Jeff (& Nicephorus): yes.

But what if somebody doesn't want one of their goals anymore? Can you change goals? How?

Also, as a side issue, I'd think once someone has their goal, the DM must make sure that it's available "somewhere on the map". None of this crap where the DM strings you along until he feels like giving you the goal. Just as in a dungeon, YOU should be able to decide when you're ready to fight the red dragon (or go down a level, etc.), and if you try to take it on too soon, well, maybe you'll get lucky.

But then, when placing the goal "on the map" (which may not be a literal geographical map, more like a "space" of stuff that can happen), you also need a way to relate the XP reward and the difficulty/significance of the goal. This is where it gets especially tricky since "difficulty" is based on so many factors, including the PC's own abilities & resources.

Quote from: SettembriniStill, does anybody play it contest-style?

I have a bit - players competing over how much XP they get in 2E AD&D.  It was annoying enough that I stopped using the individual awards system.

Quote from: Elliot WilenBut what if somebody doesn't want one of their goals anymore? Can you change goals? How?

Maybe you can pick a new goal without fufilling a previous one, but the new goal is worth less than if you had completed your earlier quest?

QuoteAlso, as a side issue, I'd think once someone has their goal, the DM must make sure that it's available "somewhere on the map".

Yeah, that's absolutely critical.

QuoteBut then, when placing the goal "on the map" (which may not be a literal geographical map, more like a "space" of stuff that can happen), you also need a way to relate the XP reward and the difficulty/significance of the goal. This is where it gets especially tricky since "difficulty" is based on so many factors, including the PC's own abilities & resources.

Yeah, it won't be easy to balance against the PC capabilities.

Quote from: Elliot WilenBut what if somebody doesn't want one of their goals anymore? Can you change goals? How?

I'd just allow it during any downtime between adventures/sessions.  "Odoacer has thought about it.  He no longers seeks to become a bunny.  Now, he wishes to remain an orc and find a mate."

Quote from: Elliot WilenAlso, as a side issue, I'd think once someone has their goal, the DM must make sure that it's available "somewhere on the map".

Yea, this method would allow the players to set much of the agenda and the DM would have to take that into their planning- the goodness/badness of that is a matter of taste.

It would still require a bunch of fudging in my opinion - DM ruling that some goals are too long/short term or too hard/easy.  I could imagine a dickwad player trying to pick very easy goals to advance faster.

Quote from: SettembriniStill, does anybody play it contest-style?
Level faster than the rest of the group?
Never ever encountered that way of play.

I've seen it happen, but only in games where individual awards are gained based on character class (AD&D primarily). Of course, AD&D also exasperates the problem by having different XP charts for each class.

Quote from: NicephorusI could imagine a dickwad player trying to pick very easy goals to advance faster.

I don't recommend playing with dickwads.  If one must, I suggest running 1st edition AD&D exactly as written.

Quote from: jrientsI don't recommend playing with dickwads.

Either do I.  But some overall good players have a bit of dickwad in them that gets triggered by specific situations, often if something becomes competitive between players.  
An XP system like this could set them off - someone planning to use it should plan on saying no a fair amount and be ready for the whining.  Hopefully, it wouldn't happen more than once or twice.

I don't see a problem with dickwads if the GM simply makes easy goals worth fewer points, and limits the number of outstanding goals somehow. Not sure how this would fit with the "switching goals" issue but basically you can't pick a new goal until you go up a level or some other milestone.

This would encourage players to pick goals they think they can achieve but which aren't trivial.

I suggest everyone should just play Warhammer.

Surviving with as many fate points (limbs and insanity points) as you begain the session with is the goal.  XP, gold, fame are just those extra things thrown in on the side because other RPG's have them.

QuoteI've seen it happen, but only in games where individual awards are gained based on character class (AD&D primarily). Of course, AD&D also exasperates the problem by having different XP charts for each class.

Yes, but this oughta be the largest RPG experiment in the world. And it turned out badly. So how in Marc Miller`s name could Rieuyan hault D´ancy come to this stoopidmost conclusio irrationalis?

Maybe it's not irrational. Perhaps something in his gaming group's style, or his GMing style, brings out that side of the XP system.

Well, if he was just Andreas R. Bumquvist, like me, who`s reflecting on games because he likes to do so, and who only draws upon some google-fu and a daily dose of pundit and OOTS, I´d say your argument may be valid.
But he was one of the lead people at WotC for third, he should have some more insight and level of reflection than a Bumquvist like me.

A hobby, where fans can outsmart and outthink and are better informed the "industry" is in dire straits.

Luckily he isn`t important anymore.

Quote from: SettembriniBut he was one of the lead people at WotC for third, he should have some more insight and level of reflection than a Bumquvist like me.

He's management. Not the source for informed opinions, anyway. He's basically an enthusiastic player like all of us. And haven't we all got some pretty creepy thoughts, sometimes?

Quote from: SettembriniLuckily he isn`t important anymore.

A-fucking-men to that.

QuoteHe's basically an enthusiastic player like all of us. And haven't we all got some pretty creepy thoughts, sometimes?

Yepp. So he´s excused. He`s a gamer manager, what can you expect?