Text in a vlog? Sure, why not. Let's go with some Verdana font. Some computers may have issue using it, but whatever. I just wanted to say something here on the subject of which RPG systems are my favorite.
I general, I pick (or I should say, I find) a new RPG system once every ten years that interests me and that I'll actually buy. (I found two in one year, though! Amazing!! That will probably never happen again.) The key to my liking of an RPG is not the setting of the game, but the system. The die mechanics of the game. Well, sometimes the XP and leveling up system don't bother me if written minimally. I simple loathe XP and leveling up in games.
But if there are no classes used in a game system, that will make up for the waste of pages used to explain how XP and leveling up work in a game, which I'll ignore anyway in the book. What I do like to see in a good RPG system are skills. Skill-based games are the way to go in 2nd-Gen RPGs. The three RPGs that I'll be listing below as favorites of mine are all skill-based, as well as 2nd-Gen systems.
The reason why I like 2nd-Gen a lot is not only because of the skill-based system, but because the skills are unified. Each skill does not have its own mini-game such as the ones listed in 1st-Gen RPGs, where using each skill requires opening the rulebook to see how the skill works and how it can be used. Because each skill is different, each one should have a different rule written for it, obviously. That was Gygax's approach to his 1st-Gen game design he used in his adventure games.
What little role-play there was at the table to begin with was halted every time a player asked the DM what their character could do. Only the DM could read and explain how a skill worked to players. Some DMs would just skip the skills section of the books and have players make save rolls for everything. Watered-down 1st-Gen games are the worst to play in.
Since I come from a role-play perspective, meaning that role-play comes first during a game session, I want nothing to do with a game system that halts role-play. Game systems should never get in the way of role-playing at the table. Die rolls should be made quick and also resolved quick with no more than a hiccup during a game. Die rolls involve rolling equal to or over target numbers that are difficulty levels. This is the beauty of 2nd-Gen RPGs.
And since there are people here that prefer to read than watch videos, I can always post another page answering what was said above just now.
And here are my favorite RPG systems:
Mongoose Traveller Second Edition 2016
Total Party Skills 2022
CORE Micro v3.0 2022
Well, thank you for the blog entry! Wonder what I'm missing out on by not liking videos? ;-) IAC, I could nit-pick over some of your statements but that's not a dialogue so I'll refrain. But I'm happy to share my general thoughts. I don't buy too many games either, and most of them are older (although occasionally a friend will talk me into trying something new that they like). Generally I push back against learning new systems because they only have to handle fate, randomness and what role-play does not. Once you've got something you like, I see little reason to keep buying more. As I say, how many cheese slicers does one household need? While I have no problem with games without leveling, I also have no problem if leveling is a big deal. It's a different gaming experience and I like both, but I don't expect everyone to feel the same way. I agree that "complicated" rules are an impediment, although I acknowledge that others disagree; to each their own. If I really like a game but want it simpler, I streamline it somewhat and provide a house-rules document to my players. As for role-play, sure that's the genre, but if there isn't some sort of rules structure then (from my perspective anyway) you're just doing group storytelling with improv theater. Doesn't seem like a "game" to me at all. I like an even mix of RP and die-rolling. I don't like the "optimal build" crap or "gaming the system" to maximum advantage though. Rules should allow for real danger to characters, while enabling them to have a chance of emulating that particular genre of fiction. Spaceman Spiff or Conan, I want to feel some level of competence in-game. (Allowing for gritty low fantasy or whatever, where expectations are lower.) Tell you what I don't like -- "difficulty levels," and I don't have a problem with different skills being handled differently (IE not a "unified system"), and I have no problem with tables or charts, or rules that are not available to players. :-) Now all that being said, here are my very favorite games:
ReplyDelete1e AD&D
Classic Traveller (81)
2e Runequest
Pre-7e Call of Cthulhu
1e Warhammer Fantasy RP