Would you be satisifed with d20 as your only RPG? [Ties into RyanD's blog entry.]

[JVisgaitis]

D20? No.

OGL? Maybe.

I think its reasonable to assume d20 = OGL since the mechanics are so close.

 

[Turjan]

I think its reasonable to assume d20 = OGL since the mechanics are so close.

It's also the way how the blog was meant. This follows from this paragraph:

Here are some reasons not to avoid D20: You think it is too complex (the complexity of D20 is wholly within the control of the designer)... You feel that Hit Points, Armor Class, Vancian spellcasting, classes, levels, etc. restrict or limit, or in some other way restrict you from expressing your “vision” (all those things are designer options, not features of the system, and can be discarded, modified, or ignored once you understand how to use the whole D20 toolbox).

This means that True20, C&C, Conan or M&M are considered d20 in the context of this topic.

As far as the original question is concerned, I'd have to say No, even if my gaming is pretty much centered on d20. Sometimes, I like a different feel in a game than just killing things and taking their stuff. That's where d20 meets its limits. Though I have to admit that the game designers managed to sneak in lots of mechanics from some of my other favorite games during the last few years.

 

[diaglo]

I practically am. Past Shadowrun 3e, D20 is all I play.

can i just say that there is a reason i nominated Shadowrun last year for the ENnies. and to paraphrase the guy from the ENnies last year when it won: "d02 causes cancer"

 

[Ourph]

I think its reasonable to assume d20 = OGL since the mechanics are so close.

That the point though, the mechanics can be changed drastically with an OGL game. D20 STL products are limited in how much they can be changed from the rules in the SRD by the license. OGL games are not limited in that way. OSRIC (essentially AD&D 1e reworded) is OGL, but it's not what most people would think of as D20. You don't even have to use a d20 in an OGL game if you don't want to. You could use coin flips or cards. You don't even have to use dice at all.

 

[Rothe]

I'd be happy to play d20, but as the only system, never.

 

[EricNoah]

are you satisifed enough with d20 that you never need to play another RPG again? (I would have made this a poll, but I wanted more then a yes or no answer.)

Yes. But ... I play d20 because it's D&D. I play D&D as my only RPG. It's a vicious circle.

 

[Desdichado]

Yes. But ... I play d20 because it's D&D. I play D&D as my only RPG. It's a vicious circle.

See... and conversely, while I answered yes to d20/OGL, the answer would definately be no if the question were about D&D specifically.

But that kinda gets into Dancey's point too--I like running stuff (and playing, too) that's not very Tolkien-like.

 

[WhimsyTheFae]

It's also the way how the blog was meant. This follows from this paragraph:

This means that True20, C&C, Conan or M&M are considered d20 in the context of this topic.

Good point...in that case, I say - Yes.

 

[Greg K]

I'd say no unless more companies started moving away from the standard d20 class/level structure with built in bab, hit die, and save progressions and specific carrot abilities(e.g., sneak attack, smite evil, wild shape, etc.) at various levels. As it currently stands, the only d20/ogl games that I would play licensed setting under are Mutants and Masterminds and BESMd20.

oh, and they would have to make other changes as well (e.g, make armor and defense work like M&M)

 

[DragonLancer]

I haven't seen any threads on this, but I thought this blog entry by RyanD was a really good read. Granted it pertains to me since I fancy myself a game designer, but I think its interesting even if you're just a player.

What I really was curious about was in one of his comments Ryan said that about 80% of the player base isn't concerned with the system at all and they just want to play in a game. I never thought about that before. I've always been content with d20 being my only outlet for roleplaying, but I thought I was the exception and not the norm.

So after all my babbling, the big question is are you satisifed enough with d20 that you never need to play another RPG again? (I would have made this a poll, but I wanted more then a yes or no answer.)

Never. D20 is a good system but it doesn't cover all genres very well. For fantasy it's tops, but for horror or sci-fi, there are better systems out there.