While We Wait: Writer's Block & Other Lame Excuses

[JohannaK]

Okay, so you're trying to troll me. I had serious doubts, but I see it clear now.

 

[TheLizardKing]

Hardly, apologies if perceived that way, I'm just making a point that LeBoshWadeNES is like.. an artists expression of NESing.

So yes, burn them all.

 

[Crezth]

LeBoshWadeNES is hands-down the best active NES.

 

[talonschild]

I might rank SMW above LeBoshWade if... you know... it was active. Cough, cough

 

[talonschild]

Y'know, I've never discovered a clear explanation of the difference between a NES and an IOT, aside of the subforum. Could someone help me out?

 

[SamSniped]

Ask Luckymoose for his quite hilarious answer.

 

[Crezth]

Y'know, I've never discovered a clear explanation of the difference between a NES and an IOT, aside of the subforum. Could someone help me out?

There is none. IOTs and NESes are essentially the same thing.

There are some general differences in execution but that is meaningless because both are such broad descriptions: NESes include everything from pure roleplaying exercises to highly regimented board games. As far as I understand, IOTs are similarly liberated.

A majority of IOTs as executed now remind strongly of NESing in its youth. Only a lot more logical, if you can believe that.

 

[qoou]

My Grandmother sent me this today. It's a letter she found, which was sent by her father and mother to his sister. She translated it and transcribed it from Hungarian, and I thought it might interest some of you. Anyway, here, it is:

Thanks for that.

 

[Lord_Iggy]

Y'know, I've never discovered a clear explanation of the difference between a NES and an IOT, aside of the subforum. Could someone help me out?

The differences are a few superficial differences in unstated rules, and a generally different community. NESing is a heck of a lot older though, you can dig through this subforum to find some of the earliest threads.

 

[spryllino]

Having never played in an IOT, I don't know, but is it not generally the case that IOTs do not pretend to mimic history, or to mimic the logic of the world that they are set in, to any substantial extent? I mean, say, with an EQNES, you at least vaguely expect people - and general circumstances - to work as they would under similar circumstances in reality, and under Dachs or Perfectionist rather less vaguely so, and you expect clans even in Fantasy NESes to act as they might be likely to under the circumstances they are under, and for the mod to direct things on a similar premises. I suppose I might say that more shortly by suggesting that I was under the definite impression that - on the whole - NESes were more RP-like and/or simulation-like than IOTs, and IOTs were more board-game-like and/or OOC-centred (i.e. people may take things personally, and do whatever they like even if it makes little sense) than NESes.

Am I wrong? If so, I have been labouring under a misapprehension and I apologise; if I'm right, then although there's no fast distinction between IOTs and NESes as NESes exist to-day, there's at least a meaningful difference of focus.

 

[GamezRule]

IOT is more of a board game, having come out of Forum Games. NES is more of a story, having come out of Stories and Tales.

 

[Terrance888]

I will preface this by saying I am a long-time lurker in the IOT subforum.

The main difference between IOT and NESing is of community. Any other differences stem from this central one. AS to what IOT and NESes actually are: there are no significant differences.

[INSERT]What Gamez says is true, but even this difference is rapidly closing.[/INSERT]

IOTs attempt to follow the logic of the world as much as their GM demands. In IOTs such as Iron and Blood, the GMs attempt highly logical and realistic simulations of geopolitics and history. Other IOTs are sillier. Again, not only do we have Perf and EQ NESes, but also Imago NESes and Savag NESes. The main difference I see here is that IOT GMs are overall and generally more tolerant of unrealistic/unreasonable/non sequitor moves. This leads to a community that, unlike ours, doesn't place as high as a value on this aspect of the game.

IOTs also generally more mechanically based; again, that is due to their community. Remember the "Black Box" movement several years back spearheaded by Bird Jaguar and Matt0088? Imagine a semi-transparent black box with most variables calculable if desired, but automated if not. Many of the more complex IOTs utilize this type of system, where spending directly affects success rates of spies, or in the calculation of trade values. Why did they move in this direction? From reading articles written by various IOT significants, it is because of the backlash to warmongers early in IOT history where there is a general demand for a progression of rules to limit the ability for any nation to develop and utilize WMDs or massive armies. Currently there are both reactionary "return to our roots" style IOTs, "classic" IOTs and newer IOTs with indepth economic models taking cues from former rulesets as well as SysNES.

Both IOTs and NESes are in their basis a Roleplaying/Politic'ing mixture with freedom to branch out as their GM and community wishes.

I would play more IOTs if the general community doesn't turn me off as much as it does. This is similar to how alt-his and modern-esque NESes turn me off.

There are "NES-styled" IOTs and "IOT-styled" NESes.


tl;dr

Main difference is community and how they developed- yes, this does lead to a difference in focus and execution. In the manner of the differences between IOTs and NESes themselves, there are no real differences in what they are, what they are intended to be, what counts within their definition... etc.

 

[Angst]

main difference between iots and neses is that iots are generally province based and neses nonprovince based

that will automatically mean that iots get a more "gamey" feel while neses get a more "loose, rpgish" feel

but thats the tendency, not the requirement

the two forums could do well with a merge with the name of whatever

both names are buttugly you see

 

[Arrow Gamer]

Quick question: what does tl;dr mean?

 

[SamSniped]

Too long; didn't read.

 

[Daftpanzer]

Oh Flower of NES-ing

When will we see

Your like again

That fought and died for

Yer wee bit forum and thread

And stood against them

The OT noob's army

And sent them homeward

To think again.

 

[erez87]

Oh Flower of NES-ing

When will we see

Your like again

That fought and died for

Yer wee bit forum and thread

And stood against them

The OT noob's army

And sent them homeward

To think again.

You didn't make a NES for a while... Is that some form of torture?

 

[Thlayli]

Oh Flower of NES-ing

When will we see

Your like again

That fought and died for

Yer wee bit forum and thread

And stood against them

The OT noob's army

And sent them homeward

To think again.

In memoriam.

 

[Daftpanzer]

Inspired by
Link to video.

 

[Nuka-sama]

so pretty much if you don't join LeBoshWade Nes, you're wasting your life