Are mechanics really important to good roleplaying experience?

[mythusmage]

:\

Uh, no.

Mechanics exist to resolve the element of chance. That's all.

(snip)

Okay, define mechanics in the context of RPGs.

 

[Ranger REG]

This is, is it important to have rules in the first place? Your statement seems (to me) that you are actually agreeing with BryonD more than disagreeing here, in that you think rules are an important tool for a game. An "interactive story" doesn't require rules. You can pass a story around a campfire and have an interactive story. But, for a lot of people, you can't play a game without rules.

Are rules important TOOLS in an RPG? Yes.

Are rules more important than the story in an RPG? HELL NO.

Do I need to clarify myself more?

 

[Digital M@]

No. The rules aren't the game. So a terrific game --read: campaign-- can be built using all manner of shoddy mechanics.

The best RPG campaign I've ever participated in used 2nd Edition AD&D.

Many of my favorite gaming memories are with very shoddy home made mechanics, so I will agree. To me, gaming is about the people at the table, which is why it is so hard to find a good group.