Anything wrong with just playing D&D?

[BiggusGeekus]

Hey, if it works for you then all is good!

That said there's a whole lot of really great non-d20 products out there. If you're ever in the mood, slide on over to rpg.net and see the action going on over there.

Plus, 2nd edition Paranoia just can't be missed.

 

[MerakSpielman]

All I play is D&D. All I know is D&D. I think I played 1 game of TMNT when I was ten, and in high school somebody tried to get a Mage game off the ground with me helping with the background/plot/maps, but it never happened. I owned the Top Secret/SI boxed set when I was a kid, but never had anybody to play it with.

The only RPG I've ever really played is D&D, and I love it. I'm not going to leave for another system until I get bored with it, and I don't see that happening.

 

[MonsterMash]

Though I don't think there's anything wrong in only playing D&D or d20 system games I'm glad that I started RPG's young and back in the 70's meaning I had the time and opportunity to play lots of different games over the years.
OD&D, 1e, 3e and 3.5 for Dungeons and Dragons
Runequest 2, Call of Cthulhu (BRP) version
Toon, Paranoia, Metamorphosis Alpha, Chivalry and Sourcery, and probably a couple of others I've forgotten in the mists of time.

 

[Zarrock God of Evil]

I'd have to disagree. BTW, both versions are based on a fantasy rpg system. BRP is based on an archaic one (RuneQuest), and it shows. The system is klunky, whereas the modified d20 system used in Cthulhu d20 is actually quite smooth. (No AoO's, more of a skill-based approach, for example).

Rest is up to the GM. I've got both systems, and d20 is just better in both production values and the system, IMHO. The modernish colour art in d20 has thrown some purists off (and probably what prompted Gothmogs action movie comment - the rules don't have cinematic parts), but I thought it was welcome - it made the book look and feel like a complete product instead of just another cheap RPG book.

I completely agree and I played regularly in the original CoC system for many years - CoC d20 is a pearl. I've also tried my luck with Vampire, Cyberpunk, VP, WEG Star Wars (which was quite fun), and - sigh - Rifts (nice world - horrible rules), but nothing ever compared to D&D for me. The new d20 systems fill me with joy, since I love the system more than the individual rules and like a bit of genre variation from time to time - especially new setting variations like Dragonstar and the possibility of cyberpunkin' it D20-style with D20 Modern.

-Zarrock

 

[Tom Cashel]

I agree with the seeming majority here, that there's nothing wrong with just liking D&D. But I wouldn't discount other games until you've tried them. What concerns me most is your statement

My DM tried to get our group to alternate to playing WhiteWolf: Mage once per month, but I wasn't interested, and neither was the majority of the group.

This may be a cry for help from your DM, who might just need a little variety to recharge his creative batteries. How many times do you play per month? Would it hurt all that much to try out a game that just might happen to be fantastic if you give it a chance?

I speak from experience; last year I made a similar plea for variety with my D&D group. The same refusal was returned, and it led to the unceremonious death of our D&D campaign. In short, they wouldn't budge for a little variety, so I ended up killing the campaign and forcing all the variety on them. Now they play what I run, or they don't play at all. It was an ugly scene for a while.

Yeah, I know...I'm a tyrant...

Turns out they like Call of Cthulhu (classic) quite a bit, and are totally psyched for the Beyond the Mountains of Madness campaign that begins in a few weeks.

If they'd been a little more open-minded when the DM was desperate, we might still have a D&D campaign too.

In short, like what you like and don't take crap from anyone. But don't ignore the value of compromise if your DM's well-being is at stake.

 

[Bass Puppet]

I've been playing d&d off and on since 78. In the 80's we played Gamma World (original), Star Frontiers, and Rifts. I think I played one game of Cyberpunk, but it's been forever. It just happens that D&D is the game that hooks my players. My players have been playing on and off since the early 80's, so I think it has become a nostoligic thing. Are we closed minded? Maybe. Are we missing out? Yeah, probably. But do we care? No, because D&D is just the excuse for old friends to get together and if that is the glue thats bonds us, than that is far more important than the brand of glue.

