1000 Arrows: Questions, questions, questions

1000 Arrows: Questions, questions, questions

1000 Arrows: Questions, questions, questions

When this Kickstarter was announced, it started generating questions on the Gauntlet Slack. Concerns about cultural sensitivity, the Korean stretch goal, why try for a historical RPG if you’ve got magic, etc. Considering how these questions could apply to so many games in development by our members, I wanted to bring this out here for a wider discussion. If we’re lucky, Brennan Taylor and James Mendez Hodes , the designers of this game, will chime in with the hows and whys.

Full disclosure: I’ve played 1000 Arrows with Brennan running it as part of Gauntlet Con, and I played in the cyber skin of this at Dexcon with Mendez running it. I’ve also talked with both of them about their designs on other projects and have been impressed with the thought that has gone into their works, and their openness to questions and critique.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/galileogames/thousand-arrows-a-samurai-action-and-drama-ttrpg

78 thoughts on “1000 Arrows: Questions, questions, questions”

  3. And here’s one of the questions from Slack:

    “The Japanese invasions of Korea are important parts of the story of the Sengoku era and were certainly bloody enough to provide plenty of opportunity for drama, but have often not been included in Sengoku era focused games like Nobunaga’s Ambition or Shogun Total War.

    Practicalities aside, this probably has to do with how the conflict is inextricably implicated in the memory of the later Japanese colonization of Korea and Manchuria, and the Japanese invasion of China. I don’t consider the topic off limits for an RPG, but I am wondering how you see PCs fitting into the story of this historical episode, and why you chose to focus on it as a major stretch goal.

    As I’m sure you know, the bad blood between Korea and Japan remains very much alive and part of nationalist politics on both sides. As a resident of Japan I have seen in recent months a noticeable ramp up in discussion of the topic in public conversations, and I see among my students the effect of Abe’s promotion of national chauvinistic ideology in what they discuss and write. Furthermore there has been the recent exchange of provocations between the Japanese and Korean navies, which has directly invoked the historical memory of the 16th century invasions. Specifically, the Korean navy decided to fly the Yi Sun-sin flag in response to the Japanese flying of the flag of the Japanese Imperial Navy.

    I am not offended by your choice to include this historical episode but I am concerned and would like to know more about your intentions given the charged context we find ourselves in.”

  4. And here’s one of the questions from Slack:

    “The Japanese invasions of Korea are important parts of the story of the Sengoku era and were certainly bloody enough to provide plenty of opportunity for drama, but have often not been included in Sengoku era focused games like Nobunaga’s Ambition or Shogun Total War.

    Practicalities aside, this probably has to do with how the conflict is inextricably implicated in the memory of the later Japanese colonization of Korea and Manchuria, and the Japanese invasion of China. I don’t consider the topic off limits for an RPG, but I am wondering how you see PCs fitting into the story of this historical episode, and why you chose to focus on it as a major stretch goal.

    As I’m sure you know, the bad blood between Korea and Japan remains very much alive and part of nationalist politics on both sides. As a resident of Japan I have seen in recent months a noticeable ramp up in discussion of the topic in public conversations, and I see among my students the effect of Abe’s promotion of national chauvinistic ideology in what they discuss and write. Furthermore there has been the recent exchange of provocations between the Japanese and Korean navies, which has directly invoked the historical memory of the 16th century invasions. Specifically, the Korean navy decided to fly the Yi Sun-sin flag in response to the Japanese flying of the flag of the Japanese Imperial Navy.

    I am not offended by your choice to include this historical episode but I am concerned and would like to know more about your intentions given the charged context we find ourselves in.”

  11. Great question! This is definitely some difficult subject matter. One of the reasons we chose this scenario is it allows us to bring in Chinese, Korean, and Mongolian characters, diversifying the game. We are trying to be aware of these issues, and my co-author James Mendez Hodes is well-versed in the history. These events were pretty important in the history of Korea, and doing a Sengoku setting without them might not be doing the history justice. We are trying to handle the content in a sensitive and sensible way that takes into account the Korean perspective as well.

  12. Great question! This is definitely some difficult subject matter. One of the reasons we chose this scenario is it allows us to bring in Chinese, Korean, and Mongolian characters, diversifying the game. We are trying to be aware of these issues, and my co-author James Mendez Hodes is well-versed in the history. These events were pretty important in the history of Korea, and doing a Sengoku setting without them might not be doing the history justice. We are trying to handle the content in a sensitive and sensible way that takes into account the Korean perspective as well.

