Games you're dodged (the anti-addiction thread)

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Johnny Utah said:
I would have to say minis, also. Despite a very good friend who buys and paints and buys and paints and buys and paints…

My objection is mostly for a strange personal reason. It’s not the cost (though that can be very high) or the storage (which can be excessive), it’s because I like having an exact representation on the battle map.

Maybe it’s a bit OCD, but I hate when a bugbear mini “stands in” for a troll, or my Colonial Space Marine is represented by a cyberpunk guy with the “wrong”gun. I’ve been printing up tokens for years instead, and there’s enough free monster and character art online, for every genre, that I can have 20 bandits in the fight that all look differently.
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I agree with part of this. I too hate bad substitutes.

I get around it by starting with the minis and working outward from them . Of course, it’s also an excuse to buy new minis that fill in some particular gap for an adventure or scenario.
 
Teotwawki said:
And our household has long been buyers of Delta Green products but about a year ago, author's public comments began to leave a bad taste in our bank accounts, so we sold off a lot of the collectable bits and decided we spent enough on their material... and have plenty to game DG for the next few resurrections of our Essential Saltes.
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Which author and what was the nature of the public comments?
 
lategamer said:
The trend of releasing Quickstarts at the start of Kickstarters has saved me a fortune. At the very least it's softened the blow from buying the full hardback Deluxe book to just getting the PDF. And sometimes it's put me off entirely.
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This is precisely what saved me from pledging to Shadowdark: perfectly cromulent, but not my thing.
 
I will make up for that by completely simping for the Ars Magica KS when it happens later this year.

Even though I had and have major issues with David Chart's vision for the game.

Because nostalgia for the Deadfire Saga.

Oops, I botched my Rego Mentem roll.
 
I was almost enticed into a game of Earthdawn in college, but I was like naaaaaw and I've kept safe since.
 
Black God’s Kiss for OSE. I’m there for 1930s sword & sorcery and can tolerate OSE, but nah. The Kickstarter is yet to deliver.

Adventure! by Onyx Path. I’ll buy nearly anything that is credible Pulp but this is weighed down by meta-plot and padded with endless rules elaborations. Pass.
 
Hah! I talked earlier about how I have my RPG spending under control. But I did decide a couple days ago that starting a new campaign necessitates new dice. And, stuck in Australia and not willing to make do with just any old dice, I also had to spend more on shipping than on the dice themselves.
 
Sable Wyvern said:
I rarely buy anything unless I genuinely expect to play it
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I've genuinely expected to run / play ever game I've ever bought. Whether I actually do or not is another story entirely.

I mostly don't bother remembering / keeping track of the games I've "dodged". The exception would be PbtA games on account of the fact that even talking about the system makes me murderously angry. This goes for descendants like Forged in the Dark and related games.

The other broad category of games I "dodge" are so-called player facing game systems. As a rule, I won't have anything to do with em, preferring to stay home and watch TV rather than either play or run them.
 
Savage Schemer said:
I've genuinely expected to run / play ever game I've ever bought. Whether I actually do or not is another story entirely.

I mostly don't bother remembering / keeping track of the games I've "dodged". The exception would be PbtA games on account of the fact that even talking about the system makes me murderously angry. This goes for descendants like Forged in the Dark and related games.

The other broad category of games I "dodge" are so-called player facing game systems. As a rule, I won't have anything to do with em, preferring to stay home and watch TV rather than either play or run them.
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To me, dodging a purchase implies you were tempted, but glad you didn't succumb.

Not buying games that fill you with rage seems more like basic life skills. :happy:
 
I've managed to dodge Mythras and Old School Essentials so far. Vast chunks of the OSR have tempted me, honestly, until I remember that the cost of the excitement of incredibly lethal hazards and desperate resource management is that you have to track all the resources and deal with semi-frequent PC death.

The free RPG day Conan quickstart has saved me from 2d20. Mainly because as far as I can tell, 2d20 tries to provide the much the same things that Genesys does, and I'd already put in the learning / system mastery effort for the latter with years of running the Star Wars FFG games. I can't speak to how well 2d20 actually provides pulpy cinematic action, as I saw no need to try it out.
 
I finally thought of one: Fading Suns. I remember thinking that on paper it seemed everything I like and want in a game. But I also remember a lot of mixed reviews on the system itself and for that reason never actually picked it up. Thinking about it now, I may actually regret never having picked it up.
 
I feel like I gave up the HoL habit before it got right on top of me. So there's that. Interestingly it was, I think the very first system I took a serious poke at hacking in a CoC sort of way.
 
Actually, giving it some thought, Shadow of the Weird Wizard probably counts. After picking up SotDL, I was thoroughly unimpressed with the campaign supplement I grabbed in an attempt to get a feel for the intended arc, and put the whole game aside for some time. I looked at it again a few years later, felt it click, and the next thing you know I'd bought almost every supplement available.

