It's for the Fun, Right? [Archive] - Wizards Community

It's for the Fun, Right? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sezarious
11-03-07, 10:29 AM I understand the fact that you can never technically win a game of DnD as your character will die eventually, or if they are immortal, you keep playing on and on, but it's for fun right? I mean, really, it's a great experience to create a character out of your head and give them all that detail. To put them in situations only limited by the imagination and to enjoy making them react. So do you guys think that, really, you can win a game of DnD?
runestar
11-03-07, 10:38 AM Depends on what your definition of "win" entails.
Prator_The_Golden
11-03-07, 10:55 AM "Winning" in my book, is killing the BBEG and ending the campaign while having a good time in the process. So, yeah, it's possible to "win," certainly.
Talisman
11-03-07, 12:45 PM If, at the end of the night, I've had fun, then I "win." Doesn't matter whether I'm a player or the GM; whether we defeated Lord Evil or had a TPK. Fun is the only qualifier for me.

Of course, it's frustrating to make no progress and get repeatedly TPK'd...which equals not fun.
CryoSilver
11-03-07, 02:06 PM Games I DM can be "won" in the sense that the PCs eventually complete the campaign and defeat the BBEG, and I run out of stuff to do for that particular campaign.
albinomonkeyking
11-03-07, 04:42 PM Sure. My buddy got the girl, killed his nemesis, and saved the day. He won at pretty much everything he tried to do. At the end of the game he had accomplished pretty much everything he set out to do.
archerpwr
11-03-07, 04:56 PM Depends on what your definition of "win" entails.

mmm pun pun...
Balseraph
11-03-07, 05:30 PM As both a player and as DM I consider "winning" to be coming away from a gaming session with a lot to talk about and a strong memory of a good time.
If, as a DM, I run a game that has my players talking about it during the week (or in one extreme case; years afterward) then I like to think I have "won" :D

As a player? Sometimes surviving a tough battle is enough! :P Seriously though, I consider playing well with others and helping them to have a great time too is a win.
jradd777
11-04-07, 02:15 AM I agree with what most people have said here. I consider my best "win" to actually be somewhat incomplete. My very first character was a ton of fun to play and his story was shaping up to be an epic tale. I'm thinking of converting him into an NPC for a campaign that I'm DMing because he fits into it perfectly. He was so awesome and he wasn't even the best character in the party for damage, or anything, he was just a ton of fun to play.
Sezarious
11-04-07, 04:43 AM That's what i thought. I just get slightly irritated when i've been asked "but how do you win?" Yeah, i know it's all in the experience. I was just curious about why others play. Thanks for the replies so far!:)
Talisman
11-04-07, 05:26 PM I just get slightly irritated when i've been asked "but how do you win?"

How do you "win" a movie or a book? How do you "win" a camping trip or a party with your friends?

Calling D&D a game is misleading, despite being technically true. "Shared storytelling" is, IMHO, more accurate.
Wind of Darkness
11-04-07, 06:02 PM That's what i thought. I just get slightly irritated when i've been asked "but how do you win?" Yeah, i know it's all in the experience. I was just curious about why others play. Thanks for the replies so far!:)

That question irritates me, mostly because when I answer it, people almost invariably look at me like I'm nuts. I guess the concept of getting together with a bunch of friends to do something for the fun of it is lost on some people.

Funny thing is, most times when I've taught new people the game, they haven't asked me that. Usually the ones who ask have no interest in ever playing.
Sezarious
11-04-07, 06:15 PM Funny thing is, most times when I've taught new people the game, they haven't asked me that. Usually the ones who ask have no interest in ever playing.

You're dead right there. It's like they already see it as pointless and simply want to know why on earth you could possibly enjoy such a thing.
Dunsel
11-05-07, 04:39 PM There is no win, only try. ;)

I too have been asked that question from people who don't approve or want to show off to other people they are with.

I just smile and reply, Why don't you play a few games and find out?

I have never had a taker.
Asmodeur
11-05-07, 04:50 PM I understand the fact that you can never technically win a game of DnD as your character will die eventually, or if they are immortal, you keep playing on and on, but it's for fun right? I mean, really, it's a great experience to create a character out of your head and give them all that detail. To put them in situations only limited by the imagination and to enjoy making them react. So do you guys think that, really, you can win a game of DnD?

I am the DM. I win every time my players leave the table after having a good time (oh, and when i get to kill them, ofc :P )
jradd777
11-05-07, 11:15 PM Calling D&D a game is misleading, despite being technically true.

Yeah, that's a good way to put it. Bravo. It really shouldn't be called a "game" per se, especially in the common use of the word. It's an experience, hopefully rich and fun and creative etc.
Arturius1
11-06-07, 12:07 AM There is no win, only try.

