As above.  It can be for any reason:  easy learning curve, your own familiarity with that system, availability, whatever.

Personally, I've used games from Rifts to D&D to HARP with new players;  right now, I'm thinking all things being equal, Iron Gauntlets would be my RPG of choice (assuming their interest is traditional fantasy), basically because its extremely easy to learn, and simple to change around to get whatever sort of character you're looking for.  But I think I really could (and have) introduce folks to gaming with plenty of different titles, so another question is, does it really matter, so long as you do a good job of it?  I don't think it does, so consider this just a curiousity as to personal preference more than anything.



(Oh, HinterWelt's Squirrel Attack! might also be a fun intro).

Quote from: Zachary The First(Oh, HinterWelt's Squirrel Attack! might also be a fun intro).

I have used DND many times as well as MERPS a few times. I stopped using MErps because I often had to follow up the session with "Really, it is not that hard".

I have used my Iridium System mostly in the form of Tales and Shades. Also, I have used SA! to great effect. It really does the job well with pregens. I think that is often the key, make it painless. Sometimes veteran gamers get all into the character creation process and it leaves a lot of newbies cold. That said, I have had a few newbies be passionate about the idea of creating a character for the story.

Bill

D&D or FUDGE. Pretty much for different reasons.

D&D... because it's most likely to be the game that they will run into groups for, and that I'll be playing. I think tales of its inpenetrability are overstated, but would keep it low level.

Fudge... because I could fairly easily scrape together any concept they might be interested in and it is light but otherwise pretty much sticks to principles of traditional games (again, that familiarity with potential future games thing).

Quote from: HinterWeltI have used DND many times as well as MERPS a few times. I stopped using MErps because I often had to follow up the session with "Really, it is not that hard".

Bill

I think I'm going to have at least one newbie for my weekly/bi-weekly Rolemaster FRP campaign (starting in October, God willing), and I'm about as prepared as I can be.  I've ginned up a step-by-step character creation guide, and I always do group chargen.  That's really an easy game for newbies AFTER character creation, just not before.

It really depends on the person.

For a true novice, someone who doesn't even play computer and/or console games, and isn't a scifi/fantasy fan at all, I might be inclined just to drag out my old beat-up Holmes edition D&D book (maybe with a tiny bit of tweaking). The average person has only heard of D&D as far as RPGs are concerned, so I think it'd be nice to give the newb at least this touchstone of familiarity at first.

For someone who is more predisposed to scifi/fantasy, and who seems more likely to grasp more complex game rules right off, I'd just use core D&D 3.5. I'd likely use pregens created with the starting packages from the PHB II so gaming can start right away.

In general, I'd leave character generation for later, assuming the person would want to play again on a longer-term basis. Nothing kills momentum for a true newb than to spend an hour or more rolling up a character. Yeah, I know a lot of gamers like to do it, but I've seen the eyes of true novices to RPGs glaze over as tedious bookkeeping and dice rolling is done before the real game starts.

That does depend very much on the interests of the players. In the past, I've enjoyed success with Call of Cthulhu and Nobilis.

Quote from: ColonelHardissonIn general, I'd leave character generation for later, assuming the person would want to play again on a longer-term basis. Nothing kills momentum for a true newb than to spend an hour or more rolling up a character. Yeah, I know a lot of gamers like to do it, but I've seen the eyes of true novices to RPGs glaze over as tedious bookkeeping and dice rolling is done before the real game starts.

You bring up a really interesting point.  I've seen people fidget during chargen, and I've seen folks really get into the idea of having this game where they can create the ultimate in character customization.  If it's a demo or a one-shot with any sort of chargen longer than say, Risus, I would likely have pregens.  Elsewise, my deafult is to make chargen a fun, group activity, where they can sort of get into the feel of things, have their intial steps seen to, and have a greater sense of character ownership.

The answer is always going to be 'It depends', but I do have some general ideas.

I ran a game of Nicotine Girls for a non-gaming friend of mine, and she was so impressed she's still talking about it to other non-gamers. NG would still be my game of choice for many of the people I know. For the same people, I would also consider Bacchanal, My Life with Master or It Was a Mutual Decision.

If somebody specifically wanted fantasy I would be highly inclined to use Trollbabe, or possibly Prince Valiant.

I've used Space Opera, Traveller, DnD 1e, and Earthdawn all to good effect. Right now  I'd use True20 because it is really simple.

In the past I've used a lot.  Right now, hands down, I would use Primetime Adventures.  Everyone understands TV.

If the person in question is already geeky, I'd use InSpectres, one of my favorite games ever.  It's also very simple.

1) Marvel Saga. I've taught a huge number of people the system (including complete newbies who were under the age ten--even making their own characters)

2) Tunnels and Trolls. Simple dungeoncrawling wackiness.

Really it depends on the person is question. SF fhans would obviously like a SF game, people who've heard of D&D might want to try it or another S&S setting, etc.

As for systems, I'd have to go with gurps because the name is so silly it can't be considered threatening so it won't scare anyone off like the dreaded D&D lable can.

As long as I keep new gamers off the SJG forums for a while they should be fine with it.

I generally have only introduced players who have asked for it.

They invariably ask for DnD.

It's probably just that they haven't heard of anything else.

Quote from: beejazzI generally have only introduced players who have asked for it.

They invariably ask for DnD.

It's probably just that they haven't heard of anything else.

Well, just as advice from one gamer to another, I'd suggest asking people what genre's they like, and if they like SF I'd inform them of the existance of SFRPGs and ask them if they wanted to try one of them instead.

Quote from: Dominus NoxWell, just as advice from one gamer to another, I'd suggest asking people what genre's they like, and if they like SF I'd inform them of the existance of SFRPGs and ask them if they wanted to try one of them instead.

I have to admit, I haven't had much experience with other stuff anyway. I pretty much just modified a couple of gamerules so that I could include multiple genre elements and played it by ear after that.

This after they had learned the basics, of course.