Quote from: Pierce InverarityHad I ever played GURPS, this one may well have made the list...

Visit Cincy - I can work you into a game session or two if you want to try it.


- Ed C.

/\/\/\/\

I think it would be fun to play a game of GURPS with Koltar...you better take him up on that offer!

Generic Settings= Campaign guides "for any of your favorite RPG systems!", please tie your setting to the mechanics of the game!

Examples of good Setting/Mechanics relationships: Vampire: the Requiem, Exalted 2nd, Shadowrun, TMNT&OS, Unkown Armies, Call of Cthulhu D20.

Examples of bad Setting/Mecanics relationships: Exalted 1, Star Wars d20 1st, GURPS Discworld, D20 Modern/Urban Arcanna.

Hit point bloat.

I don't mind characters becoming tougher as they advance, but when an experienced character has more than ten times the hit points of a neophyte it's a bit much. I vastly prefer systems that permit tactical avoidance of damage as one progresses. A high parry score, specialised defensive manuevers, damage reduction via 'feats' and so on.

"Story".

Canon.

Spreadsheets for character sheets. Bring on the pictures!

So...you prefer a disorganized, irrational mess where nobody can figure out how you arrived at that bonus?

No, I prefer things that are a work of art, rather than a grid of numbers.

Quote from: Rob LangSpreadsheets for character sheets. Bring on the pictures!

Awesome! :haw:

"You can't have any item, ability, or bonus unless you include it on your character sketch."

Rules that have to be obeyed

I prefer the freedom to allow things to go where the players wishes and setting logic lead, not just the things the game designer likes doing!


Vadrus

Quote from: Stuart"You can't have any item, ability, or bonus unless you include it on your character sketch."

Or the StickGuy free RPG on 1KM1KT, where you have to draw damage onto your stick character. The character sheet is a picture of stick man/woman, two numbers and any stuff they have. Classic.

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaBy this, do you mean ready-to-play character templates?

No. I mean players sitting down and 'building' a PC far into into the future, plotting out skills, powers, feats, etc. The very notion of elaborate character concepts and character builds is one the things I hate about the modern RPG scene. It's responsible for a lot of increased complexity, rules creep, and player entitlement that turns me off. I prefer mechanically simple PCs who develop in-game, rather than at the kitchen table of a number-cruncing gamer (or frustrated writer). The sub-game of PC optimization (or backstory generation for the storygamers) has come to supplant and even undermine actual play.

I would remove the idea that game systems must treat participants as if they are deliberately acting in bad faith.

This is an evil which manifests itself in at least two ways that I can identify:

- Systems which assume that the players are all going to be power-gaming jerks, and therefore provide convoluted and minutely-balanced character generations systems in order to make it as difficult as possible for players to create the sort of character the designers Do Not Approve Of. ("You want to play a character who is competent in combat? Clearly, you are a powergaming munchkin!")

- Systems which assume that the GM is out to screw the players over and generally ensure that they have a shitty time, and thus attempt to hamstring the GM. (These attempts are usually unsuccessful, because in any game where there's a "GM" position at all, the GM usually has far more ability to screw with the rules than the players do - if only because players generally only have the stuff that's written on their character sheet to play with, whilst GMs can use the entire world to their advantage.)

If you have a player who is taking the piss, or not getting the point, TALK TO HIM/HER OOC. If you have a GM who is being an ass, TALK TO HIM/HER OOC. OOC problems should be dealt with via OOC methods, not with rules tweaks.

Quote from: HaffrungThe sub-game of PC optimization (or backstory generation for the storygamers) has come to supplant and even undermine actual play.

I, too, poop upon this.

Quote from: Dr Rotwang!I, too, poop upon this.

My race are celebrated poopers! We join your protest.

Bill