I tried to read it, but at five AM it''s difficult to read the very words you''ve been pondering over for the last ten months. I''ll have another go tomorrow.

PS- thanks for the ego rub...

-landfish

The name "Landfish" is just a name... a name that was creating confusion. I felt that some people weren''t REALLY reading the posts I was making, instead choosing to opposed them without understanding them... all because of the wieght that the word "landfish" has started to carry around here. By posting anon, I might being forcing them to consider my words as those of any of you.

If I really wanted to raise my GDNet "level", I''d be a COMPLETE hippocrite, no wouldn''t I?

Having finally found the time to read the whole thing, I have reached a verdict... the document is not *truly* landfishian. Landfish was WAY more of an anarchist than this guy. However, he is right about the careful examination of the tools you choose, and some of his more idealist moments slightly resembled the beginnings of a Landfish rant.

But generally, I think if this Spector chap ever had a go with the landfish, he''d write him off as a complete psycho. And he''d be right! But on to a serious discussion.

I think he was holding back. I feel like he wanted to lash out at something, but had too much common sense. He likely understood that anger achieves nothing. Oh well. He seems to believe in games evolving to a more... signifigant medium, just as Landfish did. (did... get it?)

I think the role of combat is the first thing that will change everything. There are so many more levels upon which a great story can happen to a player, or a player can forge a great story. (it really happens both ways, huh?) Like he said in the article, how will games be when they can support things like seduction, blackmail... not with abstract systems but with a sultry look or a cold, thin stare.

This WILL NOT happen if we allow combat to hold the stage. Let''s face it, there are those who are simply living out their testosterone aspiring fantasies, power tirps of the male ego driven to the millionth degree. Pen & Paper RPGs have long since evolved out of this, while leaving the old school for those who have the patience for it. We really did forge a new standard when players stopped keeping track of thier cash to the penny.

I''m adamant about this absolute death thing. I think it *could* be such a step in the right direction, but it must be handled with caution.

So... having read the article, a "professional" opinion, do you guys feel you''ve gleaned any more understanding of Landfish''s old ramblings? If so, I shudder to think that he was saying the exact same thing, and yet few listened? Or didn''t they?

ENOUGH RAMBLING!