I grew up playing darker fantasy games since I was young (my parents weren’t great with game ratings back then) and this style has always been what I enjoy most. It really bothers me when I see players using the excuse of ‘this is a dark setting’ to justify being inappropriate or uncomfortable at the table.
This really gets under my skin because it gives the whole genre a bad reputation. It makes regular players avoid these types of campaigns since they worry about running into problem players. Even worse, it discourages good game masters from running these settings because they don’t want others to think they’re encouraging bad behavior. Has anyone else noticed this pattern ruining darker themed games?
Totally feel you on this. I’m a fan of games like Warhammer and Call of Cthulhu too. It’s frustrating when some players think dark themes mean they can do whatever they want. A good GM knows how to manage horror and maturity without crossing the line.
Dark fantasy works best when everyone’s comfortable and locked into the story. Problem players just destroy the atmosphere that makes these games compelling.
I feel you on this one. I’ve seen campaigns go off the rails because some players think grimdark means they can get away with anything. It’s one thing to dive into tough themes, but it should be about storytelling and respect, not just shock value. It’s frustrating when those attitudes spoil the fun for everyone else who loves this genre.
Same here, it’s so frustrating. The worst is when they act like you’re being uptight for calling it out. There’s a massive difference between exploring mature themes and just being creepy at the table. Good grimdark is about consequences and moral complexity - not an excuse to be gross.