At 12:59 AM 6/14/2001 -0600, a & g wrote:

>     What kind of game system do you prefer? One that is relatively simple
>and fast, or one that is detailed and complex (and more time consuming)?
>     I'm creating a game, you see. I'd welcome lots of input.
>     :)


As so many people have said, it depends upon the flavor you want to create, 
and the style of GM you want to attract.

The concept is that simple and complex itself.  *smiles*

You definitely won't get the same answer from every GM or every 
player.  You might not even get a concensus.  And while one GM says that 
one style of game requires a certain sort of system, I'd probably 
disagree.  For example, I've played story-oriented games run with 
Champions.  Hells, I've run them, and yeah, I even used dice.  *grins*

In general, though, I suppose you could say that GMs who want to run 
story-intensive games want to be able to run in a system where the dice are 
useful, but not intrusive.  I don't want to roll "flattery" when I can 
roleplay it, although a subtle roll in the background by the GM isn't 
bad.  (This is when prerolled charts are so good for being unnoticable).

Then there are GMs who want to run gritty games where there are high risks 
and every die roll adds an element of chance to that risk, and suddenly the 
entire plot could change because you rolled a 3.

And then there's everything in between.

I guess you could say my opinion is that there is no right answer.  I 
prefer to avoid dice.  I like running what I call freeform (although I've 
been told its not true freeform... *shrugs*  whatever).  The rules are 
loose, the dice are pretty much absent, and the interaction of story, 
characters and plot are key.

But then, I've also had a huge collection of d6 just so I could have the 
biggest blast in Champions.  Not to mention having run many many combats, 
both diceless and with dice (I remember one of my players grousing "I would 
like to make an activation roll."  My return, "well, roll the dice 
Marc."  And him, "I have.  Five times.  Haven't made one yet."  I 
laughed.  The element of dice meant he was sitting there basically snapping 
his fingers trying to turn his bloody power on *laughter*).

So, good luck... if you're trying to write a system, it'll never be 
perfect.  some people will love it, some will hate it.  If you're lucky, 
it'll become a major cult war like diceless vs diced.  *chuckles*

Good luck.  Writing a system is hard work.  Mine has never been finished 
and will likely continue to reside in my head for the next 20 years, like 
it has for the last 15.  *smiles*

D.

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