Comments on: Role-Playing Games Designed for Busy, Adult Gamers

By: MJ Harnish

MJ Harnish — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:26:25 +0000

This post is for you Trask: http://rpg.brouhaha.us/?p=1145

If you want to know anything about any of the games I’ve listed, just leave a comment and I’ll be happy to answer questions – I’ve played and own almost all of the ones I’ve listed.

By: MJ Harnish

MJ Harnish — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:50:56 +0000

You don’t need to write a RPG (though you’re free to do so); all you need to do is step away from the main stream publishers and have a look. I can name, literally dozens, of indie RPGs that are:
1) designed for adults
2) have little to no prep
3) are designed for single session or short-term campaigns
4) require fewer than 4 players total.
5) are rules “light” or easy to learn

Some suggestions: InSpectres, Wilderness of Mirrors, In a Wicked Age, Primetime Adventures, 3:16, Dogs in the Vineyard, Swashbucklers of the 7 Skies, Donjon, Zorcerer of Zo, Sorcerer, Grey Ranks, Houses of the Blooded, Mouse Guard, Spirit of the Century…. the list goes on and on.

By: Siskoid

Siskoid — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:50:42 +0000

Yes, simpler doesn’t mean simpler plots. We ARE talking about more mature storytelling after all. It’s about simplifying mechanics because time-challenged older gamers don’t have time to learn complex rules, and then to apply those rules inside a 3-4 hour game that should ideally have a beginning, middle and end.

Reduce the number of overall fights in a story to those you might expect in an action movie and keep them as brisk, and you’ll have plenty of time for social interaction and getting to know the NPCs.

Simplified rule-playing, not role-playing.

By: labsenpai

labsenpai — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:24:16 +0000

The method I employ combines the best game plots with the most streamlined rules. As GM, I get to enjoy mature storytelling gleaned from the resources, without waiting for the \dice algebra\. I did this to quicken some complex adventures from the erudite DELTA GREEN setting (normally CoC rules).

By: Tommi

Tommi — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:23:34 +0000

Ameron; It was really surprising to see how fast events started unfolding in the game when combats are resolved in a roll or two (as opposed to an hour or two) and when everyone drives the game forward; GM does not hide things or create contrived plots, but rather presents a situation and lets players loose upon it.

So, if you want a faster game, start actively revealing things to players and encourage them to take action.

By: Ashy

Ashy — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:01:07 +0000

@Ameron – we had the same fears, which is why we’ve built in roleplaying as PART of our core mechanics to play Untold. You can’t get away from it; after a while, the mechanics become transparent and all that leaves is tons of storytelling fun.

But don’t take my word for it – see what other folks are saying about Untold here:
http://www.untoldthegame.com/testimonial

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:58:08 +0000

I also want to suggest Savage Worlds; the only problem with it is that it’s different gaming philosophy might take some time getting used to. Once you get past that buffer, however, the game is quite fast with very little prep.

By: jonathan

jonathan — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:42:53 +0000

I’m surprised there’s been no mention of Savage Worlds here. It’s a great lightwieght system that places all the emphasis on “action” style roleplaying without a 80lb crate of books to support it. 4E also can be fast, but that is only assuming everyone at the table knows the rules cold, and the GM sticks to somekind of turn time limit (I do, it’s 15 seconds or you lose your turn).

By: Ameron

Ameron — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:09:35 +0000

MY fear is that any attempt to make RPGs simpler and easier hurts the role-playing. Most articles I’ve read about speeding up game play (or in this case simplifying it) all revolve around combat. The idea is that if combat is faster you can fight more monsters more often on any given game night. But if you try to speed up the role-playing and character development you loose something vital to RPGs. I don’t have a solution to this problem; I’m just throwing my 2 cents into this discussion. If we can come up wit a way to speed up all aspects of the game I’d be very happy.

By: Ashy

Ashy — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:46:45 +0000

Trask,

Again, this very issue was one of the things that led us to the design of Untold – you can learn the rules in 35 mins. or less and create characters in seconds! :)