This editorial by Felipe Pepe discusses why RPGs should have more politics and economy in them.
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Gamasutra - More Politics (and Economy) in RPGs
- Thread starter Silver
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For ages we have politics presence in RPGs. It's not just about minorities, sex, monetization, we have racism issues and different governmental forms covered too.
If there is something we don't lack of in RPGs, it's politics. Somewhere briefly mentioned, somewhere storymeddling. Doesn't stop there, thanks to DX games we have covered also conspiracies.
Economy is present in it's basic forms. We had seen items exchange, classic stores, crafting2sell, loot2sell, loans and somewhere even investing $ into some business.
We've also seen games with both of it - for example slavery and buying/selling slaves.
Do we need more of it?
In fantasy RPGs I'd say no. It'd most probably sidetrack the game onto unnecessary stuff.
In Sci Fi RPGs I'd say yes. There is a huge opportunity of exploring different possibilities only crazy minds can think of in both politics and economy. With thousands of different species and endless plantes, there should be a place to bring in fresh ideas.
If there is something we don't lack of in RPGs, it's politics. Somewhere briefly mentioned, somewhere storymeddling. Doesn't stop there, thanks to DX games we have covered also conspiracies.
Economy is present in it's basic forms. We had seen items exchange, classic stores, crafting2sell, loot2sell, loans and somewhere even investing $ into some business.
We've also seen games with both of it - for example slavery and buying/selling slaves.
Do we need more of it?
In fantasy RPGs I'd say no. It'd most probably sidetrack the game onto unnecessary stuff.
In Sci Fi RPGs I'd say yes. There is a huge opportunity of exploring different possibilities only crazy minds can think of in both politics and economy. With thousands of different species and endless plantes, there should be a place to bring in fresh ideas.
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Nice article. Darn it, I should really get to playing Arcanum...
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Sacred_Path
Guest
I like my RPG's to happen on a squad level. That is, grunts spending a good deal of their time moving over the country (and countryside). As such, I don't think it's a great thing to make the player participate in politics. Personally I wouldn't pick my campaign team to include a brawler, a pickpocket and a witch.
As far as the player feeling the effects of politics, hell yeah. I don't think I've ever played an RPG where you were really, tangibly in the middle of a war, although a lot of stories claim this.
As far as the player feeling the effects of politics, hell yeah. I don't think I've ever played an RPG where you were really, tangibly in the middle of a war, although a lot of stories claim this.
R
RPGFool
Guest
That is a great and very thoughtful article. The historical look at politics in RPGs is also interesting with the author explaining how simple and binary things are presented in many games. Good bad and no gray. No outside forces that might somehow unpredictably impact political issues. Worth a read IMO. And I agree with wiretripped that Arcanum is on my current Replay/Play list.
Many thanks for the news post.
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Many thanks for the news post.
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Had the same feeling. I even have it with the thick handbook that came with it ... I don't remember anymore in which box I've stored it, however ...
Journalists (apparently even gaming ones) just can't resist the urge to push their cultural Marxist agenda on everything they touch. It is disgusting.
Bethesda's ESO and EA's dragon age are 2 glaring examples of unwanted LGBT garbage being shoved in the faces of gamers to appease a tiny minority of degenerates.
I say keep politics and political agenda's out of our games unless it is really necessary and relevant to a compelling story.
Bethesda's ESO and EA's dragon age are 2 glaring examples of unwanted LGBT garbage being shoved in the faces of gamers to appease a tiny minority of degenerates.
I say keep politics and political agenda's out of our games unless it is really necessary and relevant to a compelling story.
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Nice article. I might have to replay Arcanum now…I don't have the time for that!
Saying that, most games conform themselves to the player choices and considering the amount of gamer pissed that something X happened in a game without their consent, I'm pretty sure it's on purpose. This is very true of BioWare hardcore fans, which is kinda amusing when the writer listed Dragon Age Origins and how everyone is waiting for the player to do something.
Kinda sad now The Witcher 3 wasn't mentioned, the Novigrad/Redenia/Temeria storyline side quests and the Skellige island ruler had their own resolution if Geralt didn't do them...and Novigrad/Redenia/Temeria had some ending state that require doing and not doing some of that storyline quest.
The stats about Dragon Commanders are rather interesting too. I didn't even know Larian released those.
hehehehe, my favorite ME2 renegade prompt is so that.
