Fiction, rules, or setting first in a core book?

[RangerWickett]

Those who are saying no fiction, have you read the new White Wolf core book? The first 30 pages of it are fiction. Hell, it barely even mentions the fact that you've bought a game book until page 10, and the rules don't start 'til page 30-something. It's awesome.

 

[WayneLigon]

Rules first, then setting, then fiction.

Show me what the rules are first, because if I buy it then that's what I'll turn to first.
Setting second, though I'm an old grognard and would prefer to have setting in a second book, if at all.
Fiction last. I generally like most game fiction I've read, but I'd prefer to have it in small peices throughout the work rather than a large glossy section at the front.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Other: Rules first, campaign second, fiction interspersed.

 

[diaglo]

Those who are saying no fiction, have you read the new White Wolf core book? The first 30 pages of it are fiction. Hell, it barely even mentions the fact that you've bought a game book until page 10, and the rules don't start 'til page 30-something. It's awesome.

check out Book of Ebon Bindings by M.A.R. Barker

 

[Lorgrom]

Those who are saying no fiction, have you read the new White Wolf core book? The first 30 pages of it are fiction. Hell, it barely even mentions the fact that you've bought a game book until page 10, and the rules don't start 'til page 30-something. It's awesome.

That is exactly why I say rules first, setting second, ficton last. If I wanted to read a story, I would just buy a book to read, not a rulebook. Of course since most of the Story Teller series of games are baisicaly nothing more then telling a story (I have played many times with many diffrent referees), What little game mechanics there are, are basicaly not worth having IMO.

 

[Wombat]

Well, if you are going to have all three and they are going to be in a specific order, I would think fiction, setting, then rules.

Then again, my favourite core rulebook layout is Blue Planet, 2nd ed... That has all three somewhat scattered together.

But realistically, especially if someone is trying to "generic" rules, I would think "All rules, all the time, absolutely no setting or fiction". That sounds like true "core rules". Then you come up with setting material later.

Yeah, GURPS is pretty close to this. Now if only I liked the system...

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Those who are saying no fiction, have you read the new White Wolf core book? The first 30 pages of it are fiction. Hell, it barely even mentions the fact that you've bought a game book until page 10, and the rules don't start 'til page 30-something. It's awesome.

With as little interest as I have in fiction in game books, I have even less interest in WoD game books in general.

 

[painandgreed]

Fiction, setting, rules. However, by fiction, understand that I mean one to three pages to set the mood. 5 pages max if it is conveying important aspects of the setting or has art. I do not want a 30 page story because I'll never read it and WILL hold it against the author for including that much dead weight to their products.

 

[kyloss]

For me I like the layout of most shadow run stuff, easy to read and entertaining even If i dont use all of it, I realize it wouldnt work for everything but it sets much more of a mode for me than most products do.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I like fiction first - but there should not be too much, just enough to set the tone of the setting. Follow that by setting and rules last.

I think this order really lets you get into the "feel" of the world before getting wrapped up in the mechanics. If I get rules before I understand the setting, I could find myself making judgements based upon the mechanics that might unfairly affect my opinion of the setting itself. I can houserule the RAW, but if I'm sour on the setting it is harder to compensate for.