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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Fenris-77" data-source="post: 9764153" data-attributes="member: 6993955">I don't think we've been shorted on the crunch side, nor that there's really a big pendulum to swing. High crunch systems are a LOT of work to design and write and I think that at least to some degree the prevalance of lighter systems reflects the changing complexion of who writes RPGs and how as much as it does any other particular trends in the hobby. Small and one-man indie operations just aren't as likely to even try and produce 500 page rules-dense tomes. I'm sure it happens, but I think it's a very particular itch that a lot of designers don't feel the need to scratch. You can't riff on HERO system in an interesting way and produce a fun little game or adventure in the same way you can with Knave, say. A trend I do think plays in is that many RPGs are far more likely now than previously in the hobby to be very focused in tone, genre and content. Very specific in other words, and very specific games also don't need high-crunch design in most cases.A historical look at the hobby certainly reveals the something that looks like the trend you identify of course. There was a time where high crunch rules, and universal rules systems, were a coming thing. I don't think that this is simply evidence of changing tastes in the marketplace though as much as it reflects a historical moment in the devleopment of RPGs, and one that can't be repeated.</blockquote>