Comments on: Inq. of the Week: RPG System Showdown? http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/ The Journal of Gamer Culture Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:53:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Inq. of the Week: Modifying Your Game : Critical Hits http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69918 Inq. of the Week: Modifying Your Game : Critical Hits Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:54:20 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69918 [...] weeks ago, we asked one of the big questions: what RPGs are you playing? Unsurprisingly, given our audience, the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of D&D 4e, with nearly [...] [...] weeks ago, we asked one of the big questions: what RPGs are you playing? Unsurprisingly, given our audience, the vote was overwhelmingly in favor of D&D 4e, with nearly [...]

]]> By: DocFusion http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69903 DocFusion Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:40:09 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69903 Because the poll insisted I comment on what 'other system' I use - I shall. Apologies if this is the wrong place - I am an ubernoob here and am acting only out of ignorance not trollish malice or anything. I use an 'other' RPG system that I've been crafting myself. It's called Hydra, and it's a fusion system mashed out of old RPG's that have long crumbled into dust - well, the versions I've used have anyway. Now I've mutated them pretty much to a point where they vaguely resemble their original selves and have added a smattering of fudge for good measure. You can check it out over at http://fusionrpg.wordpress.com/ if it interests you. Or not. Choice be yours - arrh! (Have no idea why I went a bit pirate there!). .-= DocFusion´s last blog ..<a href="http://fusionrpg.wordpress.com/2010/03/20/playing-other-species-and-peppering-your-role-playing-with-humour/" rel="nofollow">Playing Other Species and Peppering your Role-playing with Humour</a> =-. Because the poll insisted I comment on what ‘other system’ I use – I shall. Apologies if this is the wrong place – I am an ubernoob here and am acting only out of ignorance not trollish malice or anything. I use an ‘other’ RPG system that I’ve been crafting myself. It’s called Hydra, and it’s a fusion system mashed out of old RPG’s that have long crumbled into dust – well, the versions I’ve used have anyway. Now I’ve mutated them pretty much to a point where they vaguely resemble their original selves and have added a smattering of fudge for good measure. You can check it out over at http://fusionrpg.wordpress.com/ if it interests you. Or not. Choice be yours – arrh! (Have no idea why I went a bit pirate there!).
.-= DocFusion´s last blog ..Playing Other Species and Peppering your Role-playing with Humour =-.

]]> By: Taellosse http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69810 Taellosse Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:56:26 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69810 The poll seems to be broken for me. The Vote button doesn't do anything and the View Results link doesn't either. But my (little) group just started up a Saga Edition Star Wars campaign (last night was our first session)--ironic, considering the status of the system. We put a D&D 4e game on hiatus in favor of this, and so far we're pretty happy with the decision. Last night was a blast, anyway. I'm also in the process of preparing a setting for us to run a homebrew fantasy campaign, using GURPS. This will be my second original fantasy campaign, and my fourth GMing gig (had a brief, abortive run of Vampire back in high school, and an almost equally brief stint as a D&D 4e GM before our current GM took up the reins instead). This new fantasy campaign is the latest in a string of choices for me to run. At first, it was going to be a modern-day psionics campaign (also in GURPS), then I got interested in running the new edition of Mage, and now I'm going back to my comfort zone with fantasy. The poll seems to be broken for me. The Vote button doesn’t do anything and the View Results link doesn’t either.

But my (little) group just started up a Saga Edition Star Wars campaign (last night was our first session)–ironic, considering the status of the system. We put a D&D 4e game on hiatus in favor of this, and so far we’re pretty happy with the decision. Last night was a blast, anyway.

I’m also in the process of preparing a setting for us to run a homebrew fantasy campaign, using GURPS. This will be my second original fantasy campaign, and my fourth GMing gig (had a brief, abortive run of Vampire back in high school, and an almost equally brief stint as a D&D 4e GM before our current GM took up the reins instead). This new fantasy campaign is the latest in a string of choices for me to run. At first, it was going to be a modern-day psionics campaign (also in GURPS), then I got interested in running the new edition of Mage, and now I’m going back to my comfort zone with fantasy.

