I have seen a lot of hostility towards fellow gamers recently. No worse than back in the edition wars, but I had no horse in that race. This hostility has angered me and even made me question why I continue to frequent this board. I seem to be in a very small minority on the Paizo boards and I sometimes wonder if I have a place here.
This is not a long, angry rant where I tell everyone I am leaving. No, this is my attempt to offer my own perspective to those I disagree with. Those of you who already agree with me do not need convincing or maybe will enjoy a fresh take on this.
I was reading a post on Gnome Stew titled 'Why Do You GM'. There is some good stuff in the article, but something caught my interest that was not really all that related to the point the author was trying to make.
I made all the rookie mistakes.
Who hasn't? Show of hands…honestly…how many of you sprang from beneath a rock, fully formed and a perfect table-mate at any RPG?
Thought so. We all made mistakes. We all continue to make mistakes. Even the most heinous. GMNPC, I am looking at you. So what gives any of us the right to throw the first stone? If you had been chastised as ruthlessly as I have seen here when you took your first fumbling steps in gaming, would you have continued? Or would you have turned your back on yet another self-serving, elitist clique that thought they were better than you?
I am not suggesting we just let such offenses go. But I do think we need some restraint and more encouragement to our neophyte brethren. If you want to grow the hobby, do not look to the publishers, look to your own table. Have you shut the door of opportunity in the face of a potential new player or did you welcome them in with open arms and gentle guidance?