From: [rg frp announce] at [magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu] Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.announce Subject: [rec.games.frp.*] How to handle Anti-Gaming Attitudes Date: 6 Aug 93 21:14:55 GMT This is a slightly edited version of a very informative post by: [s--s] at [oz.plymouth.edu] (Steffan O'Sullivan) A report on Mike Stackpole's "Satanism & Gaming" seminar at Northeast Wars, Burlington, VT, March 20, 1993. Mike Stackpole is the chair of GAMA's "Industry Watch" committee. (GAMA, for those who don't know, is the GAme Manufacturer's Association, which exists to promote the hobby.) Mike is also the author of many gaming books from many companies, including Mercenaries, Spies & Private Eyes and Battletech novels. As such (and, in fact, long before he was head of the Industry Watch Committee), Mike has been very interested in anti-gaming attitudes that exist in the media and what we, as gamers, can do about it. Much of his talk was background: he told of Pat Pulling and the formation of BADD (Bothered About Dungeons & Dragons), Dr. Radecke, Cruel Doubt, etc., etc. He then went on to describe how's fought this anti-gaming media blitz: research. Yes, the answer is largely plain, simple, non-glamorous research. Mike has researched every single case of so-called "gaming-related" suicides and murder. To this day he still carries on correspondance with two murderers in prison, whose cases BADD touted as having been gaming-influenced. He has written statements from both men that gaming had nothing to do with it: they were sick individuals long before they heard of roleplaying. Likewise, he has testimony concerning every single case the enemies of FRPs have ever touted - that he knows about, that is. He admits there are cases he knows nothing of - more on that in a bit. [snip a section about radio shows] Mike feels the battle is going well. GAMA has only taken an active role in combatting anti-gaming attitudes since 1989, but great strides have been made. Pat Pulling has been discredited, as have some of the other big names who were lambasting gaming. The media is still attracted to the flash of fantasy gaming and a link to crime, but law enforcement has become aware that such links are illusory. Mike says that GAMA has spoken to many gatherings of law enforcement people and come across as responsible businessmen who really don't want their customer base committing suicide, since it would hurt sales. (It's amazing how putting it that way can convince those in power! They understand such arguments.) GAMA has also told law enforcement that they don't want gaming being used as an insanity plea, and will give them facts to combat this defense in any case. This is how you win over your opponents: by joining them in ways they can understand. The talk ended with a "what can you do?" His suggestions, summarized, are as follows: 1) Don't try to "freak the mundanes." If someone says they've heard these games are evil, and can they come watch one, don't put on devil's horns and have fog flowing out of a bowl on a candle-lit table. Just be yourselves and have a good game. If you ever do have a chance to call in to a radio or even TV station that is discussing a case of gaming & crime, please be polite and intelligent. In other words, be a responsible gamer. 2) Tell your local game store to order, from GAMA, some pamphlets they have produced as educational tools. Most game store owners would be glad to have something they can show worried parents. For members of GAMA, these are free. For others, they cost $2/dozen to cover shipping and handling. GAMA address is below. 3) If you hear of any cases where people are claiming gaming is related to a murder, suicide or other crime, let GAMA know right away so they can investigate it. Use the address below, or Mike said you can call him direct - he's listed in the Scottsdale, AZ, phone book. You can also contact Loren Wiseman, vice-chair of the Industry Watch Committee. (Loren is at GDW.) 4) If you hear of an out-of-town "big name gaming expert" coming to condemn RPGs, contact GAMA as soon as possible! Mike says there is a small discretionary fund that will let him fly in to debate such people and discredit them. It's easy for him to discredit such folk because he's been researching these cases since 1985, and has all the facts on his portable computer. It would be harder for you, and you might end up losing a debate, which would not be good. GAMA's address is: GAMA P.O. Box 570 Grinnell, IA 50112 or call (515) 236-6678 Central Time, 10 am to 2 pm. The pamphlet which you (or your game store owner) can buy for $2/dozen is called "Questions & Answers About Role-Playing Games."