]]> By: Zachary http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69751 Zachary Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:51:58 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69751 @Bartoneous: Well said! @Bartoneous: Well said!

]]> By: ChattyDM http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69744 ChattyDM Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:30:08 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69744 @Bartoneus: If by awkward you mean me with your mom, then yeah, it totally is. :D Seriously though, I also take it that this means that a majority of readers are interested in D&D (across editions) and makes discussing it across editions can lead to interesting discussions. The kind of discussions I like to have with readers, away from the mucks and uselessness of the edition wars. I don't deny our 4e slant, most of us here play it, but it's great material to ponder and make our content more awesome. @Bartoneus: If by awkward you mean me with your mom, then yeah, it totally is. :D

Seriously though, I also take it that this means that a majority of readers are interested in D&D (across editions) and makes discussing it across editions can lead to interesting discussions. The kind of discussions I like to have with readers, away from the mucks and uselessness of the edition wars.

I don’t deny our 4e slant, most of us here play it, but it’s great material to ponder and make our content more awesome.

]]> By: Bartoneus http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69743 Bartoneus Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:28:36 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69743 A lot of people have commented about whether this poll means 4E is really the most popular or just the most popular amongst Critical Hits readers, and I'd say the answer should be obvious: All this poll means is that out of anyone who comes to this site and votes, 4E is the most popular. This doesn't mean it's gained popularity or that any other RPG has lost players, and considering our site in any given month fluctuates in readers (new ones come, old ones leave, Phil sorta hangs around awkwardly all the time...) it's really not a good metric to go off of for the industry or RPGs as a whole. What it does tell me is that if we decided to feature some old-school D&D content, or 3.x stuff, that roughly 25% of you would be interested and that's a pretty decent number. Same goes for Savage Worlds, or Star Wars, the number of votes is greater than zero and for some of them it's actually a decent percentage so we know what people would like to read about. I'd say what I'm most interested in from this poll is all of the comments talking about what systems people are playing, the specifics of those games, and how many games each person is in. As RPG players it really doesn't matter what we play, just that we are playing and enjoying ourselves! A lot of people have commented about whether this poll means 4E is really the most popular or just the most popular amongst Critical Hits readers, and I’d say the answer should be obvious:

All this poll means is that out of anyone who comes to this site and votes, 4E is the most popular. This doesn’t mean it’s gained popularity or that any other RPG has lost players, and considering our site in any given month fluctuates in readers (new ones come, old ones leave, Phil sorta hangs around awkwardly all the time…) it’s really not a good metric to go off of for the industry or RPGs as a whole.

What it does tell me is that if we decided to feature some old-school D&D content, or 3.x stuff, that roughly 25% of you would be interested and that’s a pretty decent number. Same goes for Savage Worlds, or Star Wars, the number of votes is greater than zero and for some of them it’s actually a decent percentage so we know what people would like to read about.

I’d say what I’m most interested in from this poll is all of the comments talking about what systems people are playing, the specifics of those games, and how many games each person is in. As RPG players it really doesn’t matter what we play, just that we are playing and enjoying ourselves!

]]> By: Zachary http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69717 Zachary Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:47:46 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69717 Just put a hold on my Castles & Crusades campaign, firing up Mongoose Traveller! The stats are pretty much where I'd peg this as a primarily 4e blog. Interesting question! .-= Zachary´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.rpgblog2.com/2010/03/my-traveller-character-generation-rules.html" rel="nofollow">My Traveller Character Generation Rules</a> =-. Just put a hold on my Castles & Crusades campaign, firing up Mongoose Traveller!

The stats are pretty much where I’d peg this as a primarily 4e blog. Interesting question!
.-= Zachary´s last blog ..My Traveller Character Generation Rules =-.

]]> By: ScottM http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69710 ScottM Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:33:27 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69710 In my Sunday group, we're playing 4e. My Saturday group just finished a couple year stint of 3.5 with all the options, and will be creating characters for Aces and Eights on Saturday. In my Sunday group, we’re playing 4e. My Saturday group just finished a couple year stint of 3.5 with all the options, and will be creating characters for Aces and Eights on Saturday.

