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General Tabletop Discussion
*TTRPGs General
The nature of "realism" in the game world
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<blockquote data-quote="lutecius" data-source="post: 4702211" data-attributes="member: 60332"><p>That's how I see it too. </p><p></p><p>But a rule-light system doesn't necessarily mean "the absence of tight rules" or just "filling the void". </p><p>Some rules get in the way of realism precisely because they're too broad and simplified. Take the OP's Wisdom example. A few ability scores covering several loosely related concepts (in this case perception and common sense) is rule-light compared to more detailed systems with lots of narrow abilities but creates more inconsistencies. The ageing rule isn't unrealistic because it's too detailed. It's unrealistic because it's too broad.</p><p></p><p>I think it's more a matter of priorities (the will to actually model something) and well thought-out rules than rule-light vs rule-heavy.</p><p>I prefer more streamlined systems but gurps is both more detailed and more realistic than dnd. And I won't go into what I think of 4e's "simplifications" and how they affect verisimilitude.</p><p></p><p>I also believe that the more judgment calls a dm has to make, the more inconsistencies will arise, no matter how experienced he is.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="lutecius, post: 4702211, member: 60332"] That's how I see it too. But a rule-light system doesn't necessarily mean "the absence of tight rules" or just "filling the void". Some rules get in the way of realism precisely because they're too broad and simplified. Take the OP's Wisdom example. A few ability scores covering several loosely related concepts (in this case perception and common sense) is rule-light compared to more detailed systems with lots of narrow abilities but creates more inconsistencies. The ageing rule isn't unrealistic because it's too detailed. It's unrealistic because it's too broad. I think it's more a matter of priorities (the will to actually model something) and well thought-out rules than rule-light vs rule-heavy. I prefer more streamlined systems but gurps is both more detailed and more realistic than dnd. And I won't go into what I think of 4e's "simplifications" and how they affect verisimilitude. I also believe that the more judgment calls a dm has to make, the more inconsistencies will arise, no matter how experienced he is. [/QUOTE]
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