Today will be different though. Today is special you see. It's my 38th Anniversary in the RPG hobby. That's right, 38 years of gaming. I know in my gut, that today's question will be creative, fun, and...
Seriously dude? Seriously?
I'm sure there are dozens of 'revolutionary' game mechanics, hundreds even, and not a one, not a bloody, single one, is my favorite.
How would you even quantify that?
Basic D&D was revolutionary, as it was the first game of its kind.
Nearly every system since Basic D&D was innovative beyond compare when only a handful of other games existed.
Champions was a revolutionary game when it introduced point buy character generation to the level it utilizes it.
West End Games' Ghostbusters, and Star Wars, were a breath of fresh air when they became the first popular games to use dice pools in their mechanics.
What's my favorite mechanic that no one used before? I have no freaking clue. Most of those games came out over 30 years ago. Are games using those rules now revolutionary? No, but is the originator still revolutionary 30 years later? I guess. I don't see how I'm supposed to answer this.
On top of all this, I don't care for mechanics so much. I said in my previous RPGaDay Challenge entry that I tend to downplay the game rules, sweep them under the rug so they don't get in the way of the game.
You're asking which of the things I don't care that much about do I like the most? Frell if I know.
I guess I vote dice pools.
I am really hoping for a different approach to the questions next year.
So is Barkley.
AD
Barking Alien
I think it would challenging to come up with 30 questions and have them not all repeat from the previous year.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I get that. I know I'm being unduly harsh on the Challenge. The OP is trying you can tell, but damn, THE GRAMMAR! If some of these were worded just a bit differently, I would have a clearer idea of what is being asked, and therefore find them easier to answer.
DeleteMy main issue though is that for some of these things I don't have a favorite (i.e.: One I like more than the others). Favorite revolutionary mechanic? I've been gaming 38 years. There are literally hundreds, none of which I consider revolutionary anymore as I've used them hundreds of times. Favorite Horror game? Hmmm. Don't like any of them enough to push one ahead of the others.
Instead of Favorite this, or that, how about, 'How do you handle X?', or 'Why do you think X?' Requires more thought, but easier to comprehend.
I assume they are deliberately broad because they are intended as a conversation starter, not a test question. Answer them however you like - just we like we treat RPG rules a lot of the time! It's pretty true to the hobby right? People interpret them differently, handle them differently, and there's really no "wrong" solution.
ReplyDeleteMaybe next year could take an "actual play" theme and cover specific situations in with some more of the "favorite" type questions. Maybe some of us could come up with our own set and put together an "Actual Play October" theme.
That's actually a great idea, although I'd prefer September over October. Many bloggers, myself included to some degree, save October for spooky, Halloween themed posts.
DeleteLove it Blacksteel. Good thinking.
I was worried doing it in September might be too quick a turnaround. Happy to start bouncing some ideas around though.
DeleteI'd love to, and I agree about September. November maybe? We'll talk.
Delete