]]> By: Jonathan Drain http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69709 Jonathan Drain Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:25:47 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69709 I ran a survey on my blog last August. Here are the results, for comparison: D&D 3E: 60% D&D 4E: 55% Non-D&D RPG (total): 37% Pathfinder RPG: 28% Other D20 (Star Wars, True20, etc): 27% Other D&D (AD&D, BECMI, etc): 19% Savage Worlds: 6% GURPS: 4% Shadowrun: 4% Does this mean a lot of people have quit 3E in the past six months, or that D20 Source simply has more of a 3E following than Critical Hits? .-= Jonathan Drain´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.d20source.com/2010/03/happy-gms-day-2010" rel="nofollow">Happy GM’s Day 2010!</a> =-. I ran a survey on my blog last August. Here are the results, for comparison:

D&D 3E: 60%
D&D 4E: 55%
Non-D&D RPG (total): 37%
Pathfinder RPG: 28%
Other D20 (Star Wars, True20, etc): 27%
Other D&D (AD&D, BECMI, etc): 19%
Savage Worlds: 6%
GURPS: 4%
Shadowrun: 4%

Does this mean a lot of people have quit 3E in the past six months, or that D20 Source simply has more of a 3E following than Critical Hits?
.-= Jonathan Drain´s last blog ..Happy GM’s Day 2010! =-.

]]> By: Raevhen http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69699 Raevhen Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:28:33 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69699 I see 4e as an early leader, does that mean lots of people are playing it, or lots of Critical Hits readers play 4e? ~Rae~ I see 4e as an early leader, does that mean lots of people are playing it, or lots of Critical Hits readers play 4e?

~Rae~

]]> By: Robert Fisher http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69698 Robert Fisher Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:06:07 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69698 One Basic/Expert D&D (c. 1981) game and one Marvel Super Heroes game. One Basic/Expert D&D (c. 1981) game and one Marvel Super Heroes game.

]]> By: Vincent Diakuw http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69697 Vincent Diakuw Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:00:36 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69697 "Other systems" ... currently running Mutant Future. “Other systems” … currently running Mutant Future.

]]> By: MichaelTenery http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69692 MichaelTenery Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:15:05 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69692 We alternate between 4th ed D&D and a game called Imagine which is a both a skill and level based system with an emphasis on realism in combat and comprehensive rule set. We alternate between 4th ed D&D and a game called Imagine which is a both a skill and level based system with an emphasis on realism in combat and comprehensive rule set.

]]> By: callin http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69690 callin Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:39:53 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69690 Along with 4E D&D, my wife is running a game of old style Gamma World-the real 3rd edition of the game (not the d20 version). .-= callin´s last undefined ..<a href="0" rel="nofollow">If you register your site for free at </a> =-. Along with 4E D&D, my wife is running a game of old style Gamma World-the real 3rd edition of the game (not the d20 version).
.-= callin´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at =-.

]]> By: Brian http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69685 Brian Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:09:22 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69685 My other game is 7th Sea, being run by <a href="http://www.lurkingrhythmically.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Erin of Lurking Rhythmically</a>. I realize that's not scientific, but those are some very interesting results. .-= Brian´s last blog ..<a href="http://trollsmyth.blogspot.com/2010/03/building-better-adventurer-trap.html" rel="nofollow">Building a Better Adventurer Trap</a> =-. My other game is 7th Sea, being run by Erin of Lurking Rhythmically.

I realize that’s not scientific, but those are some very interesting results.
.-= Brian´s last blog ..Building a Better Adventurer Trap =-.

]]> By: Lugh http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69682 Lugh Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:18:38 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69682 Just finishing a D&D 3.5 campaign, and just getting ready to start a Swashbucklers of the Seven Skies campaign ( http://www.7skies.net/ ), which uses the PDQ# system. Still running an incredibly long Spycraft campaign. And I have SO many games on the shelf that I want to run. I'm also planning to put together a Dresden Files game when it comes out. .-= Lugh´s last blog ..<a href="http://immagini-di-vita.com/2010/03/04/how-fragile-we-are/" rel="nofollow">How fragile we are</a> =-. Just finishing a D&D 3.5 campaign, and just getting ready to start a Swashbucklers of the Seven Skies campaign ( http://www.7skies.net/ ), which uses the PDQ# system.

Still running an incredibly long Spycraft campaign.

And I have SO many games on the shelf that I want to run. I’m also planning to put together a Dresden Files game when it comes out.
.-= Lugh´s last blog ..How fragile we are =-.

]]> By: Whaddya Mean It’s Only Tuesday? « Old School Rant http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69681 Whaddya Mean It’s Only Tuesday? « Old School Rant Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:22:30 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69681 [...] Bartoneus at CH is taking a poll. Even if you don’t want to vote, check out the results… we really are a ‘niche of a niche’… [...] [...] Bartoneus at CH is taking a poll. Even if you don’t want to vote, check out the results… we really are a ‘niche of a niche’… [...]

]]> By: Cyric http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69677 Cyric Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:03:01 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69677 Playing AD&D 2nd again and have to admit I love it. Yeah, I'm working on houserules for some stuff but they are easy to integrate and can be adjust during game. The chance of breaking the game with one is very small indeed. The 2nd system I currently play is Warhammer Fantasy. I love the gritty feel of the world and the tough combat rules. 2 hits and a typical player is out. So they have to think instead of wading into a group of goblins just because they allready gained some levels. .-= Cyric´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.cyric.de/rollenspiel-blog/dd-4th-edition-eine-wasserstandsmeldung" rel="nofollow">D&D 4th Edition - Eine Wasserstandsmeldung</a> =-. Playing AD&D 2nd again and have to admit I love it. Yeah, I’m working on houserules for some stuff but they are easy to integrate and can be adjust during game. The chance of breaking the game with one is very small indeed.
The 2nd system I currently play is Warhammer Fantasy. I love the gritty feel of the world and the tough combat rules. 2 hits and a typical player is out. So they have to think instead of wading into a group of goblins just because they allready gained some levels.
.-= Cyric´s last blog ..D&D 4th Edition – Eine Wasserstandsmeldung =-.

]]> By: Chris Sniezak http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69675 Chris Sniezak Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:01:12 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69675 Playing D&D 4E, Call of Cthulhu, and Mouse Guard. Wanna play some 2nd edition or OD&D. I was playing in a 3.5 game for a bit and get into some different stuff at our local meet up. Cortex, Savage Worlds, Rogue Trader are all games I'd love to play too. Man. So many games, so little time. Playing D&D 4E, Call of Cthulhu, and Mouse Guard.
Wanna play some 2nd edition or OD&D. I was playing in a 3.5 game for a bit and get into some different stuff at our local meet up. Cortex, Savage Worlds, Rogue Trader are all games I’d love to play too. Man. So many games, so little time.

]]> By: Mike http://critical-hits.com/2010/03/08/inq-of-the-week-rpg-system-showdown/#comment-69674 Mike Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:57:33 +0000 http://critical-hits.com/?p=12421#comment-69674 I'm currently playing in a 3.5 campaign set in Ravenloft and another set in the Forgotten Realms. I'm playing in a Call of Cthulhu campaign (orignal/percentile). I'm DMing a 4e Forgotten Realms game and a Dark Heresy game. I'm really interested in playing/running Savage Worlds, Mutants & Masterminds, and an Retro-clone D&D game, but I really don't have the time right now. I’m currently playing in a 3.5 campaign set in Ravenloft and another set in the Forgotten Realms. I’m playing in a Call of Cthulhu campaign (orignal/percentile). I’m DMing a 4e Forgotten Realms game and a Dark Heresy game.

I’m really interested in playing/running Savage Worlds, Mutants & Masterminds, and an Retro-clone D&D game, but I really don’t have the time right now.

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