanics makes rules for combat necessary. I posit that there are just as many mediating factors in social interaction between a PC and an NPC as there exists in combat.

I further posit that the decision of what to codify with resolution mechanics and what to leave fuzzy is not based on some logical analysis of mediating factors, but on what the designers think is fun to roll dice for, and what they think is fun to improvise.

Which, when I think about it, makes the first 2/3rds of my post moot. Ah, well.

LD wrote:
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There has to be consequences for physical actions, and opportunities for failure that don't just arise out of negotiation between players. That's what the combat rules are for. Any dynamic that does not require this sort of 'mediation' by the laws of physics, etc., and any kind of real negotiations doesn't require the rules.