cinematic v. horrific, or what i did on my summer vacation

[Molotov]

Howdy All!

sp!ke asked:

> what's up with all these buzz-words floating around game-geekland?  what's
> the difference between horrific and cinematic (i think i know...but just
> wonder what everyone else thinks)?  i think that UA definitely falls closer
> to the cinematic side, having more in common with a game like feng shui
> than with kult.

For me, cinematic revolves around the presentation and the style of campaign.  I
prefer a game style that has more in common with movies (John Woo action or some
thing more gritty, as the individual campaign may call for) - fast moving,
"real-time" action and combat, scene cuts.  Basically, I try and bring players the
feeling that they've been in a movie - with color, visual scenes, etc.  I don't
know that other styles are more "literary", per se; I just try and avoid more
"game' aspected sessions, where players can be more casual and deliberate (esp. in
combat or action scenes).  Just my preference, mind you - to each their own.

The horrific/horror aspect, to me, refers generally more towards the theme and
feeling of the content itself; a darker game that centers around, well, the
horrible, the unknown and dangerous, and so on.  A game or campaign can be both
cinematic in presentation and horror based on content and mood.  Instead of
horror, it could be space opera, four color heroes, etc.

I think UE is a blend of Kult and Feng Shui, in some respects.  The "Kulti-ness"
comes from more of the shared darkness of vision, horror, nasty occult stuff...
UE characters, however, can make a real difference in the long run (unlike CoC,
for instance).  This empowerment of characters (and players) to me is more
representative of Feng Shui.

Mind you, I'm likely playing semantic games, but to me, the two are separate
aspects of a game (or perhaps I should be saying "can be separate").

Thanks!
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House of the Jade Lantern
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 the Holy Man has no merit;
 the Sage has no fame."
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