From: dhoberma@pearl.tufts.edu
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc
Subject: Re: Newbie System?
Date: 8 Oct 92 18:59:30 GMT
Organization: Tufts University - Medford, MA

In article <1992Oct8.201425.11315@waikato.ac.nz>, rmarsh@waikato.ac.nz writes:
> I was just considering the Newbie-Impact of the many systems out there. I 
> would guess that D&D still gets the most new players because it is the best
> known to outsiders. D&D is not my system of choice, but I will say that it
> is a reasonable starting system due to its simplicity.
> 
> Which system would you recommend to someone who had decided they wanted to
> try Role-Playing? The game should be suitable for whole groups of Newbies
> to learn on their own without the guidance of Role-Playing Gurus. What do
> you see as the dominant criteria for a Newbie RPG?
> 
> I believe simplicity would have to be among the prime concerns. D6 as the
> only die-type would be an advantage as would a familiar setting. And of
> course it should be fun!
> 
> My nomination goes to Star Wars. It uses d6, is simple, has a setting known
> to just about everyone, is easy to have fun with (droids are built in comic
> relief) and has the added advantage that any way-out results the are often 
> in keeping with the heroic setting anyway.

Hmm. I've never actually played star wars, but have heard a lot of
good things about it.
	A few games that I think are high on the playability list.

	Teenagers From Outer Space by R.Talsorian games

OK, its silly, its wacky, but with a group of people with a sense of humor
it is a blast! One thing  I ahve always wanted to do was run a short
campaign around it. I usually run short one-shots when our player base
gets sick of serious role-playing and just wants to have _fun_.
Very simple mechanics, only one die the d6, and a creative game master
can make a game that is not only funny, but memorable.
	Example. Group of teens in high school notice temperature is much
colder and dropping rapidly. Investigate to find a secret set of tunnels
within their high school where a band of deranged penguin scouts have begin
making preparation for the final Ice Age. Needless to say, sure
sounds silly, but that is the point! Even a newbie GM could run a great
game with this system, and the basic ideas could help them stairstep up
to more complicated systems.

			MEKTON by R.Talsorian
Maybe not to everyones taste, but this game, like Star Wars is a soft-science
future game. Again, RTG has included the complementary "what is an rpg section"
and a whole section on creating adventures and running the game.
	Here the system is fairly simple. All of the stats and skills
are based off of 1d10 and damage is d6's  Within minutes anyone can
learn the basic skill resolution, combat system, etc.
Now the mecha building/fighting section is a bit more complicated, 
(at least for newbies) and while the first few runs through a mecha combat
may take a bit, it gets very fast very quick. The hardest part is just
keeping track of damage to each area, and they have a sheet for that.
Overall I think MEKTON is a well though out, flexible and easy to play
system that anyone can master fairly quickly. Because of the speed and
ease of play, we prefer it over such hard-science fiction games
as Megatraveller which is fairly (you try figuring out how two ships  fight!)
and I would unhesitatingly recommend it to all the newbie groups out there,
and even to the old timers. :)

	This is not to push any one product. There are lots of good games
out there, but as Robert points out simplicity and ease of play are the
most important factors in introducing new players to the concept of
role-playing (at least the system aspect)

	So comments? random thoughts? How about the other aspect of
introducing new players to rpgs? the actual roleplaying concept
that of playing another person who doesnt exist, placing yourself
in their place and preceding from there? 
	Again, My personal favorite for this is the "what is an rpg"
in Teenagers from Outer Space.

	Dobie
	dhoberma@pearl.tufts.edu


> 
> -- 
> Robert 'Stumpy' Marsh | 95 Fairfield Rd | I can't reply to E-Mail, but 
> rmarsh@waikato.ac.nz  | Hamilton        | don't let that stop you sending.
> +64 7 855 4406        | New Zealand     |
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc