Changing It Up

One big issue I've heard GMs talk of, and it's a hard one to pinpoint at that, is that they are merely content with the system they're using. Maybe they started with 4th Edition D&D, or perhaps GURPS, but the specific system isn't important - The main point here is to branch out.

I know for a good while I thought 3.5 was okay, and my groups wanted Fantasy so I gave it to them. But as campaigns went on and on, I began to realize that I didn't like 3.5 (or Pathfinder), I was merely content with it. Once I knew that, I began branching off and it has been a very fun journey. Don't get me wrong, Pathfinder can make for some fun times, but it just isn't exactly what I want in an RPG, and in a world with so many options there is no reason to ignore them all.

I hear of GMs that complain that their groups don't want to learn a new system. It's too hard. Yada yada yada.... No, don't take that. Or if they're really not interested, find a rules-light system. Ideally new systems can get started locally through interest alone, but sometimes the need to be pushed in order for people to care enough to give them a shot.

What's neat is that when you try out new systems with new mechanics, and begin to compare and contrast what you do and don't like. I like this rolling method, and these types of modifiers, and this random mechanic makes perfect sense - It is these kinds of contrast that many GMs don't have because they foolishly stick to one system. 

What I cannot understand is why one would restrict themselves like this. Would you read one book and then decide, "Naw, one was enough, I'm done."? Would you play one game and decide, "Naw, the rest of the trilogy probably isn't worth playing, or any other games for that matter"? No, people don't do this. It allows them to discover themselves, what they do and don't want, in all sorts of media, why should it be any different with RPGs?

So please, try out new systems, see if your players might want to try them as well. Maybe one will find that s/he loves GMing that game! At worst you find out you don't like a specific game, and there is nothing wrong with that. At best, you find a new staple for you and your friends to play with for years to come.

Adventures don't always need to be in-game,

Taylor Shuss