Master Yoda would disagree. But, yeah, there are lots of way to win. A PC usually has some goal in mind; get a lot of gold, find a legendary weapon, seek revenge, save the princess/family member. I ran a paladin once who was retired after his daughter was born. He totally won.
DarkChipmunk
11-06-07, 06:37 PM I've had the experience of being asked 'How do you win?' before. And the two people that asked me that went on to become two of the best role-players I've seen in a long time. I'll never forget what I told them: 'You win by having fun.'

Yeah, I went on to explain it from there, but that pretty much sums it up. Its not a competitive game, its a cooperative game. Nowadays I'd probably compare it to playing multi-player co-op mode on one of the more recent video games I never have time to play. The people playing either win or lose as a group, not against each other.
Etarnon
11-10-07, 08:21 PM You win by having Fun.

Solid. Thanks. Latest entry in my recruiting notebook no lie.
Ace_of_time
11-10-07, 08:33 PM We're not going to talk about the secert end boss again?:D Don't think I can handle that again.
Kalai_Eljahn
11-11-07, 02:12 PM You win when you know exactly how to make your character run five miles in sheer terror by saying a single word or phrase. ;)
kelvinaw273
11-11-07, 02:30 PM You can set yourself personal goals and 'win' by achieving them, but that is about it. Indeed, the players I have met who think you can 'win' are usually among the worst I have met ... sad but true.
RobbyPants
11-12-07, 09:49 AM mmm pun pun...
Yeah, I guess it'd be pretty hard to lose D&D at that point. :P
knightwriter
11-12-07, 10:59 AM I have to agree with the members here. It is about coming away from the game having had a great time and made memories.
If you can do that you win. At the end...when it's time to hang up the pc, I usually frame the character sheet if they've been a particularly memorable character.
Aryxbez
11-12-07, 12:08 PM Well I like to think one does not truly win D&D, as it is not a competition. As that is one of the reasons I like this game, it is a teams game.

