#32: Bloody Decisions

[RPGnet Columns]

http://www.rpg.net/columns/physics/physics32.phtml

Summary:

A diceless anime and manga RPG using stacks.

Go to the column (http://www.rpg.net/columns/physics/physics32.phtml) for more information.

[Garthanos]

I am forever on the look out for diceless roleplaying techniques and new takes on it. So ofcourse your stacks caught my eye.

Choices which are partially or wholely blind are the most fundamental element in RPS the fact that such choices can actually make sense (and not be arbitrary like the explicit Rock Paper Scissors) rescues this technique in fact I might even argue any RPG with strategic combat maneuvers probably is already using the same feature. The difference is in a diceless environment such maneuvers can become really obvious when they lack balance.

Choosing how much your character is risking "at this moment" is another choice it is nice to present players.

The thing I liked particularly about your article is the tying together of genre reflecting itself in game mechanics, sometimes I think too much about the mechanics and forget that which we are modelling. Any generic game should include customization instructions about how the game can be molded to genres sometimes there are elements like emphasis of choice that make a game beg to be diceless.

Lance Dyas
http://www.dyasdesigns.com/roleplay/