  13. For everyone listening by posting a period: G+ is flagging about half of those comments as spam, which I then restore. I recommend putting more than just the period.

  14. For everyone listening by posting a period: G+ is flagging about half of those comments as spam, which I then restore. I recommend putting more than just the period.

  23. I saw the thread on Slack where it was being discussed. I don’t think it’s quite right to describe it as “buzz” around the Slack, though there were some interesting questions being considered in that thread. It was also very respectful and curious, to be clear. I am sensitive to the possible perception that this or any game is being torn down in our spaces (which is something we don’t do). Also, this is not being discussed by me specifically, a point I like to make since literally everything the Gauntlet does is projected onto me.

  24. I saw the thread on Slack where it was being discussed. I don’t think it’s quite right to describe it as “buzz” around the Slack, though there were some interesting questions being considered in that thread. It was also very respectful and curious, to be clear. I am sensitive to the possible perception that this or any game is being torn down in our spaces (which is something we don’t do). Also, this is not being discussed by me specifically, a point I like to make since literally everything the Gauntlet does is projected onto me.

  29. Hi friends! These are some great questions and I’m excited to answer them. It will take me a few hours to write a response. I’m writing it on my computer and then I’ll copy or link it here.

  30. Hi friends! These are some great questions and I’m excited to answer them. It will take me a few hours to write a response. I’m writing it on my computer and then I’ll copy or link it here.

  31. Brennan Taylor James Mendez Hodes Did you consult with other specialists on Japanese and Korean history and culture for different perspectives? How does a designer in general (not just for 1000 Arrows) know when enough consulting has been done to minimize the risk of bring labeled culturally insensitive? How does one find such consultants?

  32. Brennan Taylor James Mendez Hodes Did you consult with other specialists on Japanese and Korean history and culture for different perspectives? How does a designer in general (not just for 1000 Arrows) know when enough consulting has been done to minimize the risk of bring labeled culturally insensitive? How does one find such consultants?

  37. Oh nice, it sounds like my questions and concerns were pretty well voiced already. I lived in Korea for 9 years and did a degree there, so my perspective is obviously more skewed to that side of the conflict.

    The Imjin War are largely seen as the beginning of anti-Japanese sentiment. While it’s not nearly as problematic as dealing with, say, the invasion and occupation from 1910 to 1945, it’s still seen as what led to it and when Japan first started to view Korea, as well as parts of China in particular, as belonging to them. Korea largely played the role of a buffer between China and Japan during this time as well as the troops sent in to help from China were often just as brutal to Korean citizens as the Japanese were.

    Because there is still a lot of feelings wrapped up around these conflicts I could see it being tricky to handle, and since there’s magic already in the setting it kind of feels like the historic aspect of it is already being compromised regardless, so I’m wondering if Thousand Arrows is more just inspired by the time period or if you’re planning on using real people and events?

    Is the game meant for trope play where you bounce around the various sides of the conflict to build a proper picture of the time or is it more like it seems from the KS page where you’re playing the invading forces?

  38. Oh nice, it sounds like my questions and concerns were pretty well voiced already. I lived in Korea for 9 years and did a degree there, so my perspective is obviously more skewed to that side of the conflict.

    The Imjin War are largely seen as the beginning of anti-Japanese sentiment. While it’s not nearly as problematic as dealing with, say, the invasion and occupation from 1910 to 1945, it’s still seen as what led to it and when Japan first started to view Korea, as well as parts of China in particular, as belonging to them. Korea largely played the role of a buffer between China and Japan during this time as well as the troops sent in to help from China were often just as brutal to Korean citizens as the Japanese were.

    Because there is still a lot of feelings wrapped up around these conflicts I could see it being tricky to handle, and since there’s magic already in the setting it kind of feels like the historic aspect of it is already being compromised regardless, so I’m wondering if Thousand Arrows is more just inspired by the time period or if you’re planning on using real people and events?

    Is the game meant for trope play where you bounce around the various sides of the conflict to build a proper picture of the time or is it more like it seems from the KS page where you’re playing the invading forces?

