The Dungeon Master or The Rules: why would you play in a RPG campaign?

[Aus_Snow]

While the GM is a HUGE consideration - it depends on who else is playing as well.

Troofiness. Quoted for.

I'll play any RPG [bar one or two] once. Well, more like at least for a session, and probably for a campaign.

The quality of the company is what matters most, just as in so many other situations in life.

 

[Treebore]

If the GM is as good as you say, and I like the rest of the group, I'll play anything, but I won't buy the books. Eventually I likely will, though, because even games that aren't my fave are worth owning for various reasons, which is why I own GURPS 4E, Paladium Fantasy, RIFTS, Rolemaster, HAPR, etc...

If this situation ever presented itself I would even buy D&D 4E PH, Amber Diceless, and other games. Besides, any game is fun with the right people and the right house rules.

 

[Greg K]

Under the circumstances given (and assuming the GM has not house ruled away the issues that I have with the system), I won't be playing. I don't care how good the GM is. Imo, the system does matter and any issues with it will rear its ugly head.

 

[the Jester]

Yer poll is missing some answers and making some weird assumptions. Like, where is "Yes, I'd play any system with a good gm"?

And "required books" is a rather presumptuous idea- you only need one copy of the rules in the group to play, really; I've been in plenty of campaigns where only one person actually owned the rules. Given time, more people usually end up with them, but at least at first, this isn't too rare in my experience.

 

[FireLance]

It's all a matter of degree, of course, but generally, the key determinants of whether I will enjoy a gaming session are, in order of importance:

1. Friends. If I like the people I'm gaming with, I will usually have fun even if the DM and the system are not exceptionally good.

2. Good DM. A good DM should be able to gloss over the problematic parts of a system, and focus on the bits that are more fun.

3. Good system. It isn't the most important aspect, but it still helps.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Hell yeah, especially if your friends with the DM/rest of the Players. Since then it isn't just the game that you're there for fun but just being with your friends.

Having an excellent DM just means all the better.

Edit: For the poll. None of those really fit. For myself it would be, "Yes, I'd be happy to try it but probably wouldn't buy the books."

Ditto. Odd that option would be out. I mean, is my group the only one where not everyone has all the books?

 

[Mallus]

While the GM is a HUGE consideration - it depends on who else is playing as well.

This.

BTW, I'd play Synnibar with my current gaming group. They're that good.

 

[Shroomy]

Edit: For the poll. None of those really fit. For myself it would be, "Yes, I'd be happy to try it but probably wouldn't buy the books."

This would be my response too.

 

[darjr]

Edit: For the poll. None of those really fit. For myself it would be, "Yes, I'd be happy to try it but probably wouldn't buy the books."

I would have picked that option as well. I've joined games with DM's that were not fantastic using game systems that I wasn't overjoyed with because they were friends and wanted to GM.

To my everlasting delight most of those games turned out great, and some of those GMs improved to the point of fantastic.

 

[elawai]

Talk To Him

I think you should probably the game because a good GM is a good GM, so I'm sure the game will be fine.

HOWEVER, I think I would tell him that you really don't like the game system you are going to. This is just in case some of the other players feel the same way and have expressed their opinions to him. If enough players are unhappy, he will switch BECAUSE he is a good DM.