----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Meerschaert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2000 11:57 AM
Subject: RE: [Open_Gaming] Market Share
> Joseph Cochran <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > I wouldn't know, since I haven't seen the D20 specs. But I
> > *do* know that just adding skills and stuff to rules is STILL
> > going to require design work and playtesting, and obeying the
> > D20 document is going to require editorial effort that a new
> > game won't.
>
> And making a whole new game requires origination, playtesting, and editing
as
> well--all the more, as there is no base to come from.
Sure, if we are only changing small parts, but if we want to change it
any non-cosmetic way we are left with at least the same amount effort, at
least IMHO.
>
> > Yes, if you learn D20 once you can then use it
> > over, but LUG has done the same thing with their ICON system, WW
> > with Storyteller, etc. etc. GURPS etc., so I don't see D20
> > having an advantage there.
>
> Neither does Ryan Dancy, quite simply. The point is that d20 has a *size*
> advantage, and if everyone is using the same system, then there are no
> barriers to learning a different game... and the industry as a whole can
> grow.
>
> This is, admitidly, a far-fetched goal... but it makes logical sense.
The logic fails because no one has shown HOW it will get there, AD&D already
had a majority of gaming for years and yet more games come out. Some of
that can be attributed to TSR mismanagement, but some of it is because a
significant minority don't want certain things or want different/additional
things in their games.
SNIP
>
> And I won't mention the never-ending argument over "game balance." At
best,
> it's an illusion... in reality, it's just a "balancing" of different
elements
> of a game to get a certain feel.
I certainly agree, that is why I have a problem with the idea that D20 will
reign supreme, because that feel is what is so important to enough people.
SNIP
Later,
Ryan Fisk
Riinamiib Isirk (for the Vilani in the audience)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
-------------
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