> To rob a topic from another group, "Why
> isn't there a game system out there
> designed directly for online gaming?"
Designing games systems is something I've been taking a whack at for
quite some time. What most of the other responses to this posting say is
true, online play doesn't really effect the way the rules of a game work.
That's probably why there isn't one out there that was designed specifically
for it (at least that I know of), lack of necessity.
That's not to say that designing a roleplaying system around the
benefits of online roleplaying isn't possible, or even a good idea.
Firstly, I'm assuming that we're talking about the more "real time"
forms of online play, as PBEM, etc. allow you enough time to work the rules
however you want to. Outside of someone's personal game system preferences
(how much detail in gameplay, the mechanics of sundry subjects), I would say
that the real quest for designing an online game system is to take advantage
of all the benefits of online gaming. Specifically, that it's easier to
store a massive amount of info about your character (just how many megabytes
do you expect you can take up with different skills, eh?), and the fact that
it's probably better to have either: A) all the players well versed enough
in the rules that not much needs to be explained online during gameplay
(don't forget modifier a, b, and c, and make sure to add your bonus from
factors x and y) or B) have a game system that does not have enough rules
(ie. complexity) for that to be a problem.
To me, this paints a picture of a game with the capability to make up
for a simplistic rules system with lots of character specifics. As in, why
bother with having a modifier when trying disarm an opponent (as opposed to
a standard attack) when you can have "Disarm" as an entirely seperate skill?
While I'm on the subject, anyone else play on WebRPG or other online
games frequently? (as I'm looking to start doing so myself, you see)
:) Zealot
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