Balanced Game System: Imperative or Bugaboo

[Mark CMG]

How important is Balance in a system to your game experience?


*Edit* Not the physical skill but rather overall game system rules balance.

 

[OnlineDM]

It's important to me. If it's absent, I'll compensate so that I can still enjoy the game.

 

[Ahnehnois]

In general, I'm in favor of having those physical skills well-described in the rules.

In general, they don't come up.

That being said, I've used it before. In D&D or the like it's a niche skill on the level of Use Magic Device or Sense Motive. In other systems, it might be the subset of a general athletic skill, which I think is a better way of doing things all around.

 

[Mark CMG]

In general, I'm in favor of having those physical skills well-described in the rules.

In general, they don't come up.

That being said, I've used it before. In D&D or the like it's a niche skill on the level of Use Magic Device or Sense Motive. In other systems, it might be the subset of a general athletic skill, which I think is a better way of doing things all around.

Not the physical skill but rather overall game system rules balance. My fault for not being more clear.

 

[The Shaman]

How important is Balance in a system to your game experience?

It's as important as Jump, Tumble, and Climb.


Yes, I know that's not what you meant - and in the game I'm playing, it's all rolled into Acrobatics anyway.

 

[Mercutio01]

I think balance in a game system is very nuanced. You don't want players overshadowing other players, or characters that can do everything next to characters that struggle to breathe, but I don't think it should be the be-all-end-all focus when crafting a game. Ultimately, games should be about packing the most fun into a 3-4 hour session (for RPGs, anyway) for all players involved (and I include the GM, as he's really just another player).

I look at indie games for more inspiration to tailor my own gaming. In particular, I like the works of D. Vincent Baker, and the conversations that are created by him and others like him when discussing game theory. I'm not a game designer, though I wish I had the drive to actually finish some of the projects I've started, but the theory interests me.

Overall, I think balance is important, but only as a method to ensure others have fun in game.

 

[LurkAway]

Yes, it's very important to be able to balance the game system

That's why I only play hardcover games, the books balance very well when placed vertically on the table and don't tip over.

Paperback books are much less balanced.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

Without a reasonable "balance gap" I do not enjoy playing or running a game. If one particular character shines all the time, I don't enjoy playing. If the gap in power between characters is too wide, I don't enjoy running. Alot of this is independant of the game system and is handled by the way the GM runs the game.

 

[Hand of Evil]

important to me because without, things seem to breakdown, leading to hanky panky rules to compensate.

 

[Bedrockgames]

I think Balance is important but should be balanced against believability and flavor. To me the two extremes are 3E and 4E. The first isn't balanced enough in my opinion, the second is too balanced IMO and cuts into believability and flavor. I like some balance but with enough room to breath.