Potential GMing Delima: CoC or MnM 3e?

[Jared Rascher]

I might have a chance to pick up a second night of GMing every other week, and for a while now, I've been just kind of assuming that I was going to run a DC Adventures/MnM 3e game, since I've been wanting to do that.

However, I finally, after decades of gaming, picked up Call of Cthulhu, and I really, really love the game as I've been reading through it. It sounds like I might have some interest in that game as well if I run it.

(I'm running my games at the FLGS, for what its worth)

At any rate, now I'm torn. I have 0 experience with CoC, and I'm still finishing up the rulebook to get the hang of it. I have only run a little of MnM, but I think I've got a much better handle on the mechanics of that game, and I do love the DCU.

I know nobody can make an intelligent argument on what game I should run, per se, but I am curious to mull over some pros and cons of both games in the public forum.

Thanks all.

 

[Umbran]

They are both good games, technically speaking.

So, the real question is, what do your players most want to play?

 

[Jared Rascher]

They are both good games, technically speaking.

So, the real question is, what do your players most want to play?

Ah, therein lies the crux of our discussion. I'll be posting "hey, guys, I'm running X on Tuesday nights, let me know if you are interested" on the FLGS's website, and if I get enough interest, I'll run the game. If not, I won't take up the table space at the store.

So I don't actually have players set in stone for either game.

 

[Diamond Cross]

You could always convert CoC to M&M 3e.

I mean that as a serious suggestion.

 

[Jared Rascher]

You could always convert CoC to M&M 3e.

I mean that as a serious suggestion.

Honestly, I wouldn't take it as anything except that, but I don't think its a option I want to pursue. The main reason for this is that when I run things at the game store, I try not to get too "experimental" or to use too many house rules.

What I worry about in a "public" venue is that people at the game store don't show up for me, per se, or because they are in my game and thus have a level of GM trust (some do, but its an open invitation, so to speak). Since that's the case, I try not to "dilute" the game system I'm using by too much.

Long story short, I try to avoid house rules and deviating too much from the "expected" style of a given game.

 

[MatthewJHanson]

I do not think you can go wrong with either.

One thought is that since you are running it at a game store, they might appreciate the exposure for M&M since the third edition was just released.

 

[Jared Rascher]

I do not think you can go wrong with either.

One thought is that since you are running it at a game store, they might appreciate the exposure for M&M since the third edition was just released.

That is a good point. While there are a lot of gamers that miss the old CoC game that used to run at the store, CoC doesn't generate a lot of non-GM sales, and back when I ran my Star Wars Saga game sales for the Saga books in the store really picked up.

With new DCA and MM3e books coming out, that's a definite plus for my friend's business.

 

[frankthedm]

Cthulhu needs the players in on the style of the game. Play requires accepting the atmosphere, planning, investigation and caution. M&M seems like it could lend itself to more casual play.

 

[Wednesday Boy]

(I've only played the Chaosium version of CoC, so this may not apply if you have a different version.) In my experience CoC is very deadly and has a high character turnover rate. This makes it great for one-shot or episodic sessions. If the sessions you'll run at the gaming store are going to be open to everyone and the player lineup will often get shuffled, the one-shot/episodic nature of CoC could work well to make sure all of your player seats are filled whereas a running campaign could not work for some people.

Say you're running on Thursdays and I work every other Thursdays. I'd be more likely to jump into an episodic game on the days I don't work than join an ongoing campaign where I'll miss every other session.

(Although now that I'm done writing I suppose MnM could easily be episodic too so...)

 

[Piratecat]

I think Frank has it right; Call of Cthulhu depends heavily on mood, and it can be a lot tougher to get that feel if you're playing in a gaming store. MnM, on the other hand, has a couple of advantages - it generates business for the store, it's fun for people to briefly watch, and it's equally great for one-shots.