Metric? Keep or change?

[tbeard1999]

Originally Posted by Steve Jackson

The original TFT releases used metric measurements because, in the late 1970s, we were being told that really, no kidding, the country was going metric.

Didn't happen.

The metric measurements feel vaguely dated to me now (I realize my European readers will be going "huh?" at this).

I am inclined to change meters to yards, and so on. Actually, meters may be the only metric quantity in the set. I notice that I already describe the naughty minnow as "inch-long."

Comments?

Ditch it. The vast majority of your players are unfamiliar with the metric system and as you said, the decision was cutting edge for the time. I think the bottom fell out of the metric system when the NFL found out its stadiums wouldn’t accommodate converting yards to meters, but I digress. There’s no advantage at all for most players in using the metric system.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by tbeard1999

Ditch it. The vast majority of your players are unfamiliar with the metric system.

That's almost certainly untrue; we may not be a metric country, but that doesn't mean most people aren't still taught the metric system or have learned it for other reasons (such as other RPGs, including the previous edition, that used metric), and of course international players will be unfamiliar with US customary units.

[Flyndaran]

Most Americans do not think or play in metric regardless of what was officially taught in schools.

[Lord Azagthoth]

Even tough I am used to the metric measuremenbts and weights, I find it logically to use it for modern and sf campaigns.

But for fantasy, I like to use archaic measurements (passes, day's-marches, etc.). Exact measurement is nice info for the GM (absolutely not for PC's if they don't have range finders or spells which tells them exactly how far, how heavy it is) but it lacks the fantasy mediaeval feeling.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

Most Americans do not think or play in metric regardless of what was officially taught in schools.

Most Americans are familiar enough with metric that one meter hexes will not confuse them (it's sorta similar to a yard, right?), and unfamiliar enough with the actual weight of armor and weapons that it doesn't really matter if kilograms are confusing.

[Chris Goodwin]

I vote keep. Cidri has a science fictional vibe. Plus I've been playing Fantasy Hero in metric for years.

Approximations are good enough. One meter approximately equals one yard. One kilogram approximately equals two pounds. One liter approximately equals one quart.

[Carnifex]

I see no compelling reason to change the game from the metric system, personally I think the American system is obsolete and should have been replaced in the 70's anyway.

[Flyndaran]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Most Americans are familiar enough with metric that one meter hexes will not confuse them (it's sorta similar to a yard, right?), and unfamiliar enough with the actual weight of armor and weapons that it doesn't really matter if kilograms are confusing.

Like you or someone else said, they're close enough to work as rounding errors. But if they're close enough one way, then they're close enough the other way. So no one should be getting their pants in a twist, right?
I suppose similar could be said for kilograms being close to twice the size of pounds.
That still leaves the question of why use modern units for fantasy settings. Even if "everyone" can make do with either.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

That still leaves the question of why use modern units for fantasy settings.

US customary units are modern too. Might as well use a Roman pace (about 5').

[tbeard1999]

Originally Posted by Flyndaran

Like you or someone else said, they're close enough to work as rounding errors. But if they're close enough one way, then they're close enough the other way. So no one should be getting their pants in a twist, right?
I suppose similar could be said for kilograms being close to twice the size of pounds.
That still leaves the question of why use modern units for fantasy settings. Even if "everyone" can make do with either.

Well, you have to have measures for weight and distance. There's no good reason that I can think of not to use the most commonly used (by your audience) system.

And there's particularly no good reason to use a wholly artificial system.