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[Starscreams Cape]

I actually ran some games at Gencon through the years and they were pretty successful. I don't know if I'd do it anymore though. If your game is for "adults" and you still get shithead tattletales what's the point?

Of course to get the true age of anyone under 40 you need to subtract 5-7 years. Most 21 year olds these days are about as mature as a 14 year old a generation ago.

This is why I'm getting more and more into 40k / historical wargaming. RPG'S going mainstream has pretty much been nothing but a clusterfuck. If I had one of these tenderfoots in an RPG I was running at a convention I think I'd probably want to chew their face off.

 

[robobobo]

There's been a push on RPGnet lately for "X cards" in which the theory is that a triggered player can wave it around to make the GM stop the game and cater to the player's whim about whatever they're uncomfortable about. Oh, but asking the player what the problem is is also too aggressive and inconsiderate of their trauma, so the GM can't do that. So in theory, a person could sit down at a table, immediately grab the X card and just ruin the game for everybody else present by constantly waving it at anything the GM does. It's a great idea.

Don't get me wrong, I've heard absolute horror stories about GMs who are basically exercising some weird fetish or fetishes via their game, there are definitely people out there with no business running a roleplaying game. However, the thing to do in that instance is say, "Fuck this, I'm out," get up, and leave. For all you know the other players are into whatever perversion the GM's giving, no reason to derail their sick enjoyment by making a big production out of it. Just leave.

 

[MembersSchoolPizza]

Don't get me wrong, I've heard absolute horror stories about GMs who are basically exercising some weird fetish or fetishes via their game, there are definitely people out there with no business running a roleplaying game. However, the thing to do in that instance is say, "Fuck this, I'm out," get up, and leave. For all you know the other players are into whatever perversion the GM's giving, no reason to derail their sick enjoyment by making a big production out of it. Just leave.

Yeeeeeeah. Look, I love my hobby, most days, but we create some of our own problems. A lot of them. Ok, most of them.

I mean, case in point...

A GM at a gaming convention in England ran a game, billed as 18+, where the premise is that the characters wake up naked in the back of a van, handcuffed together, with burning asses, and are unceremoniously tossed out and told to run by men with guns. The GM's stated intent was that the knockout drugs had made the characters explosively shit themselves, which is why they were naked and had ass pain, and were going to be hunted for sport by rich assholes. A player interpreted the scenario as the characters all having been raped, complained to the convention, and got the GM banned despite years of having attended without incident.

Whoever thought "You wake up naked, handcuffed, and your ass hurts" wasn't going to be interpreted as "y'all dun got buggered good" is a colossal fucking moron, and anyone who says they didn't realize that would be the conclusion people jumped to is either a liar or too dumb to be allowed behind the screen. And I tend to lean towards "liar", myself.

I mean, yeah, sometimes players and GMs are just not on the same wave length and weird shit happens. I was running a game years back, during the early 3.x days, and a player was playing a real bruiser type character - no charisma or int to speak of, just muscles and brawn and a bit of low cunning (wisdom). At one point during a long sea voyage, he decided his character wanted to get his moves on with some of the women on the ship's crew... As you do, I guess. But, of course, he had no hope of enticing any hot elven babes with his character... so he gets the bright idea to use Intimidate.

To me, it sounded like he was basically threatening to rape one of the elven NPCs, and they interpreted it as such.
According to him, he was just trying to flex his muscles and look heroic and shit, but he conceded it was probably a pretty stupid way to go about it.

But you know what? I paused the game, we talked about it for a couple minutes, and we moved on. We're still good friends to this day. No big fucking deal, just one of those things that happens.

 

[robobobo]

Whoever thought "You wake up naked, handcuffed, and your ass hurts" wasn't going to be interpreted as "y'all dun got buggered good" is a colossal fucking moron, and anyone who says they didn't realize that would be the conclusion people jumped to is either a liar or too dumb to be allowed behind the screen. And I tend to lean towards "liar", myself.

I don't disagree, it sounds like at best an exceedingly stupid plot. GM guy in his interview says he has some sort of recording of the session and notes supporting that he'd implied the poop rather than the rape, but like I said, even the "innocent" version of this is cringey and immature. Just not "ban him for life and call the cops".

 

[AnOminous]

I don't disagree, it sounds like at best an exceedingly stupid plot. GM guy in his interview says he has some sort of recording of the session and notes supporting that he'd implied the poop rather than the rape, but like I said, even the "innocent" version of this is cringey and immature. Just not "ban him for life and call the cops".

It's pretty high on the "Dare you enter my magical realm?" scale.

 

[Wallace]

I don't disagree, it sounds like at best an exceedingly stupid plot. GM guy in his interview says he has some sort of recording of the session and notes supporting that he'd implied the poop rather than the rape, but like I said, even the "innocent" version of this is cringey and immature. Just not "ban him for life and call the cops".

It's pretty high on the "Dare you enter my magical realm?" scale.

This would be my guess too. As a wise man once said, "Rules can't fix stupid, and rules can't fix asshole."

