Let's talk about "plot", "story", and "play to find out."

[Fenris-77]

I assume that you are talking here about the action resolution mecanics.

But not, for instance, the rules about who gets to say what. I don't think that those "fade into the background" any more in (say) Prince Valiant than in (say) Rolemaster.

Yes, but not just those.. I'm talking about the extent to which I have to shift my attention from the situation at hand to consulting a rule or mechanic, a part of which is how easy a given rules set is to internalize (and thus consult far less regularly).

I'm not 100% that this is what @Lanefan means, but I think I'm at least close.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I'm not saying that's unfair, but I also don't think that was the marketing plan. It's not super important though. I didn't care for 4E either, so I do understand.

How does a marketing plan take that tack without meaning to? That makes no sense to me.

 

[hawkeyefan]

Even in RPGs I do like, I still prefer it when the rules get out of the way whenever it's reasonably possible than they can.

Yeah, I see this kind of comment fairly frequently, and I know I’ve seen you say it plenty of times. To me, it makes about as much sense as saying “I prefer the roleplaying to get out of the way” when talking about RPGs.

I enjoy the game. I enjoy the way the rules help shape play and help determine what happens next. I love the way that the game and the roleplay combine to create a unique experience.

Wanting either of those elements to “get out of the way” strikes me as an odd desire.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Yeah, I see this kind of comment fairly frequently, and I know I’ve seen you say it plenty of times. To me, it makes about as much sense as saying “I prefer the roleplaying to get out of the way” when talking about RPGs.

I enjoy the game. I enjoy the way the rules help shape play and help determine what happens next. I love the way that the game and the roleplay combine to create a unique experience.

Wanting either of those elements to “get out of the way” strikes me as an odd desire.

To me, the point of playing RPGs (as opposed to running them or worldbuilding) is to explore an imaginary world through the specific lens of your character. If not having to refer to the rules more than you feel is necessary helps with that goal, I see zero problem with it