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Ok, so here's a thing.
We've all talked a bit about the core escapism of D&D is not elves or spellcasting, but rather the magical power of direct action, AKA violence. It's like an afterschool cartoon with a really terrible, terrible lesson.
And that's genuinely fine.
We've all talked a bit about the core escapism of D&D is not elves or spellcasting, but rather the magical power of direct action, AKA violence. It's like an afterschool cartoon with a really terrible, terrible lesson.
And that's genuinely fine.
I don't bring this up to bust on D&D. Catharsis is potent stuff, and getting to play out something where you get to make a difference is a lot of fun.
But it *does* make me want to talk about another game which does the same thing, and also totally does not.
But it *does* make me want to talk about another game which does the same thing, and also totally does not.
#iHunt (yes, the octothorp is part of the name) has one of my favorite "What the game is about" statements ever:
" #iHunt is a game about stories. Stories about how people react to utterly fucked circumstances."
Makes me smile.
" #iHunt is a game about stories. Stories about how people react to utterly fucked circumstances."
Makes me smile.
So, the core pitch of #iHunt is pretty easy to convey - It's like uber, but for killing monsters.
Really, that's it.
The thing is, if I tell you just those two things, you're going to have a very incomplete - possibly to the point of incorrect - view of the game.
Really, that's it.
The thing is, if I tell you just those two things, you're going to have a very incomplete - possibly to the point of incorrect - view of the game.
Based just on those things, it sounds pretty gonzo. And it totally can be.
The kicker - the real trick of it - is it's not the monster hunting that is at the heart of being fucked. It's being in a situation where hunting monsters for cash via an app seems like the best option.
The kicker - the real trick of it - is it's not the monster hunting that is at the heart of being fucked. It's being in a situation where hunting monsters for cash via an app seems like the best option.
Now, the reason I bring it up in this context is that - assuming part of the appeal of the game is the visceral sense of those circumstances - the *role* of violence is structurally similar to D&D. It is *liberation*.
Except while D&D just sort of bakes that in, #iHunt wears that on its sleeve. The violence and danger and action are an escape in game AND out of game.
That is pretty goddamned clever.
That is pretty goddamned clever.
To be clear, I don't hold this up as a "Look how much better/more aware/clever/whatever this indie game is!" Rather, I hold it up to show that one of the great virtues of this age of games is that there are more angles, insights and perspectives available to us.
That's awesome
That's awesome
If you're curious, #iHunt's on itch - https://machineage.itch.io/ihunt-the-rpg - and it's a good read. There's a lot more going on in there than just the bit I'm talking about now. There are books too, but I can't speak to them because Tsundoku.
Anyway, reminder that It's a golden age.
Anyway, reminder that It's a golden age.
I should add, I am totally being a jerk in not tagging @machineiv and @filamena as I ramble here, because I figure they'll see it eventually, but it occurs to me that some of you nice folks not know how awesome they are, so now I do the thing.
