Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Neoclassical RPGs

From Twitter:

@RobertsonGames: Since 1e #dnd is often called "Classic" D&D, does that make Swords & Wizardry and Labyrinth Lord "Neoclassical" RPGs? :)


Yes! That is perfect, since most of us aren't exactly playing these games the same way they were back when. It's a reinvention, a new style, based on studying those games, tweaking them, exploring what those structures and styles mean.

We can't go back to the '70s, even if we wanted to. But we can take what was best in the classical roleplaying games and imagine the heck out of 'em.

UPDATE: more here.

12 comments:

Jack Badelaire said...

I like that term a hell of a lot more than "Old School". I'd rather call it Neo-Classical Gaming, even if that does sound more elitist or snobbish.

Actually, I'm just sick to death of seeing "Old School", period.

"Retro-Gaming" or "Disco-Era Gaming" are still favorites of mine.

taichara said...

But if 1e etc. are Classic(al), wouldn't that actually make LL and company Hellenistic?

... I'll get my hat.

trollsmyth said...

taichara: I just want to know when you're coming out with the first pre-raphaelite RPG. ;)

taichara said...

Ei; the seventeenth century is not quite on for my preferred timeframe. ;3

Unless you're talking seventeenth century BC, which works nicely for going into Minoan Crete ~




(WV: psynt -- of psionic nature; one who uses psionics)

taichara said...

Correction: I think I want nineteenth century for the Pre-Raphaelites. I think.

I'm better with Bronze Age things ~! *flailing*


;3

Unknown said...

Glad you guys like the term. :)

It does have a bit of that pseudo-intellectual vibe than "old school" but at the same time it's a lot more honest than saying something you wrote last week is somehow old school... when it's really not.

Norman J. Harman Jr. said...

Bah.

Not a bad name if you like the P of RSP. But, it gots nothing on
Fun School!

E.G.Palmer said...

I like the term, Neoclassical gaming. It sounds respectable,and solid. what would that make the newer stuff? Bauhause? Mid-century modern?
I'll probably just stick with Old Guard though, I've been a crusty old man since I was twelve.

Chris McDowall said...

Coming from a music background I'd follow up Classical with Romantic and Modern.

Chris said...

Neoclassical? *bleugh* Palladian prescriptivism and architectural snobbery have nothing on the romanticism and grandeur of the Victorian Gothic revival (which is the true prototype of the spirit of the Fun School Renaissance). ;)

PS: Taichara = baroque, and Baroque >>> the Pre-Raphaelites (bunch of drips with a mannish brickjaw fetish).

Steven said...

I'm fine with Neo-Classical, I suppose. Can't think of a better way to describe it myself.

Steven Till
http://steventill.com

Unknown said...

Neo-Traditional Adventure Games sound better to me. 1e isn't "classic", which is the adjective usually placed before Dungeons & Dragons to describe B/X or BEMCI.