Really, how important is the system/edition?

[Theo R Cwithin]

No matter how much I like the system, if I don't like the people I'm playing with, I'm not going to have a good time playing. People trump system for me.

I've never played online, though. It might be a little different in that case? Not sure...

 

[Umbran]

I think edition wars happen is because X edition has come across as something "really special" for groups of people who have waaaay too much dorkrage for those who don't share the view that X edition scratches that "itch".

And I think they happen because some folks cannot resist being rude, dismissive, or insulting.

Consider this a warning to the thread, folks. Be polite, be respectful - both of the persons you're speaking with, and their opinions.

 

[billd91]

For me, system matters less than either the group or the subject matter of the game. But it factors in. If I'm not liking the system, I'm not going to run the game and I do a lot of GMing (and like to do so) and I'm not going to have as much fun as I would playing and GMing something else.

But even with a good group, subject matter will still make or break a game for me. That is, however, cool with my fellow players because we're friends and can and will do other things together. I won't, for example, play Vampire. I just don't care for the subject matter. So I find other things to do when they're playing that.

If I were looking for a new gaming group, with no previous connections, system would matter more.

 

[Betote]

System doesn't matter when I'm playing: I'll play whatever the guy who's DM'ing wants to run. However, it is vital when I'm the DM: I won't run a game I don't like (at least, once I know I don't like it: test games don't count ).

As here in ENWorld we're mostly DMs, I think it's logical that we discussed systems. After all, we cannot discuss our groups

And, of course, the group is above everything. I won't play nor DM anything with people I don't like. But that's crystal-clear obvious.

 

[Invisible Stalker]

It's vital that the group and game are both satisfactory. When looking for a game, I look for system first then see if there's a group running that system I want to play with.

 

[thecasualoblivion]

It matters and it doesn't. I have enough distaste for 3E right now from a combination of the frustrations I had with it when I was playing it and knowing there is a similar game I enjoy infinitely more that I'm not sure I could enjoy playing a game of 3E at this time, no matter the group. One of our old 3E group felt the same about 4E and has mostly moved on(he runs a Mage: the Awakening game with some of us). I also can definitively say that if I am playing a modern game where I don't have superpowers or am not a Vampire or some other supernatural creature I am generally bored to tears and will be come less interested as the game progresses, regardless of the group.

 

[Jack99]

Considering I have always been playing D&D with the same group (for 20 years now), the system matters quite a lot. Because I would have my group no matter what, so playing the best game possible becomes the most important.

 

[Dice4Hire]

Well, the game system is the interface with the game. Some people like freeform, but I do not, and some people like different interfaces, which I do not.

The content and the enjoyment are roughly the same (a fantasy world, a group of friends on a a staurday night) but the game system does change the experience.

So yes, the game system does matter. It changes the experience.

 

[MerricB]

Depends a lot on the player and the system. For instance, I have (and do) enjoy all versions of D&D. However, the campaign of Iron Heroes I played made me extremely unhappy because the class balance was so out of whack for the PC I was playing.

Meanwhile, you have people who are primarily there for the company and the system is pretty much irrelevant: it's an enabler, not the purpose of them being there.

Cheers!

 

[Betote]

Considering I have always been playing D&D with the same group (for 20 years now), the system matters quite a lot. Because I would have my group no matter what, so playing the best game possible becomes the most important.

I can see myself agreeing with that. After all, It's a matter of reducing the variables: once you have the ideal group, you just have to find the ideal game!