Comments on: Alternatives to Failure http://ludusnovus.net/2008/09/10/alternatives-to-failure/ The Art of Interaction Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:39:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Gregory Weir http://ludusnovus.net/2008/09/10/alternatives-to-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-26722 Gregory Weir Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:22:59 +0000 http://ludusnovus.net/?p=36#comment-26722 English doesn't have a real gender-neutral pronoun, and using "he/she" or "the player" every time is awkward. In longer pieces of writing, I try to mix the genders up, but in short pieces I default to using "she." I figure enough folks default to "he" that I'm helping balance things out. It's not that I'm deliberately using it as a countermeasure; I've just chosen to make it my default generic gender in short pieces like the ones on Ludus Novus. In longer pieces, I usually try to balance between "he" and "she." English doesn’t have a real gender-neutral pronoun, and using “he/she” or “the player” every time is awkward. In longer pieces of writing, I try to mix the genders up, but in short pieces I default to using “she.” I figure enough folks default to “he” that I’m helping balance things out. It’s not that I’m deliberately using it as a countermeasure; I’ve just chosen to make it my default generic gender in short pieces like the ones on Ludus Novus. In longer pieces, I usually try to balance between “he” and “she.”

]]> By: Em http://ludusnovus.net/2008/09/10/alternatives-to-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-26715 Em Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:30:54 +0000 http://ludusnovus.net/?p=36#comment-26715 Question: Is there a reason you use the pronoun "she", rather than "he", or even "the player?" It seems that if you do this as a countermeasure to the fact that "he" is used so colloquially, I could contend that using "she" is equally... unequal. Just curious ;) Question: Is there a reason you use the pronoun “she”, rather than “he”, or even “the player?” It seems that if you do this as a countermeasure to the fact that “he” is used so colloquially, I could contend that using “she” is equally… unequal.

Just curious ;)

]]> By: Scott M http://ludusnovus.net/2008/09/10/alternatives-to-failure/comment-page-1/#comment-26263 Scott M Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:09:41 +0000 http://ludusnovus.net/?p=36#comment-26263 Thanks for continuing the discussion. You've made some excellent points about computer games-- I know that's one good reason flesh and blood GMs are still around. Of course, video games are getting better all the time-- you're more able to interact with the environment now and "open sandbox" type games allow you to wander all over the place before getting back to the plot on your own schedule. I hope the trend continues. Thanks for continuing the discussion. You’ve made some excellent points about computer games– I know that’s one good reason flesh and blood GMs are still around. Of course, video games are getting better all the time– you’re more able to interact with the environment now and “open sandbox” type games allow you to wander all over the place before getting back to the plot on your own schedule. I hope the trend continues.

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