However I guess one technically wins if their character didn't fail or die at whatever went on that session. The big win being that you sticked with the same character for all the time and ended the campaign with the character.
Ace_of_time
11-12-07, 08:13 PM My players make long term goals for their PCs. Then when they get those goals done they win and we start anew or they lose and we start anew.
LittleKey
11-12-07, 11:45 PM I win when I don't think I wasted my time playing. That's really all you need to do.
Sezarious
11-14-07, 07:42 AM Mmyesss. This is all what i believe too. Thank you everyone!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sezarious 11-03-07, 10:29 AM	I understand the fact that you can never technically win a game of DnD as your character will die eventually, or if they are immortal, you keep playing on and on, but it's for fun right? I mean, really, it's a great experience to create a character out of your head and give them all that detail. To put them in situations only limited by the imagination and to enjoy making them react. So do you guys think that, really, you can win a game of DnD?
runestar 11-03-07, 10:38 AM	Depends on what your definition of "win" entails.
Prator_The_Golden 11-03-07, 10:55 AM	"Winning" in my book, is killing the BBEG and ending the campaign while having a good time in the process. So, yeah, it's possible to "win," certainly.
Talisman 11-03-07, 12:45 PM	If, at the end of the night, I've had fun, then I "win." Doesn't matter whether I'm a player or the GM; whether we defeated Lord Evil or had a TPK. Fun is the only qualifier for me. Of course, it's frustrating to make no progress and get repeatedly TPK'd...which equals not fun.
CryoSilver 11-03-07, 02:06 PM	Games I DM can be "won" in the sense that the PCs eventually complete the campaign and defeat the BBEG, and I run out of stuff to do for that particular campaign.
albinomonkeyking 11-03-07, 04:42 PM	Sure. My buddy got the girl, killed his nemesis, and saved the day. He won at pretty much everything he tried to do. At the end of the game he had accomplished pretty much everything he set out to do.
archerpwr 11-03-07, 04:56 PM	Depends on what your definition of "win" entails. mmm pun pun...
Balseraph 11-03-07, 05:30 PM	As both a player and as DM I consider "winning" to be coming away from a gaming session with a lot to talk about and a strong memory of a good time. If, as a DM, I run a game that has my players talking about it during the week (or in one extreme case; years afterward) then I like to think I have "won" :D As a player? Sometimes surviving a tough battle is enough! :P Seriously though, I consider playing well with others and helping them to have a great time too is a win.
jradd777 11-04-07, 02:15 AM	I agree with what most people have said here. I consider my best "win" to actually be somewhat incomplete. My very first character was a ton of fun to play and his story was shaping up to be an epic tale. I'm thinking of converting him into an NPC for a campaign that I'm DMing because he fits into it perfectly. He was so awesome and he wasn't even the best character in the party for damage, or anything, he was just a ton of fun to play.
Sezarious 11-04-07, 04:43 AM	That's what i thought. I just get slightly irritated when i've been asked "but how do you win?" Yeah, i know it's all in the experience. I was just curious about why others play. Thanks for the replies so far!:)
Talisman 11-04-07, 05:26 PM	I just get slightly irritated when i've been asked "but how do you win?" How do you "win" a movie or a book? How do you "win" a camping trip or a party with your friends? Calling D&D a game is misleading, despite being technically true. "Shared storytelling" is, IMHO, more accurate.
Wind of Darkness 11-04-07, 06:02 PM	That's what i thought. I just get slightly irritated when i've been asked "but how do you win?" Yeah, i know it's all in the experience. I was just curious about why others play. Thanks for the replies so far!:) That question irritates me, mostly because when I answer it, people almost invariably look at me like I'm nuts. I guess the concept of getting together with a bunch of friends to do something for the fun of it is lost on some people. Funny thing is, most times when I've taught new people the game, they haven't asked me that. Usually the ones who ask have no interest in ever playing.
Sezarious 11-04-07, 06:15 PM	Funny thing is, most times when I've taught new people the game, they haven't asked me that. Usually the ones who ask have no interest in ever playing. You're dead right there. It's like they already see it as pointless and simply want to know why on earth you could possibly enjoy such a thing.
Dunsel 11-05-07, 04:39 PM	There is no win, only try. ;) I too have been asked that question from people who don't approve or want to show off to other people they are with. I just smile and reply, Why don't you play a few games and find out? I have never had a taker.
Asmodeur 11-05-07, 04:50 PM	I understand the fact that you can never technically win a game of DnD as your character will die eventually, or if they are immortal, you keep playing on and on, but it's for fun right? I mean, really, it's a great experience to create a character out of your head and give them all that detail. To put them in situations only limited by the imagination and to enjoy making them react. So do you guys think that, really, you can win a game of DnD? I am the DM. I win every time my players leave the table after having a good time (oh, and when i get to kill them, ofc :P )
jradd777 11-05-07, 11:15 PM	Calling D&D a game is misleading, despite being technically true. Yeah, that's a good way to put it. Bravo. It really shouldn't be called a "game" per se, especially in the common use of the word. It's an experience, hopefully rich and fun and creative etc.
Arturius1 11-06-07, 12:07 AM	There is no win, only try. Master Yoda would disagree. But, yeah, there are lots of way to win. A PC usually has some goal in mind; get a lot of gold, find a legendary weapon, seek revenge, save the princess/family member. I ran a paladin once who was retired after his daughter was born. He totally won.
DarkChipmunk 11-06-07, 06:37 PM	I've had the experience of being asked 'How do you win?' before. And the two people that asked me that went on to become two of the best role-players I've seen in a long time. I'll never forget what I told them: 'You win by having fun.' Yeah, I went on to explain it from there, but that pretty much sums it up. Its not a competitive game, its a cooperative game. Nowadays I'd probably compare it to playing multi-player co-op mode on one of the more recent video games I never have time to play. The people playing either win or lose as a group, not against each other.
Etarnon 11-10-07, 08:21 PM	You win by having Fun. Solid. Thanks. Latest entry in my recruiting notebook no lie.
Ace_of_time 11-10-07, 08:33 PM	We're not going to talk about the secert end boss again?:D Don't think I can handle that again.
Kalai_Eljahn 11-11-07, 02:12 PM	You win when you know exactly how to make your character run five miles in sheer terror by saying a single word or phrase. ;)
kelvinaw273 11-11-07, 02:30 PM	You can set yourself personal goals and 'win' by achieving them, but that is about it. Indeed, the players I have met who think you can 'win' are usually among the worst I have met ... sad but true.
RobbyPants 11-12-07, 09:49 AM	mmm pun pun... Yeah, I guess it'd be pretty hard to lose D&D at that point. :P
knightwriter 11-12-07, 10:59 AM	I have to agree with the members here. It is about coming away from the game having had a great time and made memories. If you can do that you win. At the end...when it's time to hang up the pc, I usually frame the character sheet if they've been a particularly memorable character.
Aryxbez 11-12-07, 12:08 PM	Well I like to think one does not truly win D&D, as it is not a competition. As that is one of the reasons I like this game, it is a teams game. However I guess one technically wins if their character didn't fail or die at whatever went on that session. The big win being that you sticked with the same character for all the time and ended the campaign with the character.
Ace_of_time 11-12-07, 08:13 PM	My players make long term goals for their PCs. Then when they get those goals done they win and we start anew or they lose and we start anew.
LittleKey 11-12-07, 11:45 PM	I win when I don't think I wasted my time playing. That's really all you need to do.
Sezarious 11-14-07, 07:42 AM	Mmyesss. This is all what i believe too. Thank you everyone!