 

[johnsemlak]

This may be a cry for help from your DM, who might just need a little variety to recharge his creative batteries. How many times do you play per month? Would it hurt all that much to try out a game that just might happen to be fantastic if you give it a chance?

I might not characterize it as a call for help, but a desire to go in a different avenue one time per month. I was a little harsh about it in my initial post; I was just pointing out my preference for D&D. I certainly agree it wouldn't hurt for the group to try something different (we actually did do a one-off Mage session). However, I think the DM realized that the rest of the group (not only me) was only half interested.

Anyway, a compromise was reached. To relieve my DM, I am DMing twice a month, but It will be D&D. I did strongly consider AU, but I'm not sure it suits our group.

 

[Numion]

Of course there's nothing wrong with only playing D&D. Just like there's nothing wrong with only watching Star Trek re-runs, or only watching classic Star Wars movies to the exclusion of any others. I wouldn't recommend any of those three options, though -- there's a lot to be missed out there.

I wouldn't use that analogy. I'd rather compare playing D&D to listening certain type of music. Like if you're into rock heavily, you might still hear pop songs on the radio you like, but no rap fan is ever going to 'convert' you into rap.

IMO it's same with RPGs. If you're D&D dude and like the system, no amount of preaching on RPG.NET isn't going to turn you on Nobilis. Well, tastes do change, just like in music, but people shouldn't feel like they're 'missing' anything by not playing GURPS, just like I don't feel I'm missing anything because I never listen to death metal.

 

[Kesh]

So far, every gaming group I've played in lasted between 1 month and 1 year. I've played maybe a dozen different games, but only a few really appeal to me still.

Shadowrun
Werewolf: the Apocalypse
d20 * (ie. D&D, Modern, Call of Cthulu, etc.)

 

[CleverName]

I'm amazed at other s who roll out the list of games they've played, even games just developed since the advent of d20. How do people find time for it all. Also, does d20 make it easier to go to another genre?

I run D&D most Wednesday nights and HERO, when I can. I've run extended campaigns using WoD rules, WEG's d6, several d20's, HERO, Rolemaster, RuneQuest, etc. not to mention several homebrew systems.

I find the time because I like systems; I like seeing how they affect roleplaying and the gaming experience, how they model their "worlds", etc. It's just great fun for me.

Naturally, I'm as puzzled by the reactions of gamers who dont like playing a lot of games as your are of "wierdos" like me.

: )

And also, what am I missing by not trying out non-d20 RPGs? I've never seen what.

If you are having fun, then don't sweat it. I don't.

But I honestly believe that while d20 games like D&D can do a lot to model different kinds of settings, etc., they can't do it all. D20 Traveller is cool, d20 Call of Cthulhu? Why bother?

M&M is a great superhero game, but it is sooooo far from most people’s perceptions of d20 that is makes a great "exception that proves the rule." The only parts that are d20 are the resolution mechanic, some skills, the names of the abilities, and the concept of saves. No races, no classes, no alignment, no hit points, point-buy everything. It’s fun and fast and rules-lite.

I play HERO a lot and it naturally handles a plethora of genres better than D&D (IMNSHO), but if I wanted to play Call of Cthulhu I rather just run[\B] CoC (not d20).

If I wanted to play a game with modern-day demigods, I'd run Nobilis. (What a sweet game!) Trying to model that in HERO or d20 would really be missing the point.

Also, I happen to think playing something very different is like going to a great restaurant and ordering something that you've never had -- it kinda' educates one's gaming "palate." I don’t want to push that too far. Gaming is about having fun, but I think broadening one’s horizons – even if you end up going back to the “cheeseburger” you normally order is worthy of a gamer’s time.

I still play D&D pretty much every week because the rules reflect my group's style of play and vice versa.