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Message: <blockquote data-quote="eyebeams" data-source="post: 3280874" data-attributes="member: 9225">In RPGs? I'll just mention some areas that need to be explored:1) Linear instead of orthogonal buy-in. Mentzer D&D was the only RPG that ever took this model to its end. Games keep being designed to be playable for all time in one or a few books -- a strategy that encourages gamers to make their purchases and never come back unless they're dedicated fans. Attempts at "basic games" have always managed to be made redundant by their fully developed "big brothers."2) Evolving storylines have yet to be done properly. Traditional metaplots are a nightmare for creative staff because they create continuity issues over time. CCG and novel-style nodal events have been tried in RPGs, and generally only succeed when there's actual corssover from a CCG or popular novel series (and in L5R's case, that's made the RPG largely a CCG fan purchase). Otherwise, they simply bomb, a la Heavy Gear. Exalted has hit closest to the mark so far by encouraging the fiction that it doesn't have a storyline when really, the fanbase knows full well what that storyline would be.3) I think it's about time for a more upbeat modern fantasy game. Previous attempts have either been tied to another complex IP (Changeling, Urban Arcana) or to generic (Deliria, Dreaming Cities). As a matter of fact, don't be surprised when you hear more about this in the near future.</blockquote>