When lives co-world (1)

These past few days I've been pondering the many imaginary worlds of wargamers and roleplayers, and more specifically how we interact with these spaces.

So what's cooking? Well, that rather depends...

It starts with Games Workshop's unreleased Stormraven, a possible pic of which has emerged. Opinion is divided. Two discussions at Bell of Lost Souls (one and two) show some commenters, such as Snord, Tynskel and our very own Satiran, are able to recognise in their positive critiques that compromises are necessary in sharing a world. In wargaming the world is more fixed and the wargamer accepts it more or less as it is.

In roleplaying the world is more fluid, perhaps frighteningly so. There are advantages. To take the Stormraven example, the DM or GM has only to show a good likeness (from concept ships?) and let the players imagine their own details. This is both more work and less, for everyone involved, but it is liberating. Then again, having a physical model does help with interactions, which is why miniatures and 2D or 3D maps have their place in RPGs too. The extent of the crossover is surprising, and I tried to reflect it here.

Agreement on change is hard to find. In wargaming naturally more so. Here I referenced a discussion on the future of Warhammer 40,000. At issue was the death of the Emperor, an enormously significant event in the 40K universe if ever it happened. Compare that to this discussion at The Other Side on the death of a god in D&D. A piece of cake! Reshape the universe? Cup of tea, a biscuit and away you go.

To be fair, the edges of wargaming are also blurred with house rules and conversions, even scratch-built models and armies. For me personally they really should be. Just be careful - as Natfka at Faeit 22 well illustrates, not everyone wants the same thing. This is highlighted by the ongoing comp incidents, my contribution to which debate is here.

That aside, there's a lot to say in favour of the more fixed nature of wargaming even beyond the game world itself. A recent article at Roll With It showed how a wargamer really is a free agent. He or she may not be the master of the world, or even influential in it, but can master every tool needed to enter that world on the first level. It also means two players meeting for the first time need only set up models to begin. A short exchange I had with a serviceman a few days ago covered this. Not sure I'd want to play 40K with guns around though...

Of course, the narratives of roleplaying are often far more involving and so the bonds between the players grow with the bonds between their characters, or lack thereof. There's certainly a place for this too. But just because roleplaying is living in a world doesn't mean wargaming can't be. In fact, the two categories are so vast they are essentially the same hobby seen from different angles.

The point is then that there's plenty wargamers and roleplayers have in common, and much to learn from the complementary ways of doing things. Part of my interest with this blog is placing the two side-by-side and seeing if they can't get closer still.

So what about that Stormraven? Well, for the love of the wider game, those of us who may not be convinced do have to accept it, and may as well do so with good grace.

In the meantime, sci-fi vehicle users of all gaming persuasions, have a look at a cool tool Andy at Little Lead Heroes has cooked up for Dirtside II. Some goodness there for all.

Bring a dish, share the recipes and tuck in.