What is a "Light" RPG? What is a "Crunchy" RPG?

[Reynard]

Well, we might as well do this.

What do you consider a "rules light" RPG and what do you consider a "crunchy" rpg? What re the parameters? What are good examples of either? What games hiot the sweet spot for you as to level of light versus crunch?

 

[mamba]

Light: few (and flexible) rules, narrative focus over defined, detailed mechanics. Not sure where I draw the line, I usually end up on what I consider medium games (I consider D&D and Savage Worlds medium), maybe DungeonWorld and lighter?

Heavy: many moving pieces / individual bonuses / skills, etc. or complex rules with individual exceptions and lookups. GURPS, PF2, maybe 3e and 4e as the lower end

 

[Reynard]

narrative focus over defined, detailed mechanics.

I don't think "narrative focus" is a requirement for rules light games, and some narrative games (like FATE) can be quite crunchy.

 

[Simlasa]

For me... I might delineate them as 'lite' being a game that, once I learn it, I can run/play without having to refer to the rulebook. Whereas a 'crunchy' game would often (but not necessarily always) require referencing something out of the book during a session.
So, for me, Call of Cthulhu (6e and earlier) is lite, but Rolemaster would be crunchy.
I put no value judgement on one vs. the other though.

 

[Corinnguard]

What do you consider a "rules light" RPG and what do you consider a "crunchy" rpg?

Light: Few, but easily rememberable and interpretable rules.
Crunchy: Lengthy, extensive and detail-laden rules that require constant referencing.

What re the parameters?

I am not sure. Light and Crunchy are pretty subjective terms.

What are good examples of either?

A good example of a crunchy RPG is Pathfinder 1st edition. PF1 leaves very little up to interpretation when it comes to covering every aspect of the RPG. It wants to very much inform the GM and the players on what they can and cannot do during an adventure. However, the downside to this, is that it requires both to constantly reference its' material.

I haven't come across an RPG that is rules light. I think RPGs such 5e D&D and Level Up are somewhere between Light and Crunchy. Level Up is crunchier than 5e D&D, but in a good way.

What games hiot the sweet spot for you as to level of light versus crunch?

5e D&D and Level Up.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Light (or lite) games are, to me, games that are contained in less than 6 pages. Preferably two.

I can make an exception for games that have that much in terms of actual rules, and then give you additional stuff (lore-type stuff) to help explain the setting.

But yeah. Most of the light games I play and design are between 2-4 pages.

 

[borringman]

Well, you're probably going to get a lot of varying definitions.

For me it comes down to, how long does it take to resolve a situation within the rules. A "crunchy" system will involve some combination of:

• Frequency of needing to look up rules
• Length of time needed to read a rule
• Time needed to apply the rule
• Number of variables modified by resolution of rules

The stickler is that not every game will have all of them, and some people define some of these as "crunchy" and not others. So a game could be extremely tedious at one thing but isn't "crunchy" because it's good at something else. To me, it's ultimately a clock issue. If player says "I do thing" and then everyone has to stop for 30 minutes to figure it out, whatever they spend those 30 minutes doing, you might have a crunchy system. (It might still be fun, but definitely not for those wanting faster pace.)

But there's another issue, and I'm gonna point it out: You could have a "rules lite" system in that the generic core resolution mechanic is a single short paragraph but it still takes everyone stopping for 30 minutes every time to figure out how to do thing. They're not sticking their noses in books, they're deliberating in confusion, so it's somehow better? Just because a game isn't crunchy, doesn't mean it's elegant.

 

[payn]

Is it this time again?

I take a different tact than most on the topic. I find light games to be those that are generally easy to learn and play. As in, you know how it goes within 1-2 sessions. Maybe an occasional chart to reference or item to look up, but learning and playing come quickly and easily. A crunchy game is one that takes a lot of time to learn and become proficient in. Looking up references is necessary and common in every session. The game is a set of numerous sub-systems that come together for a holistic experience. Lastly, I dont believe in rules medium. I think folks that are gamers forget their decades of experience has led them to quickly absorbing rulesets. Especially, those they have familiarity with like D&D.

 

[Reynard]

Is it this time again?

It seemed time.

Lastly, I dont believe in rules medium. I think folks that are gamers forget their decades of experience has led them to quickly absorbing rulesets. Especially, those they have familiarity with like D&D.

You don't think there is a continuum of difficulty to learn, where there must be come games in the middle?

 

[payn]

You don't think there is a continuum of difficulty to learn, where there must be come games in the middle?

I really dont. Im also speaking in generalities on purpose. I know different folks learn at different speeds. I also know page count doesnt mean anything in a vacuum.