There's been a push on RPGnet lately for "X cards" in which the theory is that a triggered player can wave it around to make the GM stop the game and cater to the player's whim about whatever they're uncomfortable about. Oh, but asking the player what the problem is is also too aggressive and inconsiderate of their trauma, so the GM can't do that. So in theory, a person could sit down at a table, immediately grab the X card and just ruin the game for everybody else present by constantly waving it at anything the GM does. It's a great idea.

Don't get me wrong, I've heard absolute horror stories about GMs who are basically exercising some weird fetish or fetishes via their game, there are definitely people out there with no business running a roleplaying game. However, the thing to do in that instance is say, "Fuck this, I'm out," get up, and leave. For all you know the other players are into whatever perversion the GM's giving, no reason to derail their sick enjoyment by making a big production out of it. Just leave.

The steelman of the X card is that too many people are conflict-adverse or afraid of rocking the boat to speak up about something that bothers them, so it functions like a safeword during sex. While I can certainly see its use in a con game when you're playing with strangers, my issue is that it's functionally a "trust surrogate". It sends a message to your friends that you don't trust them enough with your safety, while at the same time denying yourself the responsibility to get up and walk away if things become exceptional, like in the above case. In practice, the only time I've ever seen it used is at a table of white male neckbeards waving it about like a piety display to try and lure in girls.

Call it my inner GenX-er speaking, but I can't fathom being so weak-willed and easily intimidated that you're not willing to stand up for yourself in such a situation. It's a fucking game, for crying out loud. But eh, if you need it there to make you feel good about yourself, then you do you. If you start waving it around like a moral cudgel, I'll get up and find a new table.

 

[robobobo]

The thing is, the X card is inherently a selfish device. Anyone reaching for it believes that their comfort trumps consideration for everybody else at the table, and that it's fine if the game comes to a screeching halt for the GM and other players. It also exists in a weird state of flux where a scenario where it's actually necessary should not require it. e.g. if a GM is trying to anally impregnate your character while trolls piss on them, you've passed the point of needing a special card, but if you're going to hyperventilate over generic RPG violence, you're too fragile as a person to be out in public in the first place.

 

[AnOminous]

The thing is, the X card is inherently a selfish device. Anyone reaching for it believes that their comfort trumps consideration for everybody else at the table, and that it's fine if the game comes to a screeching halt for the GM and other players. It also exists in a weird state of flux where a scenario where it's actually necessary should not require it. e.g. if a GM is trying to anally impregnate your character while trolls piss on them, you've passed the point of needing a special card, but if you're going to hyperventilate over generic RPG violence, you're too fragile as a person to be out in public in the first place.

I'd have a rule that nobody is allowed to pull shit like that or they just get instantly removed.

 

[anti SJW]

Whoever thought "You wake up naked, handcuffed, and your ass hurts" wasn't going to be interpreted as "y'all dun got buggered good" is a colossal fucking moron, and anyone who says they didn't realize that would be the conclusion people jumped to is either a liar or too dumb to be allowed behind the screen. And I tend to lean towards "liar", myself.

I'd like to know how an adventure starting like that got past the people that run the con. I'd think you'd have to submit it before you are allowed to run in at a public con. IMO thats the type of thing that should only be played out by a groups of people that know each other well and are comfortable with adult themes.

 

[Wallace]

The thing is, the X card is inherently a selfish device. Anyone reaching for it believes that their comfort trumps consideration for everybody else at the table, and that it's fine if the game comes to a screeching halt for the GM and other players. It also exists in a weird state of flux where a scenario where it's actually necessary should not require it. e.g. if a GM is trying to anally impregnate your character while trolls piss on them, you've passed the point of needing a special card, but if you're going to hyperventilate over generic RPG violence, you're too fragile as a person to be out in public in the first place.

Think I'm gonna partially disagree. One of my players is seriously afraid of spiders, and I only learned about it when I threw a few giant ones at his character. He was obviously in distress and I asked him if he was okay, he explained how much spiders scared him, and I said okay and we retconned it into something else.

Of course, I'm mature enough to resolve my problems by talking about them rather than resorting to passive-aggression.

 

[Stab You in the Back]

One of my players is seriously afraid of spiders, and I only learned about it when I threw a few giant ones at his character. He was obviously in distress

You'd think being afraid of make-believe spiders would be a good incentive for him to make-believe slay them.

 

[CamelCursive]

If someone waves around an X-Card at my table, they get directed toward the nearest exit.

Unhinged spergs have no place enjoying things with well-adjusted people. Exile them.

 

[Wallace]

You'd think being afraid of make-believe spiders would be a good incentive for him to make-believe slay them.

Eh, I'm not his therapist. We've been friends for a long time, and not using spiders is a relatively minor social courtesy I extend to him. There's a world of difference between this and performative wokeness or morally browbeating other people.

 

[AnOminous]

If someone waves around an X-Card at my table, they get directed toward the nearest exit.

Unhinged spergs have no place enjoying things with well-adjusted people. Exile them.

