Ive been busy lately (RL overload; plus all my free time has been spent watching the Tour de France) so I havent been following Demo Game events. I just glanced through the three competing constitutions (this one plus Striders & Nobodys), and prefer this one of the three. I hope to do a detailed read of this over the weekend and then will post some thoughts.
However, one quick observation: I think the preamble and opening of this constitution (as well as the other two) needs real work. What is the purpose of the Demo Game? Why doesnt the Constitution spell that out? Right now all three Constitutions contain gratuitous and legalistic mumble jumble rather than clearly defining what the Demo Game is and why were playing it.
For instance, weve been arguing about the lack of role play (and what proper role play consists of), but if this concept is so important, why isnt it in the Constitution? How we roleplay doesn't have to be spelled out; just the fact that it's an expected part of the game.
All three Constitutions are great if we intend most of our role playing to focus on simulating the roles of governmental officials and poll-crazed citizens; and we actually do role play that to perfection (at least I hope weve been role playing!). But I gather people want something way beyond that (although it would be interesting to run a poll to see how much role playing people actually do want). Anyway, if this concept is central to the DG it must be front and center in the Constitution. Remember, the role of the Constitution is to define how we as citizens are to conduct our gameplay. Playing at Government is just one of the actions that we citizens undertake; it isn't the entirety of the Demo Game.
Ravensfire, this criticism aside, youve done some good work here. More comments later.
However, one quick observation: I think the preamble and opening of this constitution (as well as the other two) needs real work. What is the purpose of the Demo Game? Why doesnt the Constitution spell that out? Right now all three Constitutions contain gratuitous and legalistic mumble jumble rather than clearly defining what the Demo Game is and why were playing it.
For instance, weve been arguing about the lack of role play (and what proper role play consists of), but if this concept is so important, why isnt it in the Constitution? How we roleplay doesn't have to be spelled out; just the fact that it's an expected part of the game.
All three Constitutions are great if we intend most of our role playing to focus on simulating the roles of governmental officials and poll-crazed citizens; and we actually do role play that to perfection (at least I hope weve been role playing!). But I gather people want something way beyond that (although it would be interesting to run a poll to see how much role playing people actually do want). Anyway, if this concept is central to the DG it must be front and center in the Constitution. Remember, the role of the Constitution is to define how we as citizens are to conduct our gameplay. Playing at Government is just one of the actions that we citizens undertake; it isn't the entirety of the Demo Game.
Ravensfire, this criticism aside, youve done some good work here. More comments later.
if it works out and the game goes well. But 4 months from now if it's not working out, we'll be stuck in a suicide pact because you're making it possible for a few diehards to force the rest of us to go down with the ship.
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