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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hussar" data-source="post: 8628120" data-attributes="member: 22779">No, I totally agree here.  An RPG game is more than just the system.  I've argued in the past that the system itself isn't actually a full game.  That without all the stuff the players/GM of the system bring to the table, you can't actually do anything with an RPG.  An RPG is a game building engine and that game will depend on so many factors both tangible and not.Which is largely why you see so much pushback whenever someone says something like "D&D is gamist" for example.  Systemwise, I don't think anyone can really deny that.  Or, even something like "D&D is about combat" which tends to get a lot of pushback.  But, systemwise, D&D is basically a combat engine with some bits and bobs glued on.  Strip out all the mechanics related to combat from D&D, and you don't have a lot left.  A minimalist skill system and... some class ribbons?  That's about it.  But, what we play at the table is rarely just the mechanics.  Which is where these discussions really grind up against people's experiences.  So many times, one person is talking about the system alone, and the other person is talking about the game, which is a far more nebulous, abstract thing that is so idiosyncratic to each table.</blockquote>