System matters? A high level overview of whether system matters or not in roleplaying games. Sean’s 5E game kicks off, sort of. Die roll: Brett takes notes! Sean mentions some sci-fi games and settings.

Announcements

First itunes reviews. Thanks to Zave! and Kevthuhlu!

Shout outs to: Chad Knight and Moe Tousignant!

Random Encounter

Email from Chad Knight – Re: Episode 04 – How did you get into gaming?

Sean’s Roll20 5e kick off session

Topic of Discussion – System Matters

  • Does system matter?
    • why
    • why not
  • Define ‘system’
  • Define ‘role playing game’ – touching on John Wick’s article (http://johnwickpresents.com/games/game-designs/chess-is-not-an-rpg-the-illusion-of-game-balance/) and why its important not to take anyone’s writing too far before you ask grown-up questions.
  • Different types of systems
    • Difference between generic and nongeneric systems
    • d20
    • GURPS
    • FATE
    • Savage Worlds
    • Edge of the Empire/FFG Star Wars
    • d6 Star Wars
    • Gumshoe – Esoterists, Trail of Cthuhlu
    • Hero
    • Basic Roleplaying
    • OSR
    • Indie games
      • Fiasco
      • Primetime Adventures
      • Dogs in the Vineyard
      • Apocalypse World
      • Sorcerer
  • What does a system do/provide? A mechanism to have collaborative fun?  Something else?
  • If you’re not abiding by the system – are you playing the game?

Die Roll

Brett

  1. Sci-Fi – need to do a sci-fi game with my group. This group hasn’t done one so I need to do that after this current game wraps up.
  2. Alpha’s wedding celebration
  3. I take notes in game now – ‘cause I’m old…
  4. Bone Armor – http://io9.com/remarkable-3-900-year-old-suit-of-bone-armor-found-in-s-1632366327

Sean

  1. Scifi space theme
    1. Interstellar movie, Nov 7th, Christopher Nolan & Matthew McCaughnehey
    2. Stars Without Number – old school d&d rules, space setting
    3. The Last Parsec – Savage Worlds on Kickstarter
    4. Star Frontiers
    5. Traveller
About the Author
The 'S' of Gaming and BS podcast. Besides producing and hosting the show, Sean enjoys long walks on the beach, running rpg's, and killing player...characters.