D&D 5E What's fun?

[Charlaquin]

Now, first off, this is a video game framework/theory so there will be some bits that don't line up perfectly, like the listed Sensation above. Imagine the 5E equivalent to that, which would be something like the DM's narration of the setting.

Nah, sensation in an RPG is found in the tactile elements. The feel of the dice in your hand, the sound of them clattering on the table, the spectacle of a beautifully painted miniature or piece of 3d terrain, the visceral thrill of being given a handmade copy of an in-game map… Players for whom sensation is a significant part of their enjoyment of the game tend to play in-person only, and they often collect fancy dice and take great care in choosing the perfect miniature to represent their character (even if the group plays TotM). DMs for whom sensation is a significant part of their enjoyment of the game likewise prefer in-person games and are likely to make heavy use of maps, minis, and handouts.

 

[Charlaquin]

Can you add "Verisimilitude" or "Believability"? Because that would be one of my three choices. Thanks!

That’s covered under fantasy and narrative under this model.

 

[Gradine]

By this framework, verisimilitude would be considered a dynamic, not an aesthetic. Basically, "verisimilitude" is one way in which a game delivers its aesthetics of fun. In this case, it's usually most closely linked to Fantasy, though there are elements of plenty of other aesthetics involved as well. That's why it's not on the list. Verisimilitude isn't a "type" of fun so much as it is a process through which fun is delivered.

My three Narrative, Expression, and Fellowship, btw

 

[Xamnam]

Neither feels right to me to represent something like "Believability".

Fantasy is by its very nature unbelievable, and Discovery is more about learning about the world than the world being convincing.

I like my games to be believable--to make sense--for logic and reason to make the fantasy understandable--so you could actually imagine it happening.

My logic was that the appeal of Fantasy, of a fantasy world, loses its luster if it is inconsistent, and more facially the product of fiction, or ruled by impulses other than "Would this make enough sense if it exists to exist?" But, I understand if that doesn't hold up, or convey the same thing to you.

 

[Charlaquin]

I look side-eye at:

Submission - There HAS to have been a better word to have used here. HAS TO.

Abnegation is the term a lot of video game devs have taken to using here.

 

[Charlaquin]

Mispost

 

[J.Quondam]

Fantasy
Narrative
Challenge

I voted Challenge in the last slot, but that was nearly a toss-up with Expression.

 

[Gradine]

I have to say, i would not have guessed Narrative and Expression would be as high and low as they are, respectively. I would be much less surprised if their vote totals were switched

 

[Charlaquin]

It’s very difficult for me to pick just 3 because the reason I enjoy RPGs so much is that they deliver all of the above, except maybe submission/abnegation. I guess fantasy is probably the most significant factor for me, and in a D&D context specifically, discovery is probably second. Third could go to challenge or narrative, but the hair I’ll split to make a decision is that I prefer emergent narratives from D&D, which I think challenge is an essential part of creating, whereas I tend to have less fun with more crafted narrative campaigns. So challenge will be third.

 

[Charlaquin]

I have to say, i would not have guessed Narrative and Expression would be as high and low as they are, respectively. I would be much less surprised if their vote totals were switched

ENWorld’s users skew on the older side, and expression isn’t really a significant factor to the D&D old guard.