#RPGaDAY2025 – Day 6: Motive
| Prompt | Result |
|---|---|
| Daily | Motive |
| Question | What |
| Mood | Excited |
| Subject | Rule |
Prompt interpretation:
What motivates and excites you about rules?
Who gets excited about rules for role-playing games? Well, I guess I do. The rules that excite me the most have a mix of qualities that is difficult to put in words, but I'll do my best.
First, rules with strong authorial voice that is passionate, slightly naive, confident but relaxed. Second, rules that are elegant, i.e. they are simple, succinct, and clever. If I cannot remove or add anything, if I don't need to re-represent it, if I keep getting back to it as it was, unadulterated, then it might indeed an elegant rule. Third, rules that are internally consistent. When the internal logic is consistent, then I can adjust the rules to my taste without breaking the overall game. I can also use the same logic to