Editor in Chief Bill | 08 Oct 2016 1:29 p.m. PST |
Are there certain rulesets which somehow attract bullies as fans, or are bullies out there for most rulesets? |
Joes Shop | 08 Oct 2016 1:33 p.m. PST |
No, they are simply out there… |
Winston Smith | 08 Oct 2016 1:37 p.m. PST |
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alexjones | 08 Oct 2016 1:42 p.m. PST |
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etotheipi | 08 Oct 2016 2:02 p.m. PST |
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Editor in Chief Bill | 08 Oct 2016 2:13 p.m. PST |
I'm thinking the kind of person who drives other gamers away. |
Ottoathome | 08 Oct 2016 2:32 p.m. PST |
They're just bullies. The rules have nothing to do with it. Bullies are not really a problem. They will usually be not be invited back after behaving badly at someone's house. If they hold games at their own house, after one visit or two the invitees won't come back. Bullies are more prevalent at game stores and shops until they find no one plays with them there and complains to the owner. They abound on places like TMP, but Bill is doing his best. |
Weasel | 08 Oct 2016 3:15 p.m. PST |
I've met more bullies in highly competitive games than in casual ones, but I don't know if any specific games are better or worse about it. Internet culture with its focus on pedantry and mistaking length for quality tends to encourage it, I find. |
robert piepenbrink | 08 Oct 2016 3:53 p.m. PST |
Several different kinds of people drive other wargamers away. Without naming rules--some of the authors are my friends, and I've written rules myself--certain features draw certain types of obnoxious behavior. The good, old-fashioned burst circle and bounce stick are made to order for the classic bully--the sort of person who will place a 4" burst circle over a close-packed square and announce he's taken three casualties. The world of "modern" rules with a core set, a theater supplement and two army books is the lurking place of the rules lawyer. Those things are never rigorously play-tested, and these people would rather find an ambiguity in the rules than an open flank. ("Yes, the river is impassable: but elite voltigeurs ignore terrain penalties!") And if you miss both of those with clear "back of the envelope" rules, you leave yourself open to Home Court Harry, the cavalry commander whose board is too narrow to permit infantry rallies--it was on sale at the DIY store--and has the most remarkable assortment of terrain on his shelves: none of it impedes any of his favorite troops. I'm not sure there's a way out, but you can pick your poison. |
chuck05 | 08 Oct 2016 6:01 p.m. PST |
In my experience, the competetive tournament driven games seem to attract the worst kind of gamer. Ive played Warmachine and 40k at local shops over the past few years. I was just looking for a friendly game so I could get acquainted with the rules and whatnot and I always seem to end up playing against some WAAC player. Its really off putting. |
ITALWARS | 08 Oct 2016 6:13 p.m. PST |
i totally agree with chuck05….Competitive tournaments driven games attract the most unpleasant people in the hobby…here in Italy i remenber poor show offered by nerd type guys..without any knowledge of history plyaing historical army pitted against other impossible ones..like Samurai Vs Romans…lurking among their badly translated rule books as they , as the majority of Italians,are'nt able to read in English….the kind of rules choosed by those persons are the opposite, for ex, of friendly amusing entertianing ones like TSTAF…i have also the feeling that is one of the reason why those kind of rule sets are not spread and appreciated in my country |
PrivateSnafu | 08 Oct 2016 10:22 p.m. PST |
I've heard some of the Warmachine game nights have devolved into shouting. |
Old Contemptibles | 08 Oct 2016 11:29 p.m. PST |
Johnny Reb. I don't know why but it is. |
fantasque | 09 Oct 2016 2:57 a.m. PST |
What a bizarre question. Why do you ask Bill? |
USAFpilot | 09 Oct 2016 7:35 a.m. PST |
If the rules are poorly written, I can see how someone with a forceful personality could be a bully with his interpretation of a rule versus another players view of a rule. Holes in a set of rules leads to conflict among competitive people. Fix the rules; no bullies. I.e. There are no bullies in chess. |
Ottoathome | 09 Oct 2016 9:09 a.m. PST |
One thing that drives bullies away, especially at conventions, and of course in my home games as well. I tell all players that as GM I expect exemplary levels of good sportsmanship from all. When I am asked "What do you mean by that?" I say "Everyone here is new to the rules. I expect therefore cooperation and an easy going attitude and gentlemanly chivalry. At conventions, about half the time, that is when one or two gamers get up and walk away. |
Editor in Chief Bill | 09 Oct 2016 3:51 p.m. PST |
What a bizarre question. Why do you ask Bill? Prompted by PM from a newbie who had a bad experience… |
(Phil Dutre) | 09 Oct 2016 11:23 p.m. PST |
Bullies? I prefer to game with adult people. School playgrounds are long in the past. |
Stepman3 | 10 Oct 2016 3:39 a.m. PST |
"Bullies", a new catch phrase to be used for anyone that has different views than yourself. Not to be confused by the kid who beat you up over lunch money…Harden up some and learn to deal with them. There was a guy that used to come into the local GW shop and only play against younger kids. This guy was in his 30's. One day I asked if he would play me, he accepted. He had this habit of rolling the dice and before you had a chance to look at them he had already removed them saying that there was "x amount of hits against your whatever". So the day of our game, he had some kind of uber Chaos army and I had Bretonnians, I used loaded dice resulting in some great results. I won the game by cheating and he never played me again. Shortly afterwards he stopped coming around… |
Who asked this joker | 11 Oct 2016 6:42 a.m. PST |
Hit or miss on all rules sets. Like Joe says above. |
ochoin | 12 Oct 2016 2:49 a.m. PST |
I tell all players that as GM I expect….. I've found that rather than laying down dictatorial stringents, which promote poor behaviour, treating my gaming partners as adults results in adult behaviour. At any rate I've never encountered bullies in the wargaming world. Perhaps taking the role of GM too seriously is the problem? |
snurl1 | 12 Oct 2016 3:11 a.m. PST |
Some of the comments by Chain of Command players directed at Bolt Action players were a bit over the top, so yes, I would have to agree with the OP question. |
Retiarius9 | 31 Dec 2016 10:59 a.m. PST |
Anyone who feels he has the right to move another players troops i consider a bully |
Retiarius9 | 31 Dec 2016 10:59 a.m. PST |
ps: and there are many more than there should be at every convention |