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Too Much Violence In PBP RPGs?

I was just reading what someone posted in a Role-playing Game that I'm also playing. They didn't like how some NPCs were tortured and so didn't know what to do or bailed on the game. So I'm thinking, can you have too much violence in an Role-playing Game? I'd like to read what other players think.

RPGs PBP Violence Too

Is this an ethical issue in an Role-playing Game, is that even possible? I suppose you can become too graphic but how is torture different from hacking away at monsters and taking away their treasure?

Too Much Violence In PBP RPGs? Reviews RPG & Card Board

Torture of a helpless, intelligent creature is certainly different than fighting in a battle. That's one of the reasons the Geneva Convention bans the torture of enemy combatants, and why we react so strongly when a nation, including the US breaks that accord.

To the original question, can an Role-playing Game have too much violence? Sure, but it depends on the players. Maybe Beowolf wants to play a game where he lovingly describes twisting a knife in a goblin's side while whispering how the pain will stop once it tells him where the treasure is hidden. As long as the other players and the GM are on board, groovy. Play on with your edgy self.

The trouble is when a shared expectation and mutual understanding of what is and isn't acceptable isn't forged at the game's onset. Hunter twists the knife when Gatherer goes, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa! What the heck? I thought we were engaging in some Lord of the Rings high adventure when suddenly it goes all Game of Thrones up in here.'

Not everyone wants to go dark. Establish expectations at the beginning, so everyone knows what they're getting into, and you shouldn't have this sort of problem.

Edited: Corinthi on 10th Jan, 2016 - 9:02pm

RPGs PBP Violence Too

I like stating in the beginning where the line is that shouldn't be crossed but I doubt any GM would make that clear from the onset. Maybe if a player knew they wanted to take that angle they should state so first and find out if its permissible rather than presume everyone is alright with it.

RPGs PBP Violence Too

I make it clear when I run as a matter of course, but I have a tendency to run games that could have divisive subject matter. Last Thursday, I started a Monsterhearts campaign, which can involve all sorts of potentially uncomfortable topics, so it's important to make sure people are in the same page first.

Too Much Violence In PBP RPGs?

It is possible that there can be too much violence, though again I tend to agree it matters the gaming group and the players involved.

If everyone is on board with such details and behavior, more power to them. Yet even though I would question torture, or at least going into details for such. I would personally suggest the player make a roll for the torture and not go into the detail of exactly what they do, more leave it up to the players to imagine what they did.

I would actually make a comparison with Star Wars, where Darth Vader tortures Princess Leia. You know the torture took place, and saw the intimidating machine they used, but the movie glossed over the actual details of what exactly took place. More it especially did a 'fade to black', completely leaving it up to the viewer to fill in the blanks.

I personally feel that is the best way to handle torture unless everyone agrees being more graphic would enhance the game.

Edited: Thomaslee on 12th Jan, 2016 - 1:59am

Too Violence PBP RPGs

Just depends on the game, really. Vader was an antagonist, so can get away with a bit more in that story, because he's the villain, he's supposed to be a bad guy. Even then, Leia wasn't covered in bruises, lacerations, and missing her fingernails when Han and Luke rescued her.

And there's a difference between slapping a prisoner around as part of an intimidate check and using Ray of Frost to freeze his pinky and smash it with a hammer.

Ultimately, it's just a matter of communication, which is tougher in a written medium than it is in a face to face game. My rule of thumb, if you're about to go darker than the game's been to this point, maybe take a moment to check to make sure it's cool Out of Character before you start filleting a fool In Character.

Too Violence PBP RPGs Board Card & RPG Reviews

Honestly I find idea of what would normally be the heroes, the adventuring party, truly and graphically torturing an opponent to be uncomfortable and worthy of being questioned. If all or most of the party is of good alignment I would be asking if such behavior is appropriate.

Mattering what the party actually wanted to do, or did, I would probably give a "What the Hell, Hero?" moment either In Character or Out of Character. That is, if such wasn't discussed before hand and everyone was in agreement. I would probably be one of the ones against the idea, as I do find such to be more of a villian thing.

Edited: Thomaslee on 12th Jan, 2016 - 2:51am