[gurps] How has 4th Edition changed your game?

[Kurt Feltenberger]

Zan Lynx wrote:
> I have to disagree here.  The system *never* made the role playing or
> the story.  It's just as good using Fudge or MERP or GURPS or D&D 2, 3
> or 4th edition.
>
> The story and the roleplaying depend on the game master and the players.
>
> GURPS does help by giving players disadvantages and quirks as hints to
> roleplaying their character, but honestly, its just as much fun
> roleplaying a haughty elf or a greedy dwarf with a fake Scottish accent,
> a big axe and a bigger attitude.
>   

I'm willing to agree to a point; I think that the game system, when 
compared to others, encourages certain sorts of game play. Note, I 
didn't say role playing, though game play is a part of role playing. If 
you have a set of rules that treats characters like video game 
characters with outlandish abilities and abilities that are real life 
time based, it encourages a certain sort of role playing. Gurps, 
MERP/Rolemaster, and Warhammer FRP as rules sets are much more "serious" 
than DD4 will ever be. I think if the players have read the rules, and 
not all players do - they rely on the GM to help build the character, 
the rules at some level will influence their game play. I know in Gurps, 
WFRP, and MERP/Rolemaster I don't see the stupid stunts that the same 
players are likely to try in other systems.

I do agree that the game system *shouldn't* matter and that the 
roleplaying and story are independent of the rules, but only in rare 
cases have I seen this to be the reality.

-- 
Kurt Feltenberger
kurt at thepaw.org/kfeltenberger at yahoo.com // http://www.teotwawki.net

“Before today, I was scared to live, after today, I'm scared I'm not living enough."  - Me