GM Deathmatch: Stephen Colbert vs. J.J. Abrams

Stephen Colbert’s explanation of the crossguard lightsabre succeeded to make me a fan, where Articles like this one failed. The article in the link mentioned points that could have been addressed with a crossguard free design, or better yet, a differently designed crossguard. It also highlights the problem with classically trained Hollywood writers like J.J. Abrams writing for, or making changes to, sci-fi and fantasy stories.

The one thing the writer of the article is forgetting, is that you need to maintain suspension of disbelief. In sci-fi and fantasy, the audience’s suspension of disbelief is in an EXTREMELY delicate state from the very beginning, and remains that way throughout the entire tale because the core elements ask us to accept crazy things like laser swords and magic.

Hollywood writers like J.J. Abrams tend to make the same mistakes that newbie Game Masters (or Dungeon Masters if you prefer) make:

“Story trumps rules!”

Conversely, newbie GMs and players also make THIS mistake:

“You can’t break the rules for the sake of story!”

Experienced sci-fi and fantasy Role Playing Game enthusiasts tend not to make these errors of generalization. True MASTERS can sit on the players’ side of the table and use this experience… this cleverness… this CREATIVITY, to come to the rescue of the newbie GM, and repair that fragile suspension of disbelief with a good argument that is acceptable within established canon logic, provided that the deviation isn’t game breaking.

What canon really is, is a list of a story universe’s commonly accepted, immutable rules that are adhered to for one purpose: to help maintain suspension of disbelief. Continuity is just ONE of the tools in a universe canon toolbox. How magic, science, and combat work are others.

Hollywood writers like J.J. Abrams remind me of inexperienced GMs. They mean well. They are honestly TRYING their ASSES off to weave a good yarn for their audience to enjoy. Their innocent error is not knowing the rules well enough, and why the rules exist in the first place. This lack of understanding of the rules, and how they relate to maintaining suspension of disbelief, is what makes it harder to find places in the rules to make exceptions to fit in the cool, original elements of their stories. This is what generates Honest Trailers on YouTube, and what causes RPG players around a table to call bullshit in table-flipping fits of rage.

Enter Stephen Colbert, and the MASTERFUL players and GMs around the table…

Experienced and creative fans like Stephen Colbert are an analog for veteran RPG players who have a background in GMing. They can help repair that suspension of disbelief for the newbie GM (or writer in J.J. Abrams’ case) and save the movie/adventure for the group. Stephen Colbert, with a single drawing, changed the way we view what was originally seen as a suspension-of-disbelief-smashing design. This knows an intricate knowledge of the rules of the established campaign setting, experience designing special and/or magic items, the recognition of the importance of suspension of disbelief to the group, and perhaps most importantly… a willingness to help out the new guy.

Score:

Stephen Colbert – 1

J.J. Abrams – 0

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