Definition of games, settings and supplements

[Saranjeuhal]

With the rush of open game content from multiple "systems" becomes available, and content is being shared across multiple products, I think there should be some clear definitions established as to what consitutes a game, a game-enhancing setting, or a supplement.

In my opinion they are a good basic description is as follows:


Game - Has either game setting in it or not. Contains a full set of rules for playing. Rules may be customized or the same as an existing set for another game. (D&D, or core world books or mechanics books)
Setting - enhances a game by being including world or setting information. Enhances or modifies rules or mechanics established in a game (D20 supplements)
Supplement - supplements game setting or can be a new setting in itself. Does not contain all the rules/mechanics to play but may include modifications or enhancements. (Adventures)


These are very basic, so why don't we discuss them and expand/modify them together?

[DavidRM]

I don't see "setting" as being necessiarily a game-enhancement. But maybe I'm just hoping that someday someone will do a setting that isn't tightly coupled to a particular rule mechanic.

[Saranjeuhal]

Originally posted by DavidRM
I don't see "setting" as being necessiarily a game-enhancement. But maybe I'm just hoping that someday someone will do a setting that isn't tightly coupled to a particular rule mechanic.

We've thought about that very seriously for our games, or at least having the setting use some form of meta-stats that can be translated through to other systems. We're trying very hard to make sure that we can change the system at any time.

I'm a firm believer in setting and mechanics segregation (just as I beleive in user interface and logic segregation in software development.

Also, that's why I mentioned that settings be "game-enhancing" settings as they are designed to enhance a current game.

So, would you add system-less game settings as one of the options then?

[DavidRM]

I would say there are:

* Rules
* Settings

And then there are:

* Rule extensions
* Setting extensions

And then there are combinations of all of these. Core rules mentioning options and/or providing guidelines for extending the rules. And when the setting refers to a campaign world, it almost certainly includes rules extensions to "tailor" the basic rules for the particular world.

Core books like the DMG, PHB, MM, are just "rules", while the class books are "rule extensions".

Adventure modules are probably the only form of pure "setting".

Thinking about it, I'm not sure there's that much need for a new set of terms.

If identifies the rules system it is intended for, all you need to know after that is:
* Rules supplement (additional skills, feats, etc.)
* Campaign setting
* Campaign setting supplement
* Campaign setting adventure
* Adventure

None of which addresses my desire for a good campaign setting that isn't tied to any particular rules system...but it's probably just a pipedream anyway. I can already tell you it would be a marketing nightmare. Not specific enough to get the attention of those who only buy materials for D&D, WW, etc., and probably too much like one of those to be considered apart from it.

[Andy K]

Before conversation on rules and systems marriges (or seperations) goes any further here, I just started a topic on the issue in the Game Design forum so that it can be discussed further there. That's the sad thing about these forums- without threads, the conversation can make a left turn and never come back...

-Andy

[Saranjeuhal]

Originally posted by Andy Kitkowski
Before conversation on rules and systems marriges (or seperations) goes any further here, I just started a topic on the issue in the Game Design forum so that it can be discussed further there. That's the sad thing about these forums- without threads, the conversation can make a left turn and never come back...

-Andy

You know a link would be helpful <sticks out tongue at Andy> <g>.

[Andrew Martin]

> You know a link would be helpful.

Try here: http://www.rpg.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=11.

[Saranjeuhal]

Originally posted by Andrew Martin
> You know a link would be helpful.

Try here: http://www.rpg.net/vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=11.

Thanks Andrew. I found it not so long ago after I came back from din-dins.