Is it "wrong" to not like other systems?

[SWBaxter]

Yet, when I mention my "loyalty" to the system that very much fulfills my personal taste, and can simulate everything I want to simulate to the degree I want to simulate it (from D&D to D20 Modern to Mutants and Masterminds) I am occaisonally ridiculed, and often told I'm wrong, and need to branch out, or some similar admonishment for not particularly enjoying alternate RPG system X.

Well, it seems to me Mutants and Masterminds is far enough from d20 that the difference between M&M and some other point-based rules systems is much smaller than the difference between M&M and D&D. That would make your loyalty, IMHO, more a matter of branding than game mechanics (not that there's anything wrong with that).

That aside, I have never really understood rules system advocacy. My experience may be unique, but I've always found the group and the GM are a heck of a lot more important than the game system used. I have various games that I prefer to use when I run a campaign, but I picked 'em because they're right for me, and I know that many of my criteria are not objective. Heck, they don't even hold true for me from game to game - sometimes I like to run a fairly detailed superhero game using Hero 5 and sometimes I run a very freeform superhero game using HeroQuest. The criteria for "what's the best RPG" are neither objective or static, so it's no surprise lots of people come up with different answers.

 

[Akrasia]

For merchandise that proclaims your hat of d02:

http://www.cafepress.com/guardiansorder/321114

 

[The_Universe]

Well, it seems to me Mutants and Masterminds is far enough from d20 that the difference between M&M and some other point-based rules systems is much smaller than the difference between M&M and D&D. That would make your loyalty, IMHO, more a matter of branding than game mechanics (not that there's anything wrong with that).

I disagree. I definitely think that Mutants and Masterminds has more in common with D&D than it does with (for example) Hero. Further, while character creation may differ widely from the norm, the core mechanic remains much the same (saves and all that).

YMMV.

 

[SWBaxter]

I disagree. I definitely think that Mutants and Masterminds has more in common with D&D than it does with (for example) Hero.

Whatever. The "IMHO" means it's my opinion. I'm not particularly interested in debating the issue, just noted it for the purpose of showing where I'm coming from. Feel free to dismiss anything I said if you believe my opinion has no merit.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I think it is only "wrong" to not like other systems if you are constantly complaining about the one you play. If you are always finding the things wrong with the system, then you should listen to people saying why d20 is lacking or why you can fix what you don't like with other systems.

Flip side is if you are a system "champion" and yet are unwilling to try any other system. All you do is shout out the superiority of the system you use with little to nothing to back it up or comapre to.

Choice of gaming system is a matter of personal taste, style of play, group dynamics and economics. I pretty much stick to a very limited set of systems because I just don't have the time and the money to persue other systems nor do the other people I game with. I might find I like other systems, but I am not going to plunk down the $$$ to find out just to satisfy other people who tell me I need to expand my horizons. I'm happy enough and that is all that matters to me.

 

[The_Universe]

Whatever. The "IMHO" means it's my opinion. I'm not particularly interested in debating the issue, just noted it for the purpose of showing where I'm coming from. Feel free to dismiss anything I said if you believe my opinion has no merit.

And YMMV means "Your mileage may vary." Chill, dude.

 

[AIM-54]

There's nothing inherently wrong about not enjoying non-d20 systems anymore than there is in enjoying only non-d20 systems. We all have individual tastes that determine what we want out of roleplaying system/world/game and there will always be differences between individuals about them.

Problems only arise if you are part of a gaming group, that you enjoy gaming with and want to continue gaming with, where there are differences of opinion and strong desires by others to want to run/play another system. If some sort of compromise can't be reached, then it's be necessary for both parties to search out more compatible gaming opportunities. That's not inherently negative, merely recognizing that gaming needs are not universal.

One shouldn't ever have to feel "bad" (for lack of a better term), because of one's gaming preferences, whatever they happen to be.

 

[JoeGKushner]

now i know you are being funny

Comedy is my middle name! No wait, actually it's Glen.

No, seriously though, what other game systems do I just off and bash for the random purpose of it?

I like Harp. Love Rolemaster. Love Hero. GURPS isn't my favorite. Exalted is great. Call of Cthulhu is great but I think Chaosium is living in a time warp.

 

[Mystery Man]

For merchandise that proclaims your hat of d02:

http://www.cafepress.com/guardiansorder/321114

Oh my God! LOL

I wonder whatever happened to that original poster. Wouldn't it be something if he was a marketing genius and the whole thing was a ploy? You've all played right into his hands. Either that or he's jumped off a bridge somewhere.

 

[Ranes]

It's fine to dislike a system. It's not fine to say, "I don't like this therefore it's rubbish." On the other hand, it is okay to say, "This is rubbish therefore I don't like it." It's also okay to say, "This is rubbish but I love it." Just to round off this little spate of pointing out the obvious, it's also okay to say, "That's great. But I don't like it."