The Nürnberg Defense of Gaming
As far as I know, this idea is a very common one (even if not commonly called that) but I was still surprised that no one did a write up of it (that I could find). So, here it is, with my thoughts.
Known also as “That’s what my character would do!”, the Nürnberg Defense of Gaming is used by players who defend their own fun of playing an asshole over the fun of other players who would like to not have to suffer assholes. Just like you know who (or who you think used that defense before).
While I’m all in favor of people investing in their character’s… character, when you are playing a roleplaying game, you are playing a social game. As another axiom of TTRPGs says, “The only way to play wrong is if someone isn’t having fun”. So, if you are playing in any way that makes any other player miserable, it’s up to you to change.
That’s basically it. I was thinking of what else I can say about it but it pretty much boils down to this simple rule: If you’re playing in a way (including your character’s mannerisms) that makes someone else at the table miserable or ruining their fun, then you’re the asshole and you’re playing wrong. If you don’t agree, prepare to be ejected from your group some time in the future.
Posted in No Category by Eran with comments disabled.