Some parties in the hobby/industry appear, near as I can tell, to be rather anal about their RPGs and what they need to be. These people show every indication that RPGs have to be important, inspired, I think by people such as Karl Marx and some author who's name I forget writing on storytelling and why you must use an item you mention in a description at some point in the narrative. Its an idea imitated by people in Academia. To those people, and academics, I have this question, "Sez who?"
Nothing has to be anything. All it needs to be is what it is, if somebody finds a use for it, good for him. But worth is not dependent on utility, and that is my position.
As a certain Galilean once said, "They also serve who only stand and wait."
Or, you don't have to turn that meadow into a golf course.
RPGs are an entertainment, they're supposed to be amusing. They're supposed to be fun. If they aren't fun you're doing it wrong. An RPG is an emultion of life on a large or small stage, often with fantastical elements. An RPG doesn't need to be anything portenteous or polite (to borrow from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum). They don't have to mean a damn thing.
But some people don't feel comfortable unless they're doing something important, something that has meaning. To those people I say, "May you get assigned to tend a pack of dogs some day. Young, active, well rested, well fed dogs." (For an example of joy in chaos you can't beat a pack of young dogs.) As numerous people have said over the years, "Some people just need to lighten up."
That's my take on certain role-gamers, how about yours?
(Cross-posted at The RPG Site as a forum topic.)
Alan Kellogg
