Remaining write-in responses for the definition of the R in OSR, presented in alphabetic order without editing:
- “Old School Runescape”
- A number of the answers above (ie it has multiple meanings)
- All of the above
- All of the above and also Resurrection and Regurgitation, etc… Revival is the most common one I’ve actually heard but the fact that the meaning of the R isn’t even fixed properly kind of adds to my whole perception of OSR being something not so easily defined.
- all of the above and others too
- All of the above. The osr has several complementary definitions that mix with each other.
- Also Renaissance [respondent selected Rules category]
- Any of Renaissance, Revival, or Rules.
- Both Revolution and Renaissance
- Different things in deifferent contexts
- Doesn’t matter.
- Don’t particularly care, every time I’m asked I give a list of like three or four things and say it depends on who you ask.
- Either Renaissance or Revival
- Everything and nothing
- Fuck you, we won
- I accept that it’s ambiguous; Renaissance of Revival mostly, however.
- I could not decide between Revival and Renaissance, so I will answer either or both of those options.
- I don’t know
- I have heard both Revival and Renaissance used credibly.
- I have no idea what OSR stands for
- I have started using revival, mostly because I like the word better than renaissance. [respondent selected Revival category]
- I know all the stuff people insists it stands for, and I initially always fill it in with “renaissance,” but I find that so pretentious. I prefer to think of it as just standing for roleplaying.
- I learned it initially as revival, but I common see it used as renaissance and revolution too
- I noticed when this question was asked that I associate it both with Revival and Renaissance
- I will often use Renaissance interchangeably with Revolution and Revival [respondent selected the Renaissance category]
- it can be Renaissance for some and Revival for others.
- It isn’t a set name. You should have an additive multiple choice.
- It means Reinassance, Revival and revolution
- Multiple
- Renaissance My mind always jumps to “Renaissance” but I increasingly dig “Ruckus” instead. [respondent selected the Renaissance category]
- R is for the R in OSR
- Racoons [respondent selected the Renaissance category]
- Ransacking
- Ranting about how the old-school style is so much better and liberating and accepting, as long as you fit into a very narrow set of concepts and don’t dare upset Zak.
- Rapidly, as in Obtuse Slain Rapidly
- Rebellion
- recombobulation
- Rectum
- Reformation
- Reformatting
- Reich
- Renaissance or Revival
- Research
- Retards
- Revanchist
- Revenge
- Renaissance Revival also fits
- Revival and Renaissance I feel i’ve seen both used and interchangeably , though I feel renaissance is more common
- Revival or Renaissance
- Revival, Revolution and Renaissance interchangably
- RPG
- RPG
- RPG
- RPGs
- Rules, Revival or Reference. It is an ambiguous term of no specific use.
- Rulings not rules
- Seems to be commonly revival or renaissance interchangeably
- The ‘R’ works fine as a representation for ‘Revival’ as well IMO. [respondent selected the Renaissance category]
- The “R” is largely meaningless, now. [respondent selected the Renaissance category]
- The R stands for whatever you want it to stand for.
- There is no intrinsic meaning. There are lots of various meanings, which is part of the appeal.
- these all look like equally empty signifiers in this context. also i have no idea if i “participate” or if i’ve bought an “OSR” product. extensive collection of pre-1980 gaming thoughts and products though. maybe “old school” but the “r” stands for “redundant!”
- whatever the fuck people decide it is
- whatever you want
- Wildcard, choice of the person speeaking the title “OSR.”
See What about the R? for context.