Saying that, most games conform themselves to the player choices and considering the amount of gamer pissed that something X happened in a game without their consent, I'm pretty sure it's on purpose. This is very true of BioWare hardcore fans, which is kinda amusing when the writer listed Dragon Age Origins and how everyone is waiting for the player to do something.
Kinda sad now The Witcher 3 wasn't mentioned, the Novigrad/Redenia/Temeria storyline side quests and the Skellige island ruler had their own resolution if Geralt didn't do them...and Novigrad/Redenia/Temeria had some ending state that require doing and not doing some of that storyline quest.
The stats about Dragon Commanders are rather interesting too. I didn't even know Larian released those.
hehehehe, my favorite ME2 renegade prompt is so that.
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S
Sacred_Path
Guest
btw, was there a reason to tackle economy and politics in one swoop? They're both quite complex elements.
I've always wanted an rpg that has the politics of a Babylon 5 or a Game of Thrones. It would inform player motivation and make playthroughs much more interesting. Anyone else want a Babylon 5 rpg?
The article doesn't tackle economy much, it's mostly reference economical repercussion caused by the setting politics and that's mostly in reference to Arcanum.
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D
Deleted User
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I didn't read the article, partly because I am in love with Arcanum despite not playing nearly enough of it yet - and I don't want to spoil anything. 
But, politics in game, I love them. For me, politics started with the Suikoden series, or even some early Final Fantasy games, or possibly even Tactics Ogre, which was an early political-based RPG that I played.
In these games, politics are front and center. I always enjoyed that. I always found it fascinating to learn about some empire fighting another empire, or some king or prince being dispatched midway through the game. Political revolutions, etc. That stuff makes for interesting RPG stories, in my opinion. Especially Tactics Ogre, which was like political done to the nth degree. Great stuff.
But, politics in game, I love them. For me, politics started with the Suikoden series, or even some early Final Fantasy games, or possibly even Tactics Ogre, which was an early political-based RPG that I played.
In these games, politics are front and center. I always enjoyed that. I always found it fascinating to learn about some empire fighting another empire, or some king or prince being dispatched midway through the game. Political revolutions, etc. That stuff makes for interesting RPG stories, in my opinion. Especially Tactics Ogre, which was like political done to the nth degree. Great stuff.
I didn't read the article, partly because I am in love with Arcanum despite not playing nearly enough of it yet - and I don't want to spoil anything.
You don't have to worry as he doesn't spoil anything. Just a couple of pics hinting at what its about generally.
D
Deleted User
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That's enough for me to not look at it. Yes, I'm basically that crazy.
I like going into a game and just absorbing that game and not knowing background info, etc. I like to learn what I will about the game in-game.
Seems like a small issue but it's an important one to me. I really dive into games deeply and 100%. I always have been that way since my childhood.
Avantre
Sentinel
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I'd love one - or one based on the same sort of idea of competing self-interested factions who can go from a foe to a friend (and sometimes back again) over time, and of allies turning out to be foes. Of making deals with a powerful faction that really benefit you, only for you to realise how it's screwed you over or has other unintended consequences ten hours later into the story.
Yeah, I'd love an rpg like that.
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(Troll elco detected.)
Of course we need more politics. Both as political correctness\inclusivity and as wars of factions, subtle conspiracies, betrayals, etc. The goal of most games to battle some ancient resurrected evil (which is evil b\c it's evil) or some Empire (which is evil b\c it's evil) is getting old. Something more complex and realistic is very much desirable. And something unpredictable...
People above wish to have an RPG like Game of Thrones. Arguably what makes GoT so good is that it's unpredictable. Anyone might die, anything at all might happen, it follows no predictable traditional pattern. I'd love for games to have that much complexity, as well.
Of course we need more politics. Both as political correctness\inclusivity and as wars of factions, subtle conspiracies, betrayals, etc. The goal of most games to battle some ancient resurrected evil (which is evil b\c it's evil) or some Empire (which is evil b\c it's evil) is getting old. Something more complex and realistic is very much desirable. And something unpredictable...
People above wish to have an RPG like Game of Thrones. Arguably what makes GoT so good is that it's unpredictable. Anyone might die, anything at all might happen, it follows no predictable traditional pattern. I'd love for games to have that much complexity, as well.