"System Orphan" Looking for a Home

[billd91]

Repeat after me:

System may matter, but it doesn't matter that much.

The rules aren't the game.

The people you game with are the game.

I'd like to underscore these particular lines in the quote. System does matter, in part, because different systems may scratch different itches you and your fellow players have. There are several games I'd be willing to run including 4 editions of D&D/Pathfinder, 3 editions of Traveller, 2 editions of Star Wars, 3 different superhero RPGs, 2 different generic systems, 2 different horror systems, and at least 1 comedy system (Toon, for those of you keeping score at home). Each plays a bit differently but I like them all well enough to run them as long as my players were willing and I have a good campaign (or series of one-shots) idea. I've even run or could run more systems but prefer not to because I don't like them enough.

You don't really need to have a single system you call home now or ever. It's not really sad not to have one as long as you're capable of having fun with other systems and games. It's not sad to have a system you like best of all, either. Again, as long as you're continuing to have fun. If you're feeling rootless now, I would suggest you not lament it but embrace it. Experience it by experiencing as many games as you can.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Repeat after me:

System may matter, but it doesn't matter that much.

The rules aren't the game.

The people you game with are the game.

People say that, and yet they pay an awful lot of money for system.

 

[amerigoV]

People say that, and yet they pay an awful lot of money for system.

I think you have to bifircate that to a degree. I put a good amount of money into material, but it is primarly setting supplements (Savage Worlds Settings). I paid $10 for the system plus a 10-12% of the price of the setting for the modest additional crunch that is in there.

There are, of course, different games that many do put a lot of $ for the system (I paid an a lot of money in 3.x for many ways to kill an orc).

 

[Charles Dunwoody]

I'm going to check out the beta of Dungeon Crawl Classic RPG (Goodman Games) on Wed. I love Pathfinder but my players are using over 1,000 pages of rules now which doesn't even include the bestaries. System may not matter, but it can make my brain and back hurt due to scope and weight.

DCC on the surface may sound like dungeon crawling only or a retro-clone. I haven't seem many of the rules, but what I've seen impresses me. For example, it not only has magic that scales by a roll and level but alos patron magic and mercurial magic. All three types of magic figure into a lot of fantasy lore and I'm very curious to learn more.

And all in 168 free to playtest pages.

 

[pawsplay]

Good people and a bad system are better than bad people and a good system any day of the week.

That's only true because gaming isn't the only thing you do with good people. In many cases, good people and NO system still beats good people and a bad system.

 

[pawsplay]

I think you have to bifircate that to a degree. I put a good amount of money into material, but it is primarly setting supplements (Savage Worlds Settings). I paid $10 for the system plus a 10-12% of the price of the setting for the modest additional crunch that is in there.

There are, of course, different games that many do put a lot of $ for the system (I paid an a lot of money in 3.x for many ways to kill an orc).

I just suddenly realized the staggering degree of similarity beween owning three different cookbooks about making cupcakes and collecting RPG splatbooks.

 

[amerigoV]

I just suddenly realized the staggering degree of similarity beween owning three different cookbooks about making cupcakes and collecting RPG splatbooks.

There was an edition war over that...

(xp to the person that finds the link about a new edition for Betty Crocker cookbook - my google-fu is failing)

 

[Raven Crowking]

I think you have to bifircate that to a degree. I put a good amount of money into material, but it is primarly setting supplements (Savage Worlds Settings). I paid $10 for the system plus a 10-12% of the price of the setting for the modest additional crunch that is in there.

There are, of course, different games that many do put a lot of $ for the system (I paid an a lot of money in 3.x for many ways to kill an orc).

Yes. It is entirely true that not all money spent on RPGs is spent on system. It is also entirely true that some folks spend an awful lot on system. It is also entirely, and ironically, true that some folks spend an awful lot on system while also claiming either that system doesn't matter, or matters relatively little.


RC

 

[Raven Crowking]

I just suddenly realized the staggering degree of similarity beween owning three different cookbooks about making cupcakes and collecting RPG splatbooks.

Everyone converge on pawsplay's house for cupcakes!

 

[amerigoV]

Yes. It is entirely true that not all money spent on RPGs is spent on system. It is also entirely true that some folks spend an awful lot on system. It is also entirely, and ironically, true that some folks spend an awful lot on system while also claiming either that system doesn't matter, or matters relatively little.


RC

One certainly pays more for the system with D&D these days. Its a primary factor as to why I am a lapsed D&D player. 3e just bogged down for me as a GM and 4e, while a fine system, just is so much crunch and so little new ideas. Although I do not play 4e, I did pick up the Dark Sun Campaign setting (I was poor during the 2e days). Lets just say I am not all that pleased that the real stuff on Dark Sun does not start until page 130, the rest being mostly character stuff. I am even more pissed that I saw a copy at the 1/2 book store this past week, which is more reflective of the value, IMHO. The sad part is if you look back to 3e FR and Eberron, they are great value for the money - lots of non-crunch in the main book.

Anyway, just venting a little. I am perfectly happy with Savage Worlds these days. Great value for the $.