Maybe I should make one thing clear:
I am one of those, who "critizised" the original game (and it's makers/inventors/publishers) a few days ago: I said, I'd not buy the idea of Greek and Italy uniting against NATO. And one of the weak points in the written history of T2k - IMHO - is the idea, that WW III begins with a German invasion of Poland. In my personal view this was not to happen.
But:
I take the things, written in the rules book as they are, because I like to play a game (
That Game). It is escapist entertainment. The game does not portray the real world, but it takes elements of the real history and puts them together in a different way, to give the background for a game!
One of the problems with all RPG (=Role Playing Games , not Rocket Propelled Grenades
) that continously write their history forth, is the possible establishment of a paradox. Just like
Olefin mentioned in his opening post, the players may run an adventure in a way, that was not intended. And the whole setup of the modules cannot work the way, they were planned.
The only RPG that I know, that used to do this in different way, was actually Hârnmaster. The makers discribed a world up to a certain point in time. And everything that happened afterwards, was not touched by published materials. (Well, that's what I learned about the first edition of Hârnmaster, and I don't even know, If Columbia changed that, or if there has ever been a second edition. Maybe
Targan can provide some insight here
)
So: From my very personal point of view I can say, that I really like the efforts of several members, to change/add things. Or write their own personal stories, that differ from canon. What I like, can be of great value, because it gives me insights or new ideas, that may change my game. If someone writes something, that does not fit to my perception of the T2k universe - so what? I don't have to use it.
When
Legbreaker says, canon should be a safe point, he's right! But I, for myself, have the chance to stick to canon, or not. (No contradiction here,
Legbreaker. I think, up to now I stick to canon, but if I would not, that would be
my personal affair. Here on the board; canon should be accepted, or people should clearly say: "What follows differs from canon ...")
And if someone asks for input or criticism, we should be able (and adult enough) to give a helping hand. If someone wants to add further detail, that does not interfere with canon, but is not mentioned in canon, it is a useful thing, to discuss, if those alterations could interfere with published material.
And, by the way: We all are here, because we like one of the T2k incarnations. That is, what we have all in common. Maybe we should bear that in mind and keep it friendly.
Hm, I hope, you understand what I'm trying to say. It is a touchy subject and I'm not so convinced of may LNG: English skill. As always: no offense intended!