  41. Sorry in advance for possible topic flogging and a lack of brevity, but . . .

    The subject of historical grievances with Japan is very fraught in South Korea, and it doesn’t look like that will be improving any time soon. South Korea’s largest naval vessel – the ROKS Dokdo – is named after islands/maritime features disputed with Japan. Also, in a recent fleet review, the Japanese navy refused a request to not use the rising sun flag, and after Japan declined to participate, a South Korean vessel flew the flag of Yi Sun-sin, the admiral hero of the Imjin War. But that’s in South Korea, and while polling shows South Korean youth are even more aggressive about airing historical grievances, I would imagine the target for this would be the diaspora.

    My anecdotal evidence suggests that this is still an issue with the first generation of South Koreans born abroad, but I don’t know of any hard data on that. Some high-profile recent historical dramas and movies from South Korea are set during the Japanese occupation, and they have not thrown a favourable light on it (to put it mildly), which I believe has helped shape diaspora opinions – especially of children who grew up in households with a negative impression of Japan.

    None of this is actually about the Imjin War in particular, but that remains wrapped up in anti-Japanese sentiment. In all honest sincerity, I truly hope this ends up as a win, but as much as I hope the campaign hits that stretch goal, it’s going to be a very narrow row to plow.

    All the best!

    Cites:

    https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/10/13/national/tokyo-protests-south-korean-navys-hoisting-yi-sun-sin-flag-fleet-review-skipped/#.W9nzTWNRfcs

    thechicagocouncil.org – Can Young Japanese and South Koreans Bridge the Gap? | Chicago Council on Global Affairs

    https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/05/29/national/nearly-60-of-south-koreans-view-japan-as-military-threat-joint-survey/#.W9nvGWNRfcs

  42. Sorry in advance for possible topic flogging and a lack of brevity, but . . .

    The subject of historical grievances with Japan is very fraught in South Korea, and it doesn’t look like that will be improving any time soon. South Korea’s largest naval vessel – the ROKS Dokdo – is named after islands/maritime features disputed with Japan. Also, in a recent fleet review, the Japanese navy refused a request to not use the rising sun flag, and after Japan declined to participate, a South Korean vessel flew the flag of Yi Sun-sin, the admiral hero of the Imjin War. But that’s in South Korea, and while polling shows South Korean youth are even more aggressive about airing historical grievances, I would imagine the target for this would be the diaspora.

    My anecdotal evidence suggests that this is still an issue with the first generation of South Koreans born abroad, but I don’t know of any hard data on that. Some high-profile recent historical dramas and movies from South Korea are set during the Japanese occupation, and they have not thrown a favourable light on it (to put it mildly), which I believe has helped shape diaspora opinions – especially of children who grew up in households with a negative impression of Japan.

    None of this is actually about the Imjin War in particular, but that remains wrapped up in anti-Japanese sentiment. In all honest sincerity, I truly hope this ends up as a win, but as much as I hope the campaign hits that stretch goal, it’s going to be a very narrow row to plow.

    All the best!

    Cites:

    https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/10/13/national/tokyo-protests-south-korean-navys-hoisting-yi-sun-sin-flag-fleet-review-skipped/#.W9nzTWNRfcs

    thechicagocouncil.org – Can Young Japanese and South Koreans Bridge the Gap? | Chicago Council on Global Affairs

    https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/05/29/national/nearly-60-of-south-koreans-view-japan-as-military-threat-joint-survey/#.W9nvGWNRfcs

  51. James Mendez Hodes Thanks for giving the questions some thought. I’ll have to take a look at your other post, The Giant Robot of Offense tonight when I get off work.

  52. James Mendez Hodes Thanks for giving the questions some thought. I’ll have to take a look at your other post, The Giant Robot of Offense tonight when I get off work.

  53. Yeah that’s fantastic! For some reason I thought the Imjin War stuff was further along than it seems to be because I saw talk of it being played at a convention recently. Regardless, can’t wait to hear about it and I backed the game for good measure.

  54. Yeah that’s fantastic! For some reason I thought the Imjin War stuff was further along than it seems to be because I saw talk of it being played at a convention recently. Regardless, can’t wait to hear about it and I backed the game for good measure.

  55. James Mendez Hodes Thanks so much for sharing that with us and taking the time to clearly elucidate your thinking and approach. Very solid post and really useful considerations for anyone approaching real-world culture for entertainment purposes.

