Steve Jackson Games Forums - View Single Post - what if another role playing game had DnDs cultural Impact?

Nymdok · 09-19-2016, 11:33 AM

That other thread not withstanding, at its genesis, I normally think of 3 or 4 RPGs that arent D&D.

Boot Hill
Gamma World
Top Secret
Star Frontiers

There were others Im sure, but these are the ones I remember (if only vaguely).

For example I seem to remeber not having an IQ stat in Boot Hill which certainly seems odd, but I DO like the idea of 'How can you honestly play someone smarter or dumber than yourself?'.

Had that been accepted Axiomatically it would have changed a lot. No INT/IQ /WIS stat in games would have meant HUGE changes for Magic Users and Clerics and would have had ripples throughout the industry.

Top Secret was quasi-point buy before it was cool.

Star Frontiers was practically Space D&D with the same kind of tone and feel. I remember that game fondly especially the simple, high resolution, D% rolls that seemed easy and intuitive. In hindsight I think the property was poorly handled, but against the onslaught of Fantasy that the market demanded, I guess there is no defense.

Nymdok

09-19-2016, 11:33 AM	#5
Nymdok Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Houston	Re: what if another role playing game had DnDs cultural Impact? That other thread not withstanding, at its genesis, I normally think of 3 or 4 RPGs that arent D&D. Boot Hill Gamma World Top Secret Star Frontiers There were others Im sure, but these are the ones I remember (if only vaguely). For example I seem to remeber not having an IQ stat in Boot Hill which certainly seems odd, but I DO like the idea of 'How can you honestly play someone smarter or dumber than yourself?'. Had that been accepted Axiomatically it would have changed a lot. No INT/IQ /WIS stat in games would have meant HUGE changes for Magic Users and Clerics and would have had ripples throughout the industry. Top Secret was quasi-point buy before it was cool. Star Frontiers was practically Space D&D with the same kind of tone and feel. I remember that game fondly especially the simple, high resolution, D% rolls that seemed easy and intuitive. In hindsight I think the property was poorly handled, but against the onslaught of Fantasy that the market demanded, I guess there is no defense. Nymdok