There was some temptation to jump in on Weird Wizard, but after looking into it, it became apparent to me that if I was happy with Demon Lord (which I haven't even got to the table yet) there was really nothing for me in Weird Wizard.

On the other hand, I kept dodging Kevin Crawford Kickstarters, but then I'd realise, "Oh, I could use that new Without Number game for this" and then I'd have to rush out to see if he still had any of of his offset print copies left in stock. I've learned my lesson, and will just throw my money at any future KC kickstarters.
 
AsenRG said:
...ah, thank you for confirming my suspicions:tongue:!


But I don't blame* you at all, man:shock:!

I mean, I've long ago realized other people like stuff that I dislike::honkhonk:.
That is fine** - when an RPG with an IP I like is announced, sometimes I'm lucky enough to get a version I'd like to use, at other times, not so much. With Conan, Dune and John Carter, I got the short straw, but I must clarify, I'm not blaming* Modiphius, either. Not any more than I'm blaming the Beowulf guys. Though I've been a fan of Beowulf-the-epic since, what, 7th grade?
They made their decision, and I actually hope it works for them. It just doesn't work for me:crygoose:!

...but, conversely, I'm not going to purchase any of those. After years of getting titles "for the setting", I've decided that I'm now only going to buy books where I can at least tolerate the core mechanic.
Otherwise, I'm sending the message that my preferences can be ignored safely:madgoose:!

And I've decided I don't like sending this message...:gooseshades:

So it's not about "blame". It's just a statement: these games don't work for me, I'm NOT going to buy them.
Which, of course, allows me to post about them in a thread like this one:thumbsup:

*Except when I'm really down and lashing back. You'll just have to forgive me for those occasions, I'm afraid:shade:!

**Much as I'm persuaded in the doubtless superiority of my own preferences and that if everyone played games I like, all of us would be happier, yes...:grin:
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I was kidding. The mechanics didn't work out the way we (the line managers) planned. Stuff happens. It's like a movie that has all the right cast but the script isn't working for the genre.
 
Mankcam said:
I wish you had been given a louder voice in that!
I think Conan would of felt more pulpy if it didnt have all the Skills - perhaps more like what I see in the John Carter character sheet
But there were other issues for me beyond that - I liked Momentum Pts for the PCs, but I just dont think the Doom Pts worked for me as a GM, and that mechanic pervades in some form throughout most of the 2D20 games

I like lots of other stuff in the Modiphius Conan books however, and I'm glad they are on my shelf
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Being louder wouldn't have helped at the time. Ironically, the 2D20 system got lighter soon after Conan, so maybe Conan helped do that.
 
Parkaboy said:
Being louder wouldn't have helped at the time. Ironically, the 2D20 system got lighter soon after Conan, so maybe Conan helped do that.
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Yes, the John Carter character sheet and others after that looked more the kind of thing that would of worked well for Conan
 
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SJB said:
Adventure! by Onyx Path. I’ll buy nearly anything that is credible Pulp but this is weighed down by meta-plot and padded with endless rules elaborations. Pass.
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Not really the case regarding the meta-plot in the original White Wolf edition, as it was very much a background issue that was easily ignored.
Especially given that no supplements were made for it.

But yeah totally agree that the Onxy Path version looks bloated and very much inmeshed with their Trinity megaplot.
The fact that it is an add-on book for Trinity, rather than a stand alone book really feels like a step backwards.
Also the artwork feels far too modern, it really doesnt have the same flavour as the original White Wolf book.
I can't speak for its mechanics, other than they would have been better streamlining the original mechanics, rather than adding to them.
 
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As an original Conan: An Age Undreamed Of kickstarter backer, I can never detach myself from all the beautiful books I have from this line.
They still have pride of place in my bookshelf, but these days I refer to them for lore and inspiration for my own 'Hyborian Age Adventures' sessions, using BRP Mythras for game mechanics (with double Luck Pts).

Parkaboy said:
The mechanics didn't work out the way we (the line managers) planned. Stuff happens. It's like a movie that has all the right cast but the script isn't working for the genre.
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That's the best and most honest description I've read about Modiphius Conan, and it explains everything
Thank you for sharing :thumbsup:
 
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Teotwawki said:
Although they were ostensibly talking about another game, another creator, I think sureshot said it well a few posts above:

"Any rpg company that insults its fans ... or worse claim they don't want fans money..."

The mouthiest of the DG authors likes to use social media platform to personally insult anyone (fans included) that don't agree with his hypocritical and often factually incorrect political opinions and tell them they're not only unwanted as fans, but reprehensible people, while of course ignoring their own solipsistic behavior.

I can enjoy the work of people who I don't care for or don't agree with. Film directors, musicians, artists, writers. I don't need to be alignment with their ideology to find value in their work, but when I am personally denigrated by someone who spews ignorance based on kneejerk politics, I suddenly find myself not really wishing to provide them with my financial patronage any more. Not that I'm going to campaign to boycott them or anything. They have the right to be a public idiot if they want to, and Great Cthulhu knows they have enough monied fans who will provide them with mortgage payments for years to come.
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Yup. Count me as another ex-fan of Arc Dream (Delta Green), nasty folks.
 
Gringnr said:
Dennis Detwiller. Not sure what he said, but I'mma Google it and NOT report back here. Just a hunch...
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I've also had unacceptable encounters with Shane and his wife. I'll never buy another Arc Dream Publishing product or back another one of their Kickstarters.
 
rumble said:
Kickstarters, Bundles of Holding, Discounts and Deals....

Sometimes you just wanna give out a victory cry or yodel when you barely make your save against a game that enticed you.

I just dodged Cairn 2e. I think im done with xSR systems. I've got what I need.
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I've managed to dodge almost everything. I'm a pro at ignoring, resisting, and disapproving of games. I also do well at being somewhat interested in some games for decades, without getting around to getting, reading, or playing them. Even some that I know I'd enjoy playing.

My secret, is a lifelong attitude that I don't have enough time for all the things I particularly want to do, and way too many things other people want me to do, that I don't want to do, so that really helps me avoid games I'm only theoretically somewhat interested in.

My list of games that I have, but haven't tried yet, is long, and includes many titles I've had for years or decades.

But yeah, I'm pretty glad I've avoided most of the games I've avoided.

I often get a lot of vicarious pleasure from reading about other people's experiences with other games, and being able to tell from their descriptions, that I would have really disliked being stuck playing such a game for even an hour, let alone one or more long sessions. I'm even pleased with myself for not knowing what quite a few game mechanics are, not knowing much about many fantasy races and classes, let alone alignments, alignment languages, storygame stuff, never having to hear other players say the term "bennies" seriously, etc.

Oh, and I'm SO glad that almost all MMORPGs are so stuck in stupid grindy hierarchical D&D-like power curves and other design tropes that I have no interest in, because otherwise I could have wasted huge amounts of time on those.
 
AsenRG said:
And another thread just reminded me that all the Zweihander games are an easy skip as well, because of the lead designer if nothing else:grin:!
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Yeah, thanks to him for showing up on TheRPGSite to try to promote his game, acting like an unlikable egotistical fool, and talking about how he was naming game books Zweihander and Main Gauche, yet touting as a feature that all weapons would do the same damage.
 
Skarg said:
I've managed to dodge almost everything. I'm a pro at ignoring, resisting, and disapproving of games. I also do well at being somewhat interested in some games for decades, without getting around to getting, reading, or playing them. Even some that I know I'd enjoy playing.

My secret, is a lifelong attitude that I don't have enough time for all the things I particularly want to do, and way too many things other people want me to do, that I don't want to do, so that really helps me avoid games I'm only theoretically somewhat interested in.

My list of games that I have, but haven't tried yet, is long, and includes many titles I've had for years or decades.

But yeah, I'm pretty glad I've avoided most of the games I've avoided.

I often get a lot of vicarious pleasure from reading about other people's experiences with other games, and being able to tell from their descriptions, that I would have really disliked being stuck playing such a game for even an hour, let alone one or more long sessions. I'm even pleased with myself for not knowing what quite a few game mechanics are, not knowing much about many fantasy races and classes, let alone alignments, alignment languages, storygame stuff, never having to hear other players say the term "bennies" seriously, etc.

Oh, and I'm SO glad that almost all MMORPGs are so stuck in stupid grindy hierarchical D&D-like power curves and other design tropes that I have no interest in, because otherwise I could have wasted huge amounts of time on those.
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With love. :gooselove:
 
goats said:
Which author and what was the nature of the public comments?
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Well, I opened this can of cosmological horrifying worms, so I'll use a minor fracas as example:

It's good ol' Mr D who Gringnr Gringnr mentioned. In this lesser instance, Mr D was mouthing off about Dr Cornel West being a sock puppet tool of a malicious political body that is completely antithetical to Dr's lifelong work and teaching, then when I commented that Mr D may want to re-examine that position, he followed up by personally saying that I must be a braindead racist if I think differently from him--and he hoped I wouldn't ever buy anything he published again (which shows a degree of tolerance akin to the weather reaching -40 C/F). If DD had any inclination to discuss such matters instead of quickly dismissing any contrary information and knowledge from what he already believes, I could have pointed out that I spent a few years of my life actually fighting a war against people much like the malicious political body--and good-self-certain narcissistic folks like himself--or that The Husband has had several occasions to meet with Dr West as both a student and an academic peer and of all legitimate criticism that could be leveled at the guy, being a tool of either major American political party isn't one of them... but instead Mr D had reached his own conclusions about matters beyond his actual kenning, and decided to lecture and judge entire demographics of people in a country he decided to flee for financial purposes. Being an bigot is Mr D's prerogative. Being a public idiot is also his right. Even maligning people who he dislikes while simultaneously virtue signaling flags in awareness months because that may earn him extra coin is part of his entitlement. But all those things ensure I'm not going to be helping him with his mortgage for the rest of our collective lifetimes.

Plus, I personally find his artwork to be derivative to the point of sometimes plagiaristic (:fu:), poorly executed paint vomit (:sick:), and banal (:dead:) even without comparing it to the work of the late Blair Reynolds (:shade:)...

And, although they've published numerous other works since their initial DG kickstarter, Arc Dream still haven't produced the promised books for that. We could discuss ASG's failed kickstarters that he kept the money for without producing anything... I could go on and on, but as I said, I'm not about trying to get others to stop drinking the green Flavor Aid by Arc Dream. But I am certain I won't sup upon it again. At least financially. I love the game. Hate the authors.
Shotgun scenarios alone could keep us in material for years to come even without homebrewing to the degree we do.

Playing Arc Dream's branded game for me is a bit like listening to the song "The Legend Of Wooley Swamp" ...
I find it to be a great piece of musical story-telling. I find the composer to be personally repulsive.
 
Mankcam said:
my experiences with Conan have forever sullied my impression of the 2D20 system, so no more of that for me.
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Hither came Mankcam, sullied-eyed ...

Dyrnwyn said:
No argument from me -- I was bitten by a duck once (a domesticated one), and was chased by a mother duck another time while on a canoe trip when she thought I got too close to her ducklings.
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It's weird how it's clear one could easily kick the shit out of such a bird but feels naturally inhibited to do so even when under attack.
 
Teotwawki said:
Although they were ostensibly talking about another game, another creator, I think sureshot said it well a few posts above:

"Any rpg company that insults its fans ... or worse claim they don't want fans money..."

The mouthiest of the DG authors likes to use social media platform to personally insult anyone (fans included) that don't agree with his hypocritical and often factually incorrect political opinions and tell them they're not only unwanted as fans, but reprehensible people, while of course ignoring their own solipsistic behavior.

I can enjoy the work of people who I don't care for or don't agree with. Film directors, musicians, artists, writers. I don't need to be alignment with their ideology to find value in their work, but when I am personally denigrated by someone who spews ignorance based on kneejerk politics, I suddenly find myself not really wishing to provide them with my financial patronage any more. Not that I'm going to campaign to boycott them or anything. They have the right to be a public idiot if they want to, and Great Cthulhu knows they have enough monied fans who will provide them with mortgage payments for years to come.
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:shock:
Now that's a surprise...:crygoose:

Psychopomp said:
I've managed to dodge Mythras and Old School Essentials so far. Vast chunks of the OSR have tempted me, honestly, until I remember that the cost of the excitement of incredibly lethal hazards and desperate resource management is that you have to track all the resources and deal with semi-frequent PC death.
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Well, we're yet to have a PC death in Mythras this year::honkhonk:. Does this count as "semi-frequent"?

For the record, I hate fudging, don't bother asking...:grin:

Parkaboy said:
I was kidding. The mechanics didn't work out the way we (the line managers) planned. Stuff happens. It's like a movie that has all the right cast but the script isn't working for the genre.
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If you're referencing the part where people commonly think it should be lighter, I agree. But that's not what I mean - IMO, they worked exactly as you had it planned. It's just that you didn't account for some preferences:thumbsup:.

Skarg said:
Yeah, thanks to him for showing up on TheRPGSite to try to promote his game, acting like an unlikable egotistical fool, and talking about how he was naming game books Zweihander and Main Gauche, yet touting as a feature that all weapons would do the same damage.
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Oh, the irony...:grin:

Though please refresh my memory - don't weapons help your odds of hitting in Zweihander?
3rik said:
Hither came Mankcam, sullied-eyed ...


It's weird how it's clear one could easily kick the shit out of such a bird but feels naturally inhibited to do so even when under attack.
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"I don't want to pay the owner of that thing", you mean:goosecry:?

Because when that wasn't the case, I've seen ducks flying low after a hearty kick delivered by an angry human parent:shade:.
 
AsenRG said:
Well, we're yet to have a PC death in Mythras this year::honkhonk:. Does this count as "semi-frequent"?

For the record, I hate fudging, don't bother asking...:grin:
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That sentence you're responding to is specifically referencing OSR products, not Mythras. Is Mythras considered OSR? I honestly have no idea - I've been struggling so hard to re-read the CoC d100 rules after I picked up 7th edition that I really haven't looked too far into Mythras at all. (I probably should, but reading time is a factor nowadays.)
 
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