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

[soviet]

It would, and I'm sure there's games that take that light of an approach. Taking the abstraction to a bit more of a granular level, though, allows us to a) play it out in more detail (the exact amount of which is, of course, variable by system to suit one's taste) and b) avoid the 50-50 death odds that a coin-flip system would represent when the Orc flips to see if he successfully stabs me.

Surely you can chain multiple flips together over a sequence of play.

OK the orc runs at you with a vicious serrated blade. [Player describes countermeasures.] Flip a coin to see if you can keep him at bay.

OK, he manages to sidestep your blow and get right up to your flank. He has this wicked evil grin as he stabs towards your exposed flank. [Player describes countermeasures.] Flip a coin to see if he stabs you.

OK, the blade is on target and pushed with strength. Flip a coin to see if it penetrates your armour.

OK the blade rips into your guts and you scream out in agony. Flip a coin to see if the shock and tissue damage takes you out of the fight.

OK the battle's over and the medic treats you. Flip a coin to see if the wound is infected

 

[hawkeyefan]

Do I try to stab the orc or not? That's my choice as player.

Do I succeed? Well, we can't role-play that out at the table very well and so we have to abstract it.

It would, and I'm sure there's games that take that light of an approach. Taking the abstraction to a bit more of a granular level, though, allows us to a) play it out in more detail (the exact amount of which is, of course, variable by system to suit one's taste) and b) avoid the 50-50 death odds that a coin-flip system would represent when the Orc flips to see if he successfully stabs me.

So… it’s a framework that helps us determine success or failure of uncertain actions and allows us to do so with a degree of satisfaction?

That’s what I get out of that. Would you say my reading is accurate?

 

[Lanefan]

So… it’s a framework that helps us determine success or failure of uncertain actions and allows us to do so with a degree of satisfaction?

That’s what I get out of that. Would you say my reading is accurate?

Pretty much, sure.

The only change I'd make is the bolded bit would read "...uncertain actions that require abstraction and..."; specifically to allow for the possibility that not everything requires abstraction.

 

[pemerton]

I think it’s also possible for tools to be necessary.

Yes - this seems pretty obvious to me!

I have a rough idea of what @Lanefan’s game involves. It’s got plenty of rules that I’d never describe as “getting out of the way”.

Quite.