Suggestion to WotC: Publish d20 System as a Generic Rules Engine - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Suggestion to WotC: Publish d20 System as a Generic Rules Engine

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Josha
Oct 14, 2011 21:26:34 D20 System is cool. Great for action packed hack-and-slash games with a focus on tactics, random chance, and character optimization. It jas worked for D&D and Star Wars, as well as unofficial RPGs for Lord of the Rings, Mass Effect, and Magic: the Gathering.

I think it would be really cool to see D20 System published as a generic rules engine, similar to GURPS or BRP. By default, it could be very simple and bare-bones, and could have piles of optional rules derived from various D20 games, such as Condition Tracks, Encounter Powers, Prestige Classes, and Saving Throws. The basic rules should be vague enough that any of the D20 games could have been based on them.
#2
Finarvyn
Oct 15, 2011 12:26:52 The free-download SRD does much of this already, I think. I know that some companies have published OGL versions of settings (horror, western, etc) but I think they are mostly based off of the generic SRD information.
#3
Josha
Oct 15, 2011 13:43:06 Yes, but the SRD assumes the game will be fantasy-themed, and is based off of D&D 3.5. I want something more flexable and modular, not leaning towards any genre. Kinda like True20, but by WotC.
#4
oxybe
Oct 15, 2011 14:18:19 no clue what True20 is but... have you played GURPS?

if so you'll understand that the "any genre" game can be very unweildly. it requires a GM with a VERY clear goal and purpose to trim away a lot of the unwanted mechanics until all he's got left is what he wants

how many, and what exactly, skills does one include in a game that supposedly works the gamut from "gritty mideval crapsack world" to "fantastic space opera" to "film noir detective story in the 1920s"?

what about classes? do you go the d20 modern way with generic "ability tree"-based classes or do you go classless?

what about magic? psionics? "superhuman" abilities like superman's flight or the flash's super speed?

i like to compare it to 2 artists making a sculpture for a contest. the first, who uses the "any genre/game" system has a block of wood & all the tools that he could ever want to sculpt a bust. it takes a long time and a lot of effort but if he puts in the sweat and tears, it allows for a great amount of fine tuning and precision.

the second has a bucket of lego. it's easier to setup and get a quick bust since the pieces are relatively simple and click together easier. it'll never be as smooth or fancy as the first guy, but you can make a nice bust if you take the time to sort out which blocks you need. while there is space for tuning, it's still limited in scope.

now, the main reason i play much more 4th ed then GURPS? while i will swear up and down that GURPS does D&D better then D&D, it requires FAR more time to setup properly (through the creation of basic templates and parsing the advantages/skills/tech/magic/etc... available) while D&D has the part of of that done for you. you may tweak one or two things, but it's got the genre and themes ready for you. all that's left is to flavor as needed, if you will.
#5
bone_naga
Oct 20, 2011 17:24:45
Yes, but the SRD assumes the game will be fantasy-themed, and is based off of D&D 3.5. I want something more flexable and modular, not leaning towards any genre. Kinda like True20, but by WotC.

Between the SRD and MSRD (for d20 modern) I'd say you pretty much have what you need. I don't think it's likely that they would go back and work on a system they already abandoned just to release it for free. It may be good for you, but it's bad business for them. Besides, True20 already does it better, why not stick with that? Having it come from WotC doesn't automatically make it better.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Josha Oct 14, 2011 21:26:34	D20 System is cool. Great for action packed hack-and-slash games with a focus on tactics, random chance, and character optimization. It jas worked for D&D and Star Wars, as well as unofficial RPGs for Lord of the Rings, Mass Effect, and Magic: the Gathering. I think it would be really cool to see D20 System published as a generic rules engine, similar to GURPS or BRP. By default, it could be very simple and bare-bones, and could have piles of optional rules derived from various D20 games, such as Condition Tracks, Encounter Powers, Prestige Classes, and Saving Throws. The basic rules should be vague enough that any of the D20 games could have been based on them.
#2 Finarvyn Oct 15, 2011 12:26:52	The free-download SRD does much of this already, I think. I know that some companies have published OGL versions of settings (horror, western, etc) but I think they are mostly based off of the generic SRD information.
#3 Josha Oct 15, 2011 13:43:06	Yes, but the SRD assumes the game will be fantasy-themed, and is based off of D&D 3.5. I want something more flexable and modular, not leaning towards any genre. Kinda like True20, but by WotC.
#4 oxybe Oct 15, 2011 14:18:19	no clue what True20 is but... have you played GURPS? if so you'll understand that the "any genre" game can be very unweildly. it requires a GM with a VERY clear goal and purpose to trim away a lot of the unwanted mechanics until all he's got left is what he wants how many, and what exactly, skills does one include in a game that supposedly works the gamut from "gritty mideval crapsack world" to "fantastic space opera" to "film noir detective story in the 1920s"? what about classes? do you go the d20 modern way with generic "ability tree"-based classes or do you go classless? what about magic? psionics? "superhuman" abilities like superman's flight or the flash's super speed? i like to compare it to 2 artists making a sculpture for a contest. the first, who uses the "any genre/game" system has a block of wood & all the tools that he could ever want to sculpt a bust. it takes a long time and a lot of effort but if he puts in the sweat and tears, it allows for a great amount of fine tuning and precision. the second has a bucket of lego. it's easier to setup and get a quick bust since the pieces are relatively simple and click together easier. it'll never be as smooth or fancy as the first guy, but you can make a nice bust if you take the time to sort out which blocks you need. while there is space for tuning, it's still limited in scope. now, the main reason i play much more 4th ed then GURPS? while i will swear up and down that GURPS does D&D better then D&D, it requires FAR more time to setup properly (through the creation of basic templates and parsing the advantages/skills/tech/magic/etc... available) while D&D has the part of of that done for you. you may tweak one or two things, but it's got the genre and themes ready for you. all that's left is to flavor as needed, if you will.
#5 bone_naga Oct 20, 2011 17:24:45	Yes, but the SRD assumes the game will be fantasy-themed, and is based off of D&D 3.5. I want something more flexable and modular, not leaning towards any genre. Kinda like True20, but by WotC. Between the SRD and MSRD (for d20 modern) I'd say you pretty much have what you need. I don't think it's likely that they would go back and work on a system they already abandoned just to release it for free. It may be good for you, but it's bad business for them. Besides, True20 already does it better, why not stick with that? Having it come from WotC doesn't automatically make it better.