Changing nomenclature to confuse everyone

[Rob Lang]

While writing a Guide to Writing an RPG for the blog, I realised that I have used nomenclature used no-where else in the world. The most difference is that I call Attributes Statistics. There's no need for me to call them Statistics. I only called them that because that was the first word that jumped to mind! So, I am going to rename Statistics to Attributes throughout the Icar ruleset. This is mainly to help new players get to grips with the game. No mechanic change will be required, I'm just trying to bring Icar back into line with standard nomenclature.

[misterecho]

I think it's less confusing, surely stats refer to the overall numbers for char attributes, skills, health etc

[kumakami]

To be honest I think its more a setting question. If stats sound better for your games style then use it...if not generic Attributes works fine.

[misterecho]

exactly mr kumakami, it's not really that important what they're called.

[Kinslayer]

This works not just on a metagame level, but a setting one as well.

Take a certain playable race, for example. They are short, stout, hairy, good with tools, lusts for gold, live in mountains &/or underground, and are noted for their stubbornness as much as their drunkenness. Since this isn't set in modern Europe, they must be Dwarves. Calling them 'Zingbongers' isn't going to change the fact that they are Dwarves (or Dwarfs, if you prefer). No matter how often you refer to them as 'Zinbongers' in your game text, to your players they will always be Dwarves.

[Thought]

I actually prefer stats over attributes and always call the latter the former when discussion games. Perhaps it is a regional difference?

Regarding similar topics to alternative nomenclature and its use, I'd recommend taking a look at the Turkey City Lexicon. It is a document created to address common issues in fiction stories, not pen&paper RPGs, but many of the concepts are transferable, such as in this case, "Calling a Rabbit a Smeerp," which is effectively what Kinslayer was pointing out. Or Squid on the Mantlepeice, which acn be a useful topic to discuss in a GM section. Or The Edge of Ideas, which can be a useful concept for feather-weight Sci-Fi RPGs.

Here, have a link: http://www.sfwa.org/2009/06/turkey-city ... workshops/

Just an attributed,

Thought

[randolph]

well we've always used statistics and atributes interchangeably, BRP uses "charecteristcs" 4-C "traits"
and so on. make the change if it makes sense to you we'll get by just fine. after all it's a pretty minor
blip, especialy with the handful of other localisims. my favorite was the chareters weights in stones instead of pounds or kilograms, the looks on my players faces were priceless!

[Rob Lang]

Thanks for the input chaps, I am glad my original book wasn't too far off. I came by this idea having read loads of free RPGs and thinking I was the only person who called them stats. I checked for confirmation and although there isn't any right or wrong answer, I'd rather go with consensus.

My player group will always call them stats.

[Byrn]

[WittyDroog]

I don't think there's any particular rule set in stone for what you should call thiongs. Attributes and Stats are totally interchangable unless you specifically have one mechanic that is an Attribute and one that is a Stat. In my Ghoulwoood game your Attributes is called your "Hand", you just need to define it early on.

Hell look at Burning Wheel, it's get a different name for every convential RPG mechanic. A failed dice roll is called a "Traitor", for example.