Strange reasons why you wouldn't buy RPGs

Sigmund · October 01, 2006, 09:49:46 AM

Quote from: Mr. Analytical

Surely not liking the system is a good reason for not liking or buying a game?

Well, people I often encounter saying this don't seem to have checked out the system. It's usually a d20-hate thing. I can tell ya, I have several d20 based games (DnD, True20, M&M, Spycraft, d20 Modern, CoC, Iron Heroes, Perfect20, Everquest RPG, Wheel of Time) and they are very very different. I mean to the point of truely being idfferent games. To pass on one or all of them simply because they were derived from d20 DnD is silly to me. Maybe I need to get out more.

Sigmund · October 01, 2006, 09:51:03 AM

Quote from: beejazzAn on topic statement.
You're this lurker's friend.

Strangest reason I heard for someone not buying a game is because I wouldn't be running it. I've got mixed feelings on that one.

One can never have too many friends.

That person sounds like someone who never plans to run a game.

Mr. Analytical · October 01, 2006, 09:57:37 AM

Quote from: SigmundWell, people I often encounter saying this don't seem to have checked out the system. It's usually a d20-hate thing. I can tell ya, I have several d20 based games (DnD, True20, M&M, Spycraft, d20 Modern, CoC, Iron Heroes, Perfect20, Everquest RPG, Wheel of Time) and they are very very different. I mean to the point of truely being idfferent games. To pass on one or all of them simply because they were derived from d20 DnD is silly to me. Maybe I need to get out more.

:shrug: I'd pass on any game which used feats or somerthing analogous.

Aos · October 01, 2006, 10:00:58 AM

Quote from: Mr. Analytical:shrug: I'd pass on any game which used feats or somerthing analogous.

Why is that? Just curious.

Sigmund · October 01, 2006, 10:17:07 AM

Quote from: Mr. Analytical:shrug: I'd pass on any game which used feats or somerthing analogous.

That's ok.... more for the rest of us.

Mr. Analytical · October 01, 2006, 10:23:19 AM

Quote from: AosWhy is that? Just curious.

I don't like having to look up stuff during play and I think that type of system is aesthetically untidy.

Aos · October 01, 2006, 10:28:38 AM

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalI don't like having to look up stuff during play and I think that type of system is aesthetically untidy.

well I can totally understand that. As a matter of fact, I pretty much make my players write down the feat description on a seprate sheet just to avoid too much page flipping during actual game play. Really though, the only time looking stuff up seems to be a problem is during combat.

More questions: Given this, how do you feel about skills? What do you mean by "aesthtically untidy"? What system are you using?

Mr. Analytical · October 01, 2006, 10:42:31 AM

I'm currently playing Pendragon but in recent times I've played mostly BRP.

What I mean by aesthetically untidy is that feats and powers based on skills tend to be exceptions to the rules. So you have dozens of pages describing the game's rules and then you have such and such a power that work differently.

Skills are fine as long as they're part of a unified resultion system.

As a GM I don't like feats because I don't like having to read or learn crunch and as a player I don't like them because I find that aspect of character creation quite dull.

Aos · October 01, 2006, 11:15:47 AM

Quote from: Mr. AnalyticalI'm currently playing Pendragon but in recent times I've played mostly BRP.

What I mean by aesthetically untidy is that feats and powers based on skills tend to be exceptions to the rules. So you have dozens of pages describing the game's rules and then you have such and such a power that work differently.

Skills are fine as long as they're part of a unified resultion system.

As a GM I don't like feats because I don't like having to read or learn crunch and as a player I don't like them because I find that aspect of character creation quite dull.

I can actually get behind pretty much all this. As a discaimer I will say that I don't/won't play straight up d20. I think it is a crazy mess. However, and this is not an attempt at conversion, I really like True20. It has very simple mechanics, which in turn leads to simplification of the feats. Also as far as I can tell the feats in True20 DO mesh with the core mechanics fairly well.
Btw, I think BRP is a pretty good system, but I've never played or even laid eyes on Pendragon.

Mr. Analytical · October 01, 2006, 11:25:54 AM

Pendragon's a damn good game.

I bought it when the 4th edition came out AAAAGES ago but didn't do anything with it apart from marvel at how nice the paper smelled. Then I ran about 3 games of it summer before last and enjoyed it but when I started playing it, it was like "Welcome home!" I think it is officially my favourite system.

I just wish Chaosium had realised the game's potential flexibility later and allowed you to play in loads of different settings (like a musketeers one as Balbinus mentionned or feudal Japan or the Napoleonic era).