  56. James Mendez Hodes Thanks so much for sharing that with us and taking the time to clearly elucidate your thinking and approach. Very solid post and really useful considerations for anyone approaching real-world culture for entertainment purposes.

  61. Listening! I’m not well versed in the particular history but the question of how we handle cultural issues in rpgs more widely is super important.

  62. Listening! I’m not well versed in the particular history but the question of how we handle cultural issues in rpgs more widely is super important.

  63. I loved the bit on James’ blog about speaking in modern idiom. It just makes a lot of sense and helps de-exoticize the subject.

    Modern idiom also makes characters a lot more relatable, which is why the dialogue in The Lion in Winter works so well for me.

  64. I loved the bit on James’ blog about speaking in modern idiom. It just makes a lot of sense and helps de-exoticize the subject.

    Modern idiom also makes characters a lot more relatable, which is why the dialogue in The Lion in Winter works so well for me.

  65. Kai Poh So true. When I run a historical game, players often try to adapt how the characters talk. It’s the Shakespeare effect (the “forsooth!” problem). When Shakespeare wrote his plays and they were first performed, the dialogue was raw and colloquial – like how we would talk normally – but we hear it now and it sounds so complex and obscure (thee, thou, thine). I’m always asking players to just talk normal, and if their character would use foul language, use modern foul language – we will process it the same way people at the time would have processed it.

  66. Kai Poh So true. When I run a historical game, players often try to adapt how the characters talk. It’s the Shakespeare effect (the “forsooth!” problem). When Shakespeare wrote his plays and they were first performed, the dialogue was raw and colloquial – like how we would talk normally – but we hear it now and it sounds so complex and obscure (thee, thou, thine). I’m always asking players to just talk normal, and if their character would use foul language, use modern foul language – we will process it the same way people at the time would have processed it.

  71. I want to emphasize AGAIN that this post is not some kind of official Gauntlet position nor does it necessarily reflect the opinion of anyone who is involved in organizing The Gauntlet. This post was entirely Christo’s idea and has nothing to do with myself, Lowell, Kate, Fraser, or anyone else involved in the day to day running of our community.

  72. I want to emphasize AGAIN that this post is not some kind of official Gauntlet position nor does it necessarily reflect the opinion of anyone who is involved in organizing The Gauntlet. This post was entirely Christo’s idea and has nothing to do with myself, Lowell, Kate, Fraser, or anyone else involved in the day to day running of our community.

  75. Kai Poh No, because this thread is being interpreted as The Gauntlet trashing Thousand Arrows. That’s not at all what is happening here, but irresponsible people with an agenda are trying to make it seem that way.

  76. Kai Poh No, because this thread is being interpreted as The Gauntlet trashing Thousand Arrows. That’s not at all what is happening here, but irresponsible people with an agenda are trying to make it seem that way.

  77. With that said, I think I’ll close comments on this thread. I realized belatedly that posting put a lot of pressure on the designers, especially James Mendez Hodes, because, even though I knew the people asking the questions and why they were so interested in the particulars of 1000 Arrows, James and Brennan likely did not. It must have felt intensely uncomfortable suddenly being bombarded by those questions from strangers, and even worse during a Kickstarter!

    James handled it with grace and composure and even wrote some insightful posts on his blog (see links above) to explain his approach, which will likely help other designers tackle challenging culture-related questions in the future.

    Thanks, James, for putting up with my misstep! I sincerely apologize for anything negative that might have snowballed from this. This is one mistake I hope not to repeat.

    Now we just have to get you and Brennan to those brilliant stretch goals!

  78. With that said, I think I’ll close comments on this thread. I realized belatedly that posting put a lot of pressure on the designers, especially James Mendez Hodes, because, even though I knew the people asking the questions and why they were so interested in the particulars of 1000 Arrows, James and Brennan likely did not. It must have felt intensely uncomfortable suddenly being bombarded by those questions from strangers, and even worse during a Kickstarter!

    James handled it with grace and composure and even wrote some insightful posts on his blog (see links above) to explain his approach, which will likely help other designers tackle challenging culture-related questions in the future.

    Thanks, James, for putting up with my misstep! I sincerely apologize for anything negative that might have snowballed from this. This is one mistake I hope not to repeat.

    Now we just have to get you and Brennan to those brilliant stretch goals!

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