Fudge RPG - Crunchy Bits

[was "Shy Guy Reveals All"]
jughrin@yahoo.com wrote:
>I think the function in rpgs is to allow people to explore
>different aspects of their/human personality, or at least
>to give them min/max-ing opportunities while they
>do so. :)

How important *are* min-max opportunities in RPGs? Or more generally,
how important is the "game"?

How does "the game" relate to Fudge? My group seems to feel that
Fudge is anti-game and is somehow inherently different (and inferior)
to other games because you can't powergame or min-max in in, and
there aren't enough crunchy bits. I tend to disagree; the game will
be as crunchy as you make it, whether Fudge or D&D. But there is
still this weird perception that Fudge isn't an RPG, it is freeform
thespianism and everything is subjective. (This is in addition to the
assumption that Fudge is incomplete. I am starting to think that the
incompleteness accusation is related to the perceived lack of crunchy
bits, that for most people the crunchy bits ARE the game.)

BTW I am using the Robin Laws definition of crunchy bits here: those
things that define what the the PCs can do within the game. Crunchy
bits are not just rules, they are player knowledge of how things
work, and they are what make metagaming possible. When the crunchy
bits are well-defined, or there are a lot of them, players are
favored; when crunchy bits are few or vague, the GM is favored.

I now believe that lack of sufficient crunchy bits are behind my
group's aversion to Fudge. We've been playing D&D3, which is the
crunchiest game I've ever played. Champs is crunchy, but is balanced
by the freeform point-build system (which allows the GM great freedom
in how he builds and balances opponents) and also the limitation
system (which puts a check on players). D&D has no character
limitations at all, and the GM is hampered in his attempts to create
interesting opponents by the class/level/CR system. This makes for a
very tight system that players can predict and optimize characters
and tactics for, which greatly empowers them.

Anyway, how crunchy are your games? How much "game" do you
allow/insert in Fudge?

Mike

--
Mike Harvey -- Beaverton, OR
http://members.dsl-only.net/~bing/


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