There should be a safe space for people like this. With padded walls and nice jackets they can wear.

 

[Dante Alighieri]

There should be a safe space for people like this. With padded walls and nice jackets they can wear.

It's called ResetERA.

 

[Emperor Julian]

I tend to hover around midway point on the cards, the intent is good but the execution is counter-intuative. A mature dialogue seems an infinatly better option.
When running for groups I'm unfamiliar with I tend just to ask people if their are any tabboo subjects although frankly I'm running for my pleasure as much as their's so I'm not proffesionally or morally oblidged to create an' inclusive enviroment' any more than I'm expected to provide excellent customer service when riding a rollercoaster. This may sound nasty but I tend to run horror so it's thematically vital I'm able to explore dark and disturbing concepts and I'm not scrapping my 4 hours prep because you didnt consider Vampires would be predatorial.

EDIT-that said that sore anus guy is pants on head. I personally would have gone for a wrap on the knuckles and warning but I wasnt at the game so god only knows how bad it was/wasnt.

 

[Next Task]

In practice, the only time I've ever seen it used is at a table of white male neckbeards waving it about like a piety display to try and lure in girls.

Yup. The main people I've seen advocate for it are white knights and troons.

Games having ratings and warnings (this character has sexual assault in their background) I think are fine. Also the option to take a time out if things are getting a bit too much, or even discussing with the GM to make a small, surface change, as @Wallace mentions. But that's not enough for some people, and it's a classic SJWism. They want an ability to stop and control whatever is happening, but they would swear up and down that it would never be abused an no-one could ever conceive of misusing a form of power. Especially not someone who decides to weaponise their own potential to be triggered and/or their victimhood status, because to them that simply doesn't happen.

Though to be fair the X card also impedes one of their favourite things to do, which is to get in a snit about something and then, instead of talking to anyone about it or trying to resolve the situation, they just wait until they can complain about it on Twitter, make it sound as bad as possible, then try and get people to brigade the evildoers. I mean, it may be optimistic to think people would then respond, 'Well, why didn't you use the X Card if you were uncomfortable?' but I think at least some people would have that reasonable reaction.

In the case of the sore asses, the guy claims he just forgot to make it clear they had been shitting themselves, and was taking inspiration from teen comedies with an element of gross-out, like The In-Betweeners. Not making it clear was dumb, and honestly it is kind of a dumb idea either way. But again, the upset person didn't try and bring it up with the person directly responsible, either during or after the game. And there's a very big difference in complaining about dumb stuff from a GM and trying to get them sanctioned based on one (admittedly easy) presumption about the game.

But I just get annoyed at the move to try and accommodate this mostly fictional group of people who would be totally into roleplaying and be a totally valuable part of the game if only they weren't being made so uncomfortable by all the rapes and horrific imagery. Low confidence players needing encouragement, I get, and there are piss wizard GMs. But severely non-confrontational, easily offended spergs aren't the sort to contribute anything productive to a gaming table no matter the efforts made, so much like SJWs in general I don't see the point in giving them anything when it will never, ever be good enough.

 

[MembersSchoolPizza]

Five to ten years ago, the fad was "cooperative" games, where either there was no GM or else the GM's traditional powers were strictly defined, limited, and in part given to players.

This just strikes me as more of the same - there is a subset of people within the community who hate hierarchies where either they are not on top or else everyone is not equal. And they also don't really want the responsibility of running a whole game themselves. By dressing it up as "social justice", or whatever term they want to use, they think it gains legitimacy.

 

[Your Weird Fetish]

There's been a push on RPGnet lately for "X cards" in which the theory is that a triggered player can wave it around to make the GM stop the game and cater to the player's whim about whatever they're uncomfortable about. Oh, but asking the player what the problem is is also too aggressive and inconsiderate of their trauma, so the GM can't do that. So in theory, a person could sit down at a table, immediately grab the X card and just ruin the game for everybody else present by constantly waving it at anything the GM does. It's a great idea.

Don't get me wrong, I've heard absolute horror stories about GMs who are basically exercising some weird fetish or fetishes via their game, there are definitely people out there with no business running a roleplaying game. However, the thing to do in that instance is say, "Fuck this, I'm out," get up, and leave. For all you know the other players are into whatever perversion the GM's giving, no reason to derail their sick enjoyment by making a big production out of it. Just leave.

The only time I've heard of anything like that being used is in some pretty hardcore LARPs that could make someone unprepared a bit freaked out. There should be nothing on tabletop that requires that. If your GM invites you to enter his magical piss forest just get up from the table and leave.

 

[Cleric of Autism]

The only time I've heard of anything like that being used is in some pretty hardcore LARPs that could make someone unprepared a bit freaked out. There should be nothing on tabletop that requires that. If your GM invites you to enter his magical piss forest just get up from the table and leave.

The idea of the x-card isn't really about protection from triggering elements, it's at least in my mind, really just another way for the SocJus crowd to sanitize and control an area, that as a player, wouldn't be in their control.