Is it necessary to tell readers what a roleplaying game is in the first 5 pages?

ZWEIHÄNDER · July 31, 2012, 05:41:48 PM

Although I know not many people here are novice role-players, I have found that the vast majority of books always seem to include this little tidbit within the first few pages.

Am I crazy, or is it an absolute necessity to spell out what a role-playing game is (even to the uninitiated)? Is it useless page filler?

Alternatively, some RPGs bake it into their description of their game, right up front.

Thoughts and opinions? I'd love to hear about any books you'd recommend that have great introductions to the system and settings.

Ladybird · July 31, 2012, 05:49:32 PM

Quote from: ZWEIHÄNDER;566957Although I know not many people here are novice role-players, I have found that the vast majority of books always seem to include this little tidbit within the first few pages.

Am I crazy, or is it an absolute necessity to spell out what a role-playing game is (even to the uninitiated)? Is it useless page filler?

Alternatively, some RPGs bake it into their description of their game, right up front.

Thoughts and opinions? I'd love to hear about any books you'd recommend that have great introductions to the system and settings.

Potentially, every game is someone's first. Putting in a "what is an RPG" section benefits them, with absolutely no detriment to people who don't need to read that section. It also shows the experienced roleplayer what you, the author, think an RPG is about, which is sometimes useful.

(Anyone who considers having to skip a page of text a hardship, or it's inclusion a fault with the game, isn't worth leaving that page out for.)

Sacrosanct · July 31, 2012, 05:58:07 PM

Quote from: Ladybird;566962Potentially, every game is someone's first. Putting in a "what is an RPG" section benefits them, with absolutely no detriment to people who don't need to read that section. It also shows the experienced roleplayer what you, the author, think an RPG is about, which is sometimes useful.

(Anyone who considers having to skip a page of text a hardship, or it's inclusion a fault with the game, isn't worth leaving that page out for.)

I agree 100%. I've never understood why it's such a turnoff for so many experienced gamers. I mean, some people get downright offended by it. No, I'm not trying to belittle you. This is for the new people. Just skip the page if you want.

flyingmice · July 31, 2012, 06:00:02 PM

I put in a link to Levi Kornelsen's the Fudamentals of Roleplaying pdf and admit bafflement.

-clash

danskmacabre · July 31, 2012, 06:02:56 PM

Usually these "What are RPGs" sections say right at the start, "If you're familiar with the concepts of RPGs, skip this part".

Why didn't you just do that? Like has already been said, EVERY RPG book out there is a potential first time experience for someone to RPGs.

Novastar · July 31, 2012, 06:27:04 PM

Quote from: Ladybird;566962Potentially, every game is someone's first.

This.

My first RPG purchase (WEG Star Wars) was not an intentional entry into role-playing. I'd played Gold Box TSR computer games beforehand, but I picked up the book knowing it was a game, but not really grasping "role-playing" yet.

25 years later, I know a little bit more, but those "What is an RPG?" pages don't bother me any.

soviet · July 31, 2012, 07:05:18 PM

Don't put a 'what is an RPG?' section in your book. Put a 'what is this RPG?' section in your book. That not only helps any random newbies that might stumble across your game, it also helps more experienced gamers understand what the intended purpose of play is, and what makes it different from other games they might be familiar with. If they read it, obviously.

Greentongue · July 31, 2012, 07:16:00 PM

Quote from: soviet;566984Don't put a 'what is an RPG?' section in your book. Put a 'what is this RPG?' section in your book. That not only helps any random newbies that might stumble across your game, it also helps more experienced gamers understand what the intended purpose of play is, and what makes it different from other games they might be familiar with. If they read it, obviously.

THIS!
An "RPG" does not mean the same thing to everyone and it helps to know what the author was expecting when they wrote the game.
=

One Horse Town · July 31, 2012, 07:16:39 PM

The best place for a "What is an RPG" section is on the back cover of the book.

StormBringer · July 31, 2012, 07:58:05 PM

Quote from: soviet;566984Don't put a 'what is an RPG?' section in your book. Put a 'what is this RPG?' section in your book. That not only helps any random newbies that might stumble across your game, it also helps more experienced gamers understand what the intended purpose of play is, and what makes it different from other games they might be familiar with. If they read it, obviously.

I agree. In this day and age, 'role playing games' aren't some weird, unknown gaming type. Explaining everything from scratch is rather unnecessary at this point, but detailing the purpose or general intent of a particular game is a good idea.

Benoist · July 31, 2012, 08:33:27 PM

Quote from: Ladybird;566962Potentially, every game is someone's first. Putting in a "what is an RPG" section benefits them, with absolutely no detriment to people who don't need to read that section. It also shows the experienced roleplayer what you, the author, think an RPG is about, which is sometimes useful.

(Anyone who considers having to skip a page of text a hardship, or it's inclusion a fault with the game, isn't worth leaving that page out for.)

This man speaks the truth.

Novastar · July 31, 2012, 09:43:00 PM

(I could have sworn Ladybird was a woman, Ben...)

flyerfan1991 · July 31, 2012, 09:48:10 PM

Quote from: Ladybird;566962Potentially, every game is someone's first. Putting in a "what is an RPG" section benefits them, with absolutely no detriment to people who don't need to read that section. It also shows the experienced roleplayer what you, the author, think an RPG is about, which is sometimes useful.

(Anyone who considers having to skip a page of text a hardship, or it's inclusion a fault with the game, isn't worth leaving that page out for.)

Where's the damn like button when you need it?

I agree completely.

Anon Adderlan · July 31, 2012, 09:59:15 PM

No.

Do not put a section explaining what your game IS, just clearly explain how to PLAY, and your players will get the idea from that.

Doom · July 31, 2012, 10:11:48 PM

So I'm at the hobby shop the other night, and convince a bunch of M:TGers to play the Pathfinder starter set.

When I say "roll a D6", they look at me like I've sprouted eyestalks (and we're not talking 8 year olds here...one ten year old, the rest old enough to drive, a couple could drink).

They've never played a RPG before, and even if they had some idea of what one was, I don't see how it hurts things to put in a few paragraphs if "what is this game".

Short answer to OP: Yes, absolutely.