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Post by doctorlovecraft on Mar 16, 2012 19:11:28 GMT -8
I just don't see how the game mechanic could be sexist unless it says give out less Bennies to women (or men for that matter.) What she is talking about is a social issue, not a game mechanics issue. The game mechanics make the assumption that the GM will act in a modern and civilized manner. To make the rules have to discourage sexism shouldn't even be an issue and, in itself, could lead to discriminatory behavior on the GM's part. Her problem has to be with her GM or nothing at all. You get Bennies for being awesome. If you give them out equally, then you might as well not give them out at all. So if she's not getting Bennies it's either a GM issue or she sucks as a player. I do agree that pity Bennies are pathetic and if the GM doesn't see fit to give her Bennies for being a good roleplayer then she shouldn't get any.
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Post by daeglan on Mar 16, 2012 20:43:10 GMT -8
I just don't see how the game mechanic could be sexist unless it says give out less Bennies to women (or men for that matter.) What she is talking about is a social issue, not a game mechanics issue. The game mechanics make the assumption that the GM will act in a modern and civilized manner. To make the rules have to discourage sexism shouldn't even be an issue and, in itself, could lead to discriminatory behavior on the GM's part. Her problem has to be with her GM or nothing at all. You get Bennies for being awesome. If you give them out equally, then you might as well not give them out at all. So if she's not getting Bennies it's either a GM issue or she sucks as a player. I do agree that pity Bennies are pathetic and if the GM doesn't see fit to give her Bennies for being a good roleplayer then she shouldn't get any. I agree. You don't end sexism by codifying sexism into the game in the name of stamping out sexism.
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joegun
Journeyman Douchebag
Posts: 249
Preferred Game Systems: Savage Worlds
Currently Playing: Just GM'ing right now.
Currently Running: Rippers Resurrected, and Savage RIFTS!
Favorite Species of Monkey: Baboon
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Post by joegun on Mar 19, 2012 14:03:48 GMT -8
I think the next Happy Jacks Podcast is going to have a female point of view on the subject. I cannot wait to hear what Kimi and Tappy ;D have to say! Damn, that comment just made Pepsi come out my nose! OUCH! Well Played Sir!
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Post by kaitoujuliet on Mar 19, 2012 17:59:19 GMT -8
Speaking of that next Happy Jacks podcast, where is it? I've been on the edge of my seat since Friday. Did I miss an announcement about a delay?
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willh
Journeyman Douchebag
Posts: 220
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Post by willh on Mar 19, 2012 18:20:02 GMT -8
They had to skip this week due to their St. Patrick's Day show.
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Post by kaitoujuliet on Mar 19, 2012 19:21:06 GMT -8
Oh, of course *smacks self*. Should have thought of that.
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Post by jazzisblues on Mar 20, 2012 6:15:11 GMT -8
They had to skip this week due to their St. Patrick's Day show. Which I might add was totally amaaaaaaaaayyyyyyzing !!! Totally fun hanging out with you, Gina, CADave, Dae (Dave's wife), HosierRob and Gina (2) (Rob's wife). Much fun was had, JiB
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Post by Forresst on Mar 23, 2012 11:12:10 GMT -8
I'm a pretty staunch feminist, myself. But, I know when reading something or going back to see something is just going to make that vein in my head get big. So.... I'm staying out of this one. I agree with all the points raised here. Sexism comes from people, not things. So do all the other $_ism mentalities. I also believe roleplaying is a skill that not enough people understand needs to be worked on to get really good. And finally I do believe that the mouth-frothing anger described before I came along is all just a cynical cash grab. Vein. Head. Big. Screw it.
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Post by yojimbohawkins on Mar 25, 2012 13:07:29 GMT -8
After reading the blog in question, and a brief discussion on the Twitters with HyveMynd about it, I sent the link to my players to get their view. The group currently has a 50/50 split (although up until last week, I had 2 gals to 1 guy in the game). Now to set the scene, I'm playing a hybrid system of Dragon Warriors (80's fantasy game) and Savage Worlds, specifically because I wanted to co-opt SW's benny system. None of my players have played Savage Worlds and are all new to the concept of bennies. They love 'em! Being rewarded for doing something cool and awesome drives all of them to do just that. They have constantly surprised me with their inventiveness and lateral thinking, from using illusory fire to herd wild horses, to tricking a hungry ogre into chasing an illusory man-sized turkey, to entangling a group of attacking knights in enchanted brambles and then stealing their horses. I am very liberal (no pun intended) with the bennies, and hand them out all the time to all my players. So I told them about the blog and got the link for them. I was interested to hear their opinion about the topic, and more importantly, if I was guilty of not rewarding anyone in the game as I should. The reactions were pretty much what you'll find in the posts above, in that the ladies roundly derided the blog as nonsense, with the addendum that "if you can't take the heat, stand up for yourself at the time instead of posting a passive-aggressive blog post". Additionally, the group as a whole are inordinately happy with my generous benny distribution (luckily for me!). From my corner, the other slightly dubious plus to instigating a benny system is that it has encouraged the players to be so awesome, the game is getting pretty raucous. As we play in a public area at lunchtime, this has lead to a number of people asking to join in, one of whom has never played before! I may have to book a conference room at this rate. Anyway, to get back to the original topic, I just can't take this blogger seriously. I may be totally and completely mistaken, but unfortunately, to me it's looking more and more like an inflammatory topic deliberately picked to stir up a debate; and if that is the case, it makes me quite sad that someone would use my favourite hobby as a platform for attention. That said, if this lady is experiencing a form of sexism that is unacceptable to her, then she needs to address it with her group, or find another one. Surely these would be sensible things to do? In defence of Kimi (not that she needs it), all of us here have heard her holding her own on the podcast without being bitchy or nasty, so I can't really see her being overly insulting in her twitter fight, but I will add that I haven't been on her bad side (yet!) and I expect that I would know about it if I was!
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Post by Kimi on Mar 26, 2012 16:37:06 GMT -8
I am a pretty passionate opponent, but I rely on logic to prove my point and not on insults or personal slights.
I think the thing that upset me the most was the idea that women need rules to protect them. I can't think of a less feminist concept! Women need rules to protect them so they can keep going back to games where they are treated badly... WTF? Women need to stand up for themselves or leave bad situations where they are treated badly.
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