What is the next great evolution in RPG design?

[Kester Pelagius]

Greetings All,

Since the infancy of role-playing, way back when the term 'Fantasy Wargaming' was considered synonymous with 'RPG', there have been preconceived notions of what constitutes a proper game.  Now what one gamer might mean by 'game' can, and often does, vary from group to group.  Too, it will likely depend largely upon the sort of game, and rules found therein, that is being played, not just the setting or even the milieu.  Yet what is considered to be a role-playing game has undergone many changes over the years since D&D was first published.  The rules of play have evolved and matured, often along with the players.  Which brings me to the reason for this post.

Given the variety of styles and milieu of role-playing game that have been developed here at The Forge and are currently under development what do you think the future of role-playing games will bring?

I realize there have been many trends, not just in Indie game design, but also in the mainstream of the hobby.  Much has changed, from D20 and the OGLs to the ability of game designers to use the Internet to get their games to a wider audience than they might have been otherwise able too just a decade ago.  Keeping that in mind. . .

What direction do you foresee the games of the future taking?

Do you think that the theories currently discussed here will have any impact on them?

What sorts of innovations in game design and play would you like to see?


Kind Regards,

Kester Pelagius

[Bruce Baugh]

There's room for a game - or rather lots of games - that provide useful advice to folks involved in freeform "simming" and to people interested in a bit more structure for their gaming.

[Kester Pelagius]

Greetings,

Looks like I am going to have to stir up the ant pile.

Ok, 70+ views and 1 response.  Not bad.  But, people, if you can find the time to argue about whether or not Monopoly is a RPG you obviously have something to say about the direction RPGs are going, could take, might take, or possibly should have taken.

Or do those engaged in such arguements have no true opinions but rather prefer to engage in pointless debates purely to hone their debating skills?  If that's the case then, by all means, remain silent.  Otherwise your input and opinions would be much appreciated.

Unless you think that RPGs have no future.  That there are no innovations waiting in the wings because, like Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun.  Even so that's an opinion.  Let it be known.

Thanks all.


Kind Regards,

Kester Pelagius

[Kester Pelagius]

There's room for a game - or rather lots of games - that provide useful advice to folks involved in freeform "simming" and to people interested in a bit more structure for their gaming.

Could you expand upon that?

[quozl]

I think we're going to see a lot more RPGs like Monopoly.

No, I'm not kidding.

[Mike Holmes]

I think a lot of this issue got hashed out in the thread on Holographics, oddly enough.

Also, when a person sees the next evolution, doesn't he go off and make it? That is, I don't think anyone knows. Or the question would be moot, and we'd be pointing at that visionary.

Mike

[Walt Freitag]

I agree with Bruce, except that I'd substitute "system tools" where he said "advice."

Yeah, I've said this before. And yeah, I'm working on it.

- Walt

[Ron Edwards]

Hey

Christopher (Kester), you wrote,

do those engaged in such arguements have no true opinions but rather prefer to engage in pointless debates purely to hone their debating skills? If that's the case then, by all means, remain silent.

That was obnoxious and provocative. Don't do that again, please.

Best,
Ron

[C. Edwards]

Hey Kester,

I'm not half as concerned about the evolution of rpgs as I am about the evolution of the rpg gamer.  The level of awareness among gamers as to the possibilities offered by existing games (and I suppose games yet to be designed) needs a severe boost.  I consider The Forge to be a nice comfy ray of light shining down upon the path out of the gaming dark ages.

-Chris

[Paul Czege]

But, people, if you can find the time to argue about whether or not Monopoly is a RPG you obviously have something to say about the direction RPGs are going, could take, might take, or possibly should have taken.

Well...I didn't spend time on that Monopoly conversation, but I've got something to say here.

When I think about the post-Elfs/post-Pool Narrativist game designs baked at The Forge, what I see are various mechanical schemes that in one way or another basically render unto the player a firehose of unregulated creative power over setting and conflict. My own design, http://www.123.net/~czege/WFD.html">The World, the Flesh, and the Devil is one such game.
 
What I'm interested in seeing are more nuanced and sophisticated power redistributions that still provide for the collaborative creation of story that characterizes Narrativism. Dust Devils, I think, is brilliant in how it treats a character's success in conflict as a distinctly separate output of resolution from who gets to narrate the outcome. But I think there's still an incredible amount of room to explore here. I envision games that grant and rescind power over the introduction of such things as new NPCs, locations, relationships, historical details, animosities, and power structures, to name just a few, and mechanics that maybe even allow players to seek, cultivate, and work to protect the various powers that suit their personal taste.

Paul

[Valamir]

[quote="Paul Czege
What I'm interested in seeing are more nuanced and sophisticated power redistributions that still provide for the collaborative creation of story that characterizes Narrativism. Dust Devils, I think, is brilliant in how it treats a character's success in conflict as a distinctly separate output of resolution from who gets to narrate the outcome. But I think there's still an incredible amount of room to explore here. I envision games that grant and rescind power over the introduction of such things as new NPCs, locations, relationships, historical details, animosities, and power structures, to name just a few, and mechanics that maybe even allow players to seek, cultivate, and work to protect the various powers that suit their personal taste.
Paul[/quote]

Yup, yup.  One of the reasons I think its so important to recognize the faults of the Impossible Thing text is to liberate designers into realizing that there is an entire world of possible distribution of power outside of the traditional split.  I agree, the first step was just getting that power out there and accepted (like the Pool did).  Now I'd like to see designers explore possibilities to reel that power back into something more controled, but with a different structure.

One of the reasons I really love Otherkind, in fact, is the step it takes in this direction.

[Jared A. Sorensen]

I envision games that grant and rescind power over the introduction of such things as new NPCs, locations, relationships, historical details, animosities, and power structures, to name just a few, and mechanics that maybe even allow players to seek, cultivate, and work to protect the various powers that suit their personal taste.

Well, uh, Universalis. I guess it could be refined or whatever but I think that Uni is the ultimate expression of what RPGs are/could be. Either that or it's the antithesis of RPG's. Something. Lex Luthor would like it. And what's with bald guys either being totally evil or totally good? I mean, really.

Me? I have a feeling my next game is going to be about college dorm life.

Or something.


Maybe.

- J

Content: Allowing players to set the target numbers of the opposition. That would be interesting.

[Kester Pelagius]

Greetings Mike,

Humbling as ever.

I think a lot of this issue got hashed out in the thread on Holographics, oddly enough.

Possibly.  But I think there is still a lot to consider.  I could be wrong, probably wouldn't be the first time, I'm sure the arbiters of pride and arrogance here at The Forge will let me know.  Eventually.  ;)

Also, when a person sees the next evolution, doesn't he go off and make it? That is, I don't think anyone knows. Or the question would be moot, and we'd be pointing at that visionary.

Well, going by current trends, we can guesstimate based upon what has come before.  I've noted many people speak of the innovations in games like Donjon, Universalis, and Elfs (hope I remembered that right).  But do games like this form a trend that will be followed or are they merely unique games that will probably be underappreciated by the larger gaming hobby?


Kind Regards,

Kester Pelagius

[Kester Pelagius]

Greetings Ron,

Hey

Christopher (Kester), you wrote,

do those engaged in such arguements have no true opinions but rather prefer to engage in pointless debates purely to hone their debating skills? If that's the case then, by all means, remain silent.

That was obnoxious and provocative. Don't do that again, please.

Apologies if it sounded that way.

Guess my preface remark should have had a smiley by it or something, did not intend to insult anyone here.

Again, my sincere apologies if anyone took offense.


Kind Regards,

Kester Pelagius

[Kester Pelagius]

Greetings Walt,

I agree with Bruce, except that I'd substitute "system tools" where he said "advice."

Yeah, I've said this before. And yeah, I'm working on it.

Indeed, I think that Mr. Baugh has some very interesting ideas.

So, if I may, what are you working on?


Kind Regards,

Kester Pelagius