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

[Vegepygmy]

In my 20 years of gaming, I've discovered that the main reason why people don't try a new system is because they don't want to spend the money on new books. At least, that's what people consistently tell me whenever I want to run a new system.

I think that's primarily because it's a plausible reason that most other people will readily accept, and thus it tends to curtail further cajoling to try the new system.

For me, the main reason I'd be unwilling to try a new system is that I don't want to invest the time and effort it requires to learn the new rules. I have very little free time as it is, and what little I have I prefer to spend on things I know I like a lot rather than gamble on the relative long shot that I'll enjoy a new thing even more. But if you tell someone: "I don't want to spend the time it would take," they will frequently try to convince you that: "It doesn't really take that long," or "You don't have to know the rules to enjoy the game."

I pretty much do, though. Much of my enjoyment of any game comes from my mastery and application of the rules. So while I might be willing to play in a one-shot, especially if the GM is a friend who is asking me to participate as a favor to him, I'm really not inclined to commit myself to an entire campaign using an unfamiliar rules system.

As for those rules systems I already know and don't like, my available free time is way too limited to even consider that. The GM might be the Greater God of Game Masters, but if he's running Earthdawn (for example), I'm outta there.

 

[Ktulu]

The closest I had was "yes, not happy, but would buy req. books". If the guy truly wanted to run a game in a system he was comfortable with (or had a very good reason, i.e. it's sort of hard to play a scifi game using 4th ed.) then I would certainly play in it, despite my personal taste. A good DM can make most any setting worthwhile.

To me, it's more about getting together with friends and having a good time, so I could cope regardless.

 

[shilsen]

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

You know, Mike and I did suggest we play Synnibar as a one-shot sometime. Well, mostly to make characters and laugh at them, but still...

 

[Byronic]

A bad rule system can be made up with a nice character concept.
And come to think about it, the camaraderie would be the same, perhaps even enhanced because we're complaining about the new system ^_^

 

[Wisdom Penalty]

Yes. No question. No brainer.

And, me being obtuse, I fail to see how anyone could say "no" to this. The DM is infinitely - infinitely - more important than the system. If he's moving onward, I'd grab onto his coat hold on so long as he'd have me.

WP

 

[Psion]

It depends on how the rules system doesn't meet with my requirements. A good DM can compensate for "back end" system issues and balance issues. A good DM can rarely compensate for "front end" issues, i.e., the fact that a system won't make a character I find interesting to play.

EDIT: On the other hand, a poor DM can make any system stink.

 

[Vegepygmy]

And, me being obtuse, I fail to see how anyone could say "no" to this. The DM is infinitely - infinitely - more important than the system.

Maybe a hyperbolic example will illuminate things for you.

I'm the greatest DM in the world. We're going to play a game using the following system: it's just like D&D/WFRP/Exalted/whatever you like to play, except that every time your character does anything, you also roll 1d6. On a 1-5, I kick you in the nuts as hard as I can. On a 6, I don't.

Since my greatness as a DM is infinitely more important than the system, you should be totally up for playing in my game...right?

 

[Ulrick]

It depends on how the rules system doesn't meet with my requirements. A good DM can compensate for "back end" system issues and balance issues. A good DM can rarely compensate for "front end" issues, i.e., the fact that a system won't make a character I find interesting to play.

EDIT: On the other hand, a poor DM can make any system stink.

Yeah, I was half-tempted to create another thread where both the system and the DM stunk, but thought better of it.

A poor DM can make people flee the hobby all together.

 

[Imban]

I generally side with the person running the game being more important, though there are a lot of games that I'd never want to play regardless of who was running them.

But like, I'm not going to lose sleep over you wanting to run Exalted, 4e D&D, Palladium Fantasy, or Middle Earth Roleplaying or Rolemaster instead of 2e AD&D or 3e D&D. It's going to be pretty much a similar kind of game, just with different rules that you like better and I don't like as much. But that's okay, because you're a good GM and it'll be a fun game.

If the game's Bliss Stage or the Maid RPG, I'll sit it out and you guys can have fun, because it's not going to be the same kind of game, and it'll be a kind of game I wouldn't enjoy playing even though you are a good GM.

 

[Silver Moon]

.....there is an outstanding Dungeon Master. He's had years of DMing experience, can tell the best stories, run the best adventures and is overall a really nice person.

The question is: would you play in the campaign and why?

A huge YES! Why...the first two sentences above said it all. An outstanding DM who tells the best stories will remain so regardless of the gaming system used. For example, I've been in probably close to a dozen different gaming systems run by Piratecat, and it is always a wonderful experience.