This is a repost from Greywulf’s blog. It rings true enough to my needs as a role player to warrant a re-post. Although I can live with 3 core books… 😀 Maybe if enough of us post this, some wizards who work by the sea will take notice.
If you agree, please say so in comments… I’ll send a link back to Greywulf. If you disagree, feel free to tell me so and why! This will make an interesting discussion.
Also, I’m making this a Meme, I ask all DM bloggers to post it on their own blog and re-direct the feedback to Greywulf.
Edit: I’ve had several discussions on this today and am posting a slightly revised creed.
We, the undersigned……
- Demand a rules system that is consistent, clear and concise in all respects
- Want one book that contains character generation, the game rules and a wide and inspiring selection of opponents (Chatty DM: I disagree, I prefer Players, Rules Compendium and Organization/antagonists book separate)
- Expect regular supplements which take the game in fun, exciting and unexpected directions. Give us new monsters, new rules and new ideas, not formulaic repetition and rehashes of previous material
- Need published adventures created by the best minds in the industry that are fun to run and don’t require multiple rule books and monster manuals open at the table just to run a simple encounter. Give us all we need to run the encounter straight off the page
- Demand a system which works with (but doesn’t demand) miniatures, an internet connection or an electronic gaming aid. Let us choose how we play rather than be dictated by the financial interests of your company. Get this right and the profits will follow. Have faith in your customers, and they will have faith in you
Want a combat system which can scale with the number of opponents, whether it’s a single foe or a thousand screaming goblins. Demand a set of resolution systems (including combat) that can scale from quick one-roll resolution to fun and detail-producing minigame, both of which use the game’s basic resolution as the core.- Expect to be able to be able to create and customize monsters and NPCs simply, whether we be planning a scenario or sat at the table mid-game. We demand simplicity.
- Want stat blocks which take up a few lines of text, not a whole page
- Demand character generation that is as flexible and unrestricted as possible
- Expect the rules system to reflect the genre, not mould the genre into it’s image
- Want game designers who listen, not preach; improve, not re-invent; and inspire, not promote.
- Require a freely downloadable Test Drive Preview of the game with which we can run a sample adventure from start to end.
In return, we will…..
- Advocate, promote and play this game at every opportunity
- Make this game our game through customization of the classes, features and game world
- Introduce new players to the game, and thereby expand the hobby and profits of the company
- Buy the game, buy the supplements and buy the adventures, for they will be good, and worth our hard earned cash
- Have fun and be very, very happy indeed!!
signed
ChattyDM, taken from Greywulf, and modified based on discussions on this site. (With Thanuir’s feedback)
(add your name in the comments and/or cross-post in your blog if you agree).
I love this! I can think of any number of game systems, that in the past have let me down, based on this creed.
It would be great if game publishers heeded such sound advice. This would be a great T-Shirt idea for GenCon.
Posted on Dungeon Mastering dot com. I agree with everything in there.
In my inexperienced perception, that sounds perfect, a great list of what makes a good system.
A few individual comments:
1-4. Yes, the basics, that are so easily missed.
5. Ditto.
Although I don’t know that it’s necessarily the case that building a loyal fan-base by being good is the best/only was to succeed — I’d like to think it is, and would act as if it is in order to encourage it being, but it’s always possible screwing over your customers is the most financially rewarding activity 🙁 🙂
6. Yes, although as far as I know, most dnd campaigns manage without mass combat. It would be much better if it were possible, but not necessary.
11. I know what you mean, although the actually great designers (in all things) often can produce things better than you knew you wanted. Perhaps, “only dismissing demand if you have an actual reason, rather than just because”? 🙂
12. Oh yes, what a great idea. It works for software, it works for drugs. How else are you supposed to get into it? I guess you’re trading customers who buy on spec for customers who buy once they’re hooked, but the latter must be better, right?
Sorry, I didn’t have a coherent point, just a few reactions.
The same on published material, supplements. Of course, it depends what you need — some people do want a fair dungeon crawl generated for them. But it’s hard to tell looking at an adventure if it does the things you’d need, or the things you don’t…
I signed under on Greywulf’s site, but wanted to sign here as well. Do you have a contact link? I want to send you an invite into Silvervine’s playtester’s page, but I don’t want to make it public. Send me an email at arcadian (@@) silvervinegames com and I’ll send you a link and password
Do I get to be the only one who disagrees?
Specifically, with two and three.
I want an affordable set of core books that contain anything and everything necessary to play. I want free supplements that work with those core books and handle obscure or optional parts of the game. I want more affordable books that are all complete games in and of themselves that build on the developments of the original game, but are different enough to justify the price.
As for number 6, I demand a set of resolution systems that can scale from quick one-roll resolution to fun and detail-producing minigame, both of which use the game’s basic resolution as the core.
Otherwise pretty much fine. But I seriously doubt I’ll be paying for any game that doesn’t include my modified number six. They just are not worth the money.
Actually you aren’t the only one to disagree. Graham has a few choice words I’ll let him post about.
I myself mentioned that I can live with multiple core books. But it didn’t invalidate the rest (I have a big picture personality).
As for your 6 point, I don’t have a problem with swapping the points…. It is more inclusive, includes combat and includes Greywulf’s own Micro20 adaptation…
So I’ll edit the creed and mark credit where it’s due.
Tommi, good call. I like your change; systems should just scale, whether it’s combat or any other form of interraction. Well said.
Disagreement is good my friend 🙂
As regards why I want (nay, Demand!) one book rather than three as Core, there’s several reasons for it which I’ll tell you all about….. in my blogpost tomorrow 🙂
Heh.
EDIT: I rant about the Three Book Sacred Cow over in Save or Die, Issue 4 too. The article is here: http://home.greywulf.net/saveordie/?q=node/32
I have a few issues with it too. #5’s point about miniatures particularly. I use minis extensively in D&D, but there are many other games that I play that I don’t think need support for minis, and may even detract a bit.
I heartily endorse this. I really want to be able to play with little investment and to have flexible options (our group is spread out across the state and now the country, and it sucks). If the product is good, we’ll talk it up and use it and, when able, buy more.
Two Words:
Ars. Magica.