Balancing Roleplaying with Powergaming

Szass-Tam · 03-20-2004, 06:58 AM

I don't think that there is enough role playing in the CRPGs these days *looks lovingly at TORMENT*.

I know that they tried to strike a balance with the BG series, but I still felt that my character was just a killing machine on legs.

Anyway, I just wanted to ask wether you thought this too or wether you thought they got the balance just right.

Nerull · 03-20-2004, 07:41 AM

I agree with you, but you have to understand that they are simply making the games that the market is demanding. The fact that there are so many games out there that are more hack and slash than roleplaying says that more people out there want those types of games. In fact, quite a few people who played PS:T found it "boring". Just like in movies, people want more of the "3 Bs": blowups, blood, and breasts. So you and I (along with the other people who mourn the loss of "real" roleplaying games) are pretty much in the minority.

Legolas · 03-20-2004, 08:54 AM

Agreed, although you should not forget that the roleplay needs to come from yourself as much as the game. Even in 'real' rpgs there's room for powergaming, and the reverse is just as true.

Assassin · 03-20-2004, 09:18 AM

Nowadays, yes. However, I think that BG2 has a pretty good balance between roleplay and powerplay.

Szass-Tam · 03-20-2004, 10:27 AM

I suppose that the inevitable conclusion is that Powergaming games sell better and despite what we might think people do find Role playing boring. I suppose that I can live with the balance achieved in BG 1 and 2.

Dreamer128 · 03-20-2004, 10:48 AM

BG offered plenty of opportunities to roleplay your char. Was irritated me was the extreme amounts of uber items you found. In TOB, every Merc you killed had at least +3 weapons and armor. Child of a god or not, I do believe there are certain limits. Same story NWN:HOTU. *Yawn* another +6 sword.

03-20-2004, 06:58 AM	#1
Szass-Tam Zhentarim Guard Join Date: October 14, 2002 Location: London, England Age: 34 Posts: 328	I don't think that there is enough role playing in the CRPGs these days looks lovingly at TORMENT. I know that they tried to strike a balance with the BG series, but I still felt that my character was just a killing machine on legs. Anyway, I just wanted to ask wether you thought this too or wether you thought they got the balance just right. __________________ [img]\"http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/7922/biko86fu.jpg\" alt=\" - \" />

03-20-2004, 07:41 AM	#2
Nerull Lord Ao Join Date: May 17, 2001 Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA Age: 54 Posts: 2,069	I agree with you, but you have to understand that they are simply making the games that the market is demanding. The fact that there are so many games out there that are more hack and slash than roleplaying says that more people out there want those types of games. In fact, quite a few people who played PS:T found it "boring". Just like in movies, people want more of the "3 Bs": blowups, blood, and breasts. So you and I (along with the other people who mourn the loss of "real" roleplaying games) are pretty much in the minority. __________________ [img]\"ubb/noncgi/smiles/new/ghoul.gif\" alt=\" - \" /><br /><br />\"The middle class pays all of the taxes, does all of the work.<br />The lower class exists just to scare the middle class.\"<br />-George Carlin

03-20-2004, 09:18 AM	#4
Assassin Symbol of Cyric Join Date: March 23, 2003 Location: Canada Age: 37 Posts: 1,134	Nowadays, yes. However, I think that BG2 has a pretty good balance between roleplay and powerplay. __________________ In The Terminator, Sarah Connor is told a speech by John Connor\'s father that John has given in the future. When John is born, Sarah tells John this speech, and John grows up to tell it in the future. So who wrote the speech?!

03-20-2004, 10:27 AM	#5
Szass-Tam Zhentarim Guard Join Date: October 14, 2002 Location: London, England Age: 34 Posts: 328	I suppose that the inevitable conclusion is that Powergaming games sell better and despite what we might think people do find Role playing boring. I suppose that I can live with the balance achieved in BG 1 and 2. __________________ [img]\"http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/7922/biko86fu.jpg\" alt=\" - \" />

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03-20-2004, 08:54 AM	#3
Legolas Jack Burton Join Date: March 31, 2001 Location: The zephyr lands beneath the brine. Age: 40 Posts: 5,459	Agreed, although you should not forget that the roleplay needs to come from yourself as much as the game. Even in 'real' rpgs there's room for powergaming, and the reverse is just as true.

03-20-2004, 10:48 AM	#6
Dreamer128 Dracolisk Join Date: March 21, 2001 Location: Europe Age: 40 Posts: 6,136	BG offered plenty of opportunities to roleplay your char. Was irritated me was the extreme amounts of uber items you found. In TOB, every Merc you killed had at least +3 weapons and armor. Child of a god or not, I do believe there are certain limits. Same story NWN:HOTU. Yawn another +6 sword.

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