Madness is an amazing concept in my opinion, magic is something that may not be natural to the mice and for them to miscast it, it can really screw up their mental state.
As I've said in other comments and on the video, my problem isn't with madness (as a concept), but that it's not supported in the book. Without proper mechanics, it's too easy for harmful tropes being perpetuated.
Maybe it should be more like a collapse into a fugue state of complete apathy and ennui, i am big mouse guard fan and that is very similar concept but quite dark
You state that madness feels out of place as this is not a Cthulhu setting, except that it basically is. Humans are the Great Old Ones. This also explains why there are no rules for them. Bunnies & Burrows takes a similar tack.
20/01/2021 : Madness & Mausritter I've had some comments pop up and disappear about the 'madness' mechanic in the Mausritter, so I wanted to clarify :) Mental health can and should be explored in games. However, in Mausritter the 'madness' mechanic seems out of place aesthetically, isn't forewarned, and isn't substantially supported in the mechanics. There isn't even a definition of it in the physical book-it's just 'a bad condition'. As other Conditions (i.e. being hurt) restrict a character's agency (by taking up inventory slots), the RAW draw a parallel with 'madness' being purely negative, and also something that can be cured or removed. Many folx with disabilities and mental health issues (myself included) have been called mad, so it's not fun seeing it pop up unexpectedly in a game, and be equated with having a broken bone. Often, what is culturally perceived as madness is instead someone expressing that they need help, that their needs aren't being met. If I'm going to play a game with these themes, I want to play one that takes it seriously and gives it the space to be explored well in the narrative. When I'm playing a cute game about mice raiding cellars for cheese and shiny necklaces, I don't expect a common consequence to failure to be 'going mad'. This isn't the end of the world. I'm still going to play Mausritter (and enjoy it!). However, for people learning from and critically digest these videos, it's important to continue raising these issues and meeting them with empathy, not derision. Last but not least, Isaac watched my review and said he agreed with my points! :) 17/01/2021: Updates! Isaac changed the term 'Madness' to 'Drained' in an updated rerelease of the book. It's very encouraging to see creators be critical of their own work, and listen to feedback!
Fantastic overview! Had an older pdf on my computer for a long time and only recently revisited it in preparation for a DND game. I like combining ideas from other RPGs in my campaigns but I’d like to just run this system as is because it’s so clever. Definitely also feel madness is totally out of place as you mentioned. Wonderful system otherwise.
Madness is an amazing concept in my opinion, magic is something that may not be natural to the mice and for them to miscast it, it can really screw up their mental state.
As I've said in other comments and on the video, my problem isn't with madness (as a concept), but that it's not supported in the book. Without proper mechanics, it's too easy for harmful tropes being perpetuated.
Maybe it should be more like a collapse into a fugue state of complete apathy and ennui, i am big mouse guard fan and that is very similar concept but quite dark
You state that madness feels out of place as this is not a Cthulhu setting, except that it basically is. Humans are the Great Old Ones. This also explains why there are no rules for them. Bunnies & Burrows takes a similar tack.
"Mad" got changed to "Drained" in the recent update.
I just saw! How great is that?
@@DungeonsOnADime It's pretty dumb.
Well edited and it was well filmed with no stutters or stops when your speaking.
20/01/2021 : Madness & Mausritter
I've had some comments pop up and disappear about the 'madness' mechanic in the Mausritter, so I wanted to clarify :)
Mental health can and should be explored in games. However, in Mausritter the 'madness' mechanic seems out of place aesthetically, isn't forewarned, and isn't substantially supported in the mechanics. There isn't even a definition of it in the physical book-it's just 'a bad condition'. As other Conditions (i.e. being hurt) restrict a character's agency (by taking up inventory slots), the RAW draw a parallel with 'madness' being purely negative, and also something that can be cured or removed.
Many folx with disabilities and mental health issues (myself included) have been called mad, so it's not fun seeing it pop up unexpectedly in a game, and be equated with having a broken bone.
Often, what is culturally perceived as madness is instead someone expressing that they need help, that their needs aren't being met. If I'm going to play a game with these themes, I want to play one that takes it seriously and gives it the space to be explored well in the narrative. When I'm playing a cute game about mice raiding cellars for cheese and shiny necklaces, I don't expect a common consequence to failure to be 'going mad'.
This isn't the end of the world. I'm still going to play Mausritter (and enjoy it!). However, for people learning from and critically digest these videos, it's important to continue raising these issues and meeting them with empathy, not derision. Last but not least, Isaac watched my review and said he agreed with my points! :)
17/01/2021: Updates!
Isaac changed the term 'Madness' to 'Drained' in an updated rerelease of the book. It's very encouraging to see creators be critical of their own work, and listen to feedback!
I’m drained after work and this term is triggering when I’m trying to recharge.
This is a really nice video! Gave me a really good idea of what to expect from Mausritter!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the content. I just bought the boxset. I really enjoyed how the video way laid out. I will be back for more content!
Well edited and it was well filmed with no stutters or stop when your speaking.
Great stuff. Keep it up!
Appreciate it!
Not a fan of the sensitivities here around madness ugh. Tiresome stuff
12:00 just call it something else lol
Great review and I like the review format (critical pass, design pass, etc) quite a bit!
I'm so glad! There's a few more indie books I have I want to work through, this is pretty educational for me and I hope for other people too 😁
Brian??? Edging in on my turf??????
I'm so sorry 😭 in the future I only want to do collabs /with/ permission 😭
Fantastic overview! Had an older pdf on my computer for a long time and only recently revisited it in preparation for a DND game. I like combining ideas from other RPGs in my campaigns but I’d like to just run this system as is because it’s so clever. Definitely also feel madness is totally out of place as you mentioned. Wonderful system otherwise.