05-22-2019, 02:49 PM | #781 | |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: Why isn't GURPS as popular as the D20 system and games
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None of which really matters unless the game gets to high levels, and high level 3.5e is.. a problematic game anyway. |
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05-22-2019, 03:49 PM | #782 | |
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Iceland*
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Re: Why isn't GURPS as popular as the D20 system and games
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Basically, character creation was a complex mini-game where the rules were never explained, but emerged from the interplay of dozens of supplements and there were definite failure modes for not knowing how everything worked together. Usually, there was a One True Way of constructing certain concepts and if you failed to follow the path to properly optimizing mechanics, the rules would not even remotely support the mental vision of the concept that the player had in mind. In many ways, the character design mini-game was fun for those with a certain type of mind, but it was harshly punitive for casual gamers. D&D 5e is much better tuned for casual gaming and that seems to be a very large segment of the market. I enjoyed the campaign I played in it (as a player, not GM) and while the other players admitted that the rules were light and not aimed to produce realistic results in any way, they didn't mind. Everyone was happy to play a simple game with miniatures and not have to commit to a more serious game, as everyone had jobs and families and other hobbies.
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Za uspiekh nashevo beznadiozhnovo diela! Last edited by Icelander; 05-22-2019 at 03:53 PM. |
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05-22-2019, 04:44 PM | #783 | |
Doctor of GURPS Ballistics
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lakeville, MN
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Re: Why isn't GURPS as popular as the D20 system and games
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05-22-2019, 04:52 PM | #784 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: Why isn't GURPS as popular as the D20 system and games
In a game not expected to get past level 6 or so, you can pretty much ignore everything about prestige classes, as well as most advanced feats, and the reality is that D&D 3e had a reputation for breaking down once you hit double digit levels (hence things like Epic-6).
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05-22-2019, 06:15 PM | #785 |
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lawrence, KS
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Re: Why isn't GURPS as popular as the D20 system and games
I know people who played character design in Champions that way, whereas I disliked it enough to avoid Champions after some experience with it. But on the other hand, the semi-random rolling creation process for Traveller characters can be fun in a different way; sometimes more fun than playing the characters you get.
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Bill Stoddard I don't think we're in Oz any more. |
05-22-2019, 06:51 PM | #786 |
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Earth, mostly
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Re: Why isn't GURPS as popular as the D20 system and games
I think I played like two actual games of Traveller in college. On the other hand, when I was bored I could amuse myself for an hour or two just rolling up characters and thinking about what kind of person would have this background.
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If you break the laws of Man, you go to prison. If you break the laws of God, you go to Hell. If you break the laws of Physics, you go to Sweden and receive a Nobel Prize. |
05-22-2019, 07:21 PM | #787 | |
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Re: Why isn't GURPS as popular as the D20 system and games
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Yes you can sweat the sweet loadout (for older editions), or the optimal build (for newer) but it never was necessary. |
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05-22-2019, 07:22 PM | #788 | |
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Re: Why isn't GURPS as popular as the D20 system and games
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http://www.batintheattic.com/traveller/ |
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05-22-2019, 10:52 PM | #789 | |
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alsea, OR
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Re: Why isn't GURPS as popular as the D20 system and games
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I've seen them do it. 5E is easier still. GURPS front-loads all the complexity. D&D kicks it down the curb. |
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05-23-2019, 05:22 AM | #790 | |
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: FL
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Re: Why isn't GURPS as popular as the D20 system and games
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I could blame this on being introduced to GURPS first, but I expect I use GURPS because I like to work this way rather than vice-versa. So, for a certain temperament which likes to digest systems whole, GURPS intentionally front-loading the complexity actually reduces total complexity because it is presented to be learned that way--but that is not most people, I take it. My guess is that, with a good GM, GURPS is better at flipping between front-load and down-the-curb than is D&D (although still not great), but since D&D defaults to down-the-curb it has a gentler learning curve for the average group wholly new to role-playing.
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opinion, popularity |
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