All Entries Tagged With: "Rules"
Where is the Future of Role-Playing Games?–I expected it Last Year
RPGs in their current form date from the early 1970s and there is very little difference between a 2010 game and a 1976 game. Oh, the rules are more complex, statistically balanced and slickly produced, but the underlying structure of the game is unchanged. Gamers purchase rule books filled with game rules and fluffy campaign [...]
RPG Rule Mechanics: Universal Versus Varied
Role-Playing game rule systems fall into two categories: universal and varied. Universal games use a single mechanic for every action. “Alpha Omega” uses the same skill check system for everything from picking locks to shooting a pistol. Varied systems like some older “Dungeons and Dragons” versions use percentile for picking locks and a d20 mechanic [...]
Nominations for Worst Role-Playing Game Rule or Mechanic
Rules are a critical element of all role-playing games, but sometimes they are less than optimal. Oh hell, let us be honest. Some role-playing game rules are just stupid. Not “slightly off” or “in need of some work,” I mean completely lobotomized stupid. The kind of rules that make you wonder what the designer smoked [...]
Fakiness: Bring Back Tripping in 4th Edition!
This post is not about old vs new school. It is not about game balance or appropriateness. Nor is it about ho accurate the rules are in simulating “reality” in 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons. It is about fakiness. “Fakiness” is my term for the ability of any role-playing game to accurately simulate the completely [...]
Review: Eoris Preview Module–The Third Contact
“Visions of Essence” released some new information about their “Eoris” role-playing game in the form of the “Third Contact.” The “Third Contact” is a free pdf download that contains some basic rules, maps and a short introductory module. Normally I would not review a “preview” release, but there is so much interest in this game [...]
