Roguelike Radio Episode 42: Elitism
Jul 28, 2012
The podcast explores the issue of elitism in the roguelike community and its wider implications. They discuss the definitions of a roguelike game and how rigid ideas can lead to exclusivity. They also talk about online elitism and accusations of elitism in podcast episodes. The speakers address the impact of negative opinions on listeners' favorite games and the time investment and challenges of mastering roguelike games. They also touch on complexity and user-friendly interfaces, as well as the futility of internet arguments and debates on subgenres.
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Transcript
Episode notes
Small Communities Become Protective
- Small communities often become protective and create 'us vs them' attitudes that look like elitism.
- This stems from fear that newcomers will change or 'water down' what the community values.
Definitions Fuel Toothless Arguments
- Roguelike elitism often shows up as pedantic debates over definitions rather than meaningful discussion.
- Obsessing about strict definitions adds little and can block appreciation of new ideas.
Genre Labels Hide Gameplay Value
- Label fights ("is it a roguelike?") overshadow deeper discussion of gameplay and mechanics.
- Calling hybrids 'roguelike-ish' or 'roguelike shooter' is a practical way to communicate features.