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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Skald" data-source="post: 165678" data-attributes="member: 1601">I personally feel that coming up with a good, imaginative product, specifically an RPG product, does require a combination of both a good degree of familiarity with the rules system that will be used, as well as an ability to present the ideas around those rules in an entertaining and logical manner. These two traits don't necessarily have to be in the same person either (say, two friends work on a game, with one fellow being the writer while the other develops the rules). Being familiar with alternate rules systems can also be useful.As far as playtesting goes, I would say yes just as a default precaution for Quality Control. This doesn't only apply to rules systems either, but also the ideas as well. This could be thought of as editing a novel, in a sense. If the rules are akward while the story is good, or if the reverse is true, then the customer will have to do the other half of the work the author/developer should have done in the first place. Now granted, no one will please everyone on matters of quality, but playtesting does go a long way to smooth out both rules and story consistency.Ed Greenwood effectively playtested his Forgotten Realms for what, 20 years before TSR got a hold of it? This is why the setting still sells so well, even without any rules issues becoming involved.For those of you familiar with Maidenheim, yes, I do playtest the setting with my friends, to achieve a consistency in the themes and story as well as to smooth out any rules issues. One of the shining moments for me as the writer is when my friends can read the books and setting material and just get it without asking me for more specific details. This tells me that the ideas have been presented clearly, and that the material can be introduced smoothly to add background flavor into the game. We're all older guys (28+) and they know not to try and toot my horn just to keep the peace, so any questions they do have they certainly will bring up.I hope this answers your question.</blockquote>

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