Xenophon’s Travel Logs

TTRPG Bloat

I'll admit, I do love perusing a big-boy/-girl TTRPG rulebook, but I will also be the first to admit I hate running them. I like a game that is easier to jump in to. I love games that players can avoid spending hours on optimization and customization. Because, at the end of the day, gameplay is more important. One game I've had quite a bit of success with has been my Quick Hei$t game, which covers about three pages in terms of rules. I've introduced more players to TTRPGs with this kind of game than any other, and people keep coming back for more. So, while I love looking at the latest Alien Evolved Edition rulebook, or maybe even the next Pathfinder, or Draw Steel, I would be in trouble if I didn't point out the problems with TTRPG rulebook bloat. Even my own game, Rapture, suffers from this. I think we need to design TTRPGs with beginners in mind, too, and this includes beginner GMs/DMs/Referees.