Role-playing Game System | Through Gamer Goggles

As I taught a college level Ethics course for a local university I began to think about the interactions and relationships between the major ethical theories/viewpoints and the alignment systems of the role-playing games we all enjoy. I like alignment systems, they help define a character. However, these systems can be found to be lacking as is evidenced by the number of arguments generated between players and game masters concerning a character’s actions. These debates can be great. Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good argument. But often such “alignment debates” degenerate into shouting matches without any resolution (other than the GM saying “do that and I’ll kill your character”).

Therefore I am sharing with you a very brief introduction to the major ethical theories. Consider this a supplement to the alignment systems. Once you understand the theories, I’d like you to try and see if and how they apply to your characters. You could even reflect it on your character
sheet. For example, in D&D it could read: “Alignment: Lawful Good (Utilitarian),” or “Alignment: Chaotic Neutral (Relativist).”

Each of the following ethical theories attempts to define that which is “good” by creating a philosophical/ethical system that can be applied to various situations. To complicate matters further, one can mix all of this with any number of religious views. In fact, many have grow out of, or in reaction to, a particular religious viewpoint. Nonetheless, I hope that the following helps inform your character generation process, giving you a
deeper background, and informing your choices at the gaming table.

With Games Workshop on the price hike rampage a few of our players are looking for other options for their fantasy miniatures fix. While I have known about Mantic for almost a year now I have not entertained the thought of their product line. We always felt that our money would be better spent on items we knew would move. But, with some of the recent events in the game industry our players are diligently trying to make the shift from spending more money on less product to spending less money on more product. So I was asked to look that the rules.

Here is what I found before play testing.

The rules are pretty darn good.

They are simple.

Here is what I like about the game. The magic system is figured right into the cost of the character. The winner of combat is determined by a nerve (command/morale in other game systems) check. It has a fast pace – 2000 point game should take about an hour to play. The models look good and are inexpensive.

Here is where I have reservations about the game. While the rules are simple and scale well, if you plan on running tournaments you might need to interpret the rules for your players. There are no casualties in combat; I just can’t figure out if I like this or not.

Here is what I do not like about the game. Without play testing the game the only thing I dislike is the fact that it does not use alternate activations.

There is one more thing that Mantic is doing right that you should know about – they are making a sci fi game.

Ethics and RPG’s – Part 1: An Overview of the Major Ethical Theories in Western Civilization

Mantic Games Kings of War Review