I am curious how much of this is really about intellectual property and not some feeling of superiority or a special connection with the author of A Song of Ice and Fire series.
Ever since Game of Bones opened up or other people have even considered Westerosi-themed games, whether it be on Reddit, PbEm, whatever, this proof of authenticity has been taken to jihadi proportions (banning IPs, calling people "cunts"and trolls on Hippoi Athanatoi, etc.) Sure, a lot of us WORAites have had our fun...but who gives a dry fuck, Bal? You and Nymeria are profiting off of GRRM's gravy train (for as long as that lasts). That's great. Some of us just want to play a damn game.
It has almost become religious. It reminds me of Nichiren Buddhist sects in Japan getting into bitch fights over which Dai Gohonzon (a scroll with the Heart Sutra written on it in Nichiren's caligraphy) is authentic.
In the end, does it really matter?
Back when I was seven, my friends and I were fascinated with the film The Last Starfighter (this gives you a hint at my age). We liked that shitty film so much that we used to pretend we were starfighters fighting for the Star League against to Kodan Armada.
MU*ing is essentially this. It is adult "pretendy time" (I won't go into the gray areas of fanfiction as I know your bride is probably reading this over your shoulder and I don't want to trigger her).
I will admit, Game of Bones or any of these Reddit groups don't have the detail BoD does. It doesn't even have as near of the playerbase that you all do (though to be honest, your legion of features inflates the numbers so I would think that you all are on equal footing for the moment)
BoD has a really excellent setting and you guys should be commended for putting so much work into it.
But if you guys were a little less draconian you probably wouldn't have the competition to begin with.
) and feel what we feel. When your blood is full of testosterone sometimes all you want to do is fuck, fight, or....build a rocket and go to the Mars.