Let's talk about specific innovations in TTRPG design and where they came from. This isn't eman to be an argument, just a friendly discussion about design and how the RPG industry has changed over time. I fully expect to be surprised at when certain innovations came into being, however obscure, probably well before I ever encountered them.
For example, what was the first game to introduce some sort of meta-currency such as drama points, that could be used to alter the outcome of die rolls? I don't think any of the early D&D editions had such mechanics, but I am not familiar enough with Traveller, Runequest or T&T to know if the concept came up very early in TTRPG design or happened later i the 80s proliferation.
For example, what was the first game to introduce some sort of meta-currency such as drama points, that could be used to alter the outcome of die rolls? I don't think any of the early D&D editions had such mechanics, but I am not familiar enough with Traveller, Runequest or T&T to know if the concept came up very early in TTRPG design or happened later i the 80s proliferation.