System and Genre

Balbinus · November 29, 2006, 08:19:51 AM

Quote from: SettembriniIt´s all about the work involved.

Pretty much, sometimes it's easier to adapt a game you already have, sometimes it's easier to just use a new game for a particular campaign.

You can run anything with pretty much anything, but some combinations will take more work than others.

Garry G · November 29, 2006, 09:13:25 AM

Generally I like to stick to a couple of fairly generic systems but there are some genre specific ones's that do it so right it just seems silly to run a game in that genre without that system.

In other words it depends.

HinterWelt · November 29, 2006, 10:34:52 AM

As has been stated, but can stand repeating, it is less about genre and more about what elements you want from the system. For instance, if you enjoy detailed combat then you play a system with individual combat maneuvers and involved wound levels. You should be able to play anything from sci-fi to mecha hentai super goo porn. The system may not give you the feel you want for the mecha game (you might want a system more oriented on fast combat and detailed sexual encounters) but it would still work for the genre.

That said, you can break a system so that it is non-portable. It is tough but it can be done. I consider such systems cripple ware of the RPG world.

Bill

Blackleaf · November 29, 2006, 11:11:39 AM

As a specific example -- some systems handle hand-to-hand combat better, while others handle ranged combat better. And by better, I mean the right balance of crunch to speed for the genre and style of game you want to play.

Warthur · November 30, 2006, 11:26:47 AM

And to be even more specific - system has a huge impact, even within a particular genre. Wushuand Weapons of the Gods both are designed to emulate the Wuxia genre, but you'd never mistake one for the other in a million years.

HinterWelt · November 30, 2006, 12:40:27 PM

Quote from: StuartAs a specific example -- some systems handle hand-to-hand combat better, while others handle ranged combat better. And by better, I mean the right balance of crunch to speed for the genre and style of game you want to play.

Ah, but this is subjective. "Better" is always subjective. What I think you mean is some systems handle Ranged combat more to your liking (emphasizing those elements you describe) while not handling unarmed combat with the same emphasis.

To me, you could play a manga game with d20. It would have a different feel but you could still portray a world where monks flew through the air (Monk Flying feat) or broke buildings in half (Big Badda Punch). However, it would not have the same elements as something like WW. There, it would most likely be Disciplines and spending Chi (Blood) to accomplish similar actions.

I often wonder if people confuse setting elements with system elements.

Bill

James McMurray · November 30, 2006, 12:59:21 PM

Quote from: HinterWeltAh, but this is subjective. "Better" is always subjective.

Since he said that in his post, I doubt he needs a reminder.

HinterWelt · November 30, 2006, 01:15:07 PM

Quote from: James McMurraySince he said that in his post, I doubt he needs a reminder.

True, but it is important to remember when people are making there arguments based on the concept of "better". Also, I fully endorse this as a means of picking your system for your favorite genre. I just was hoping to make my opinion of system to genre determination known. In short, there elements to a system, pick the one that fits what you like and that is the "system best suited to the genre".

Bill

Mcrow · November 30, 2006, 01:25:32 PM

Quote from: HinterWeltI often wonder if people confuse setting elements with system elements.

Bill

That is kinda what I was getting. I think that there are very few settings that require mechanics specifically for one element in the setting. It seems to me that so many designers try to put some extra fiddley bits in there to amke their game "different" and for the most part all they accomplish is "different". Some times they point @ the genre of the game and say "but it's sci-fi, so the mechanics must be different" I point and call BS. Aside from magic rules (which in some Sci-Figames are just turned into Psi rules) there are no major rules I know of that must be different.