From: Curtis Shenton (curtiss@netcom.com)
Date: Sat 24 Jul 1993 - 01:42:38 EEST
> Everyone seems to assume that simpler mechanics inevitably
> result in a less realistic system. Some folks seem to feel that this
> principle may be inverted, as well: more complex rules produce a more
> realistic game. This is not necessarily true, I think.
I agree. And I think the only excuse for complicated rules is realism.
If the rules are complex and/or combat is slow and the game isn't very
realistic then their is something wrong with the game. I don't think
Glorantha demands some higher level of realism than the world of Elric
yet it seems(I haven't yet seen playtest copy of RQIV) that RQIV is
going to be a much more complictaed game.
>
> Is it really necessary to produce a rules system that can
> realistically simulate such a vast range of possible actions?
> Perhaps it would be a better idea to simply incorporate into the
> rules a simple statement to the effect that unless otherwise dictated
> by magic or supernatural effects, common sense and logic are the
> guiding principles for game-world actions and events.
>
> I mean, at the rate things are going the basic RQIV book is going
> to be bigger than the entire line of AD&D garbage! Many people I know
> refuse to play RQ because they feel that it's an unlearnable and overly-
> massive system. How are they going to react to the grossities that seem
> to be in the works? If RuneQuest IV fails to pull in new players then
> the system is not going to go anywhere, and may well become a Net-only
> affair. If that.
I'd like to see a simple and elegant system rather than a system bigger
than RQIII. I'm all in favor of RQ Lite myself. And from what I've ehard
from people who've spoken to Greg he's in favor of a simpler game than
RQIII too.
>
> In any case, if the rumors about Ken Rolston no longer being
> RQ Czar are true...is there a new RQ Czar? If not, I shudder to think
> what might happen to RQIV. Maybe Nick Atlas will be re-hired to do
> a rush job. 8^O}
I hope Ken sticks around. But even if the rumors are right and he's just
going to be a freelance editor for AH I think RQ can still do well. Even
AH isn't stupid enough to hire Nick Atlas back.
>
> -->Pete
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Peter Maranci Malden, Massachusetts
> pete@slough.mit.edu or rune@trystero.com
> "Hey! Your Tien fell in my Atyar!" "Well, your Atyar got in my Tien!"
> Thanatar -- two great Chaos Gods that go great together!
>
-- Curtis Shenton curtiss@netcom.com internet & 4@3091 WWIVnet Currently designing a fantasy setting for WotC. If you are interested in baroque steampunk technology in a fantasy setting and want to playtest email me and I'll give you the info on joining the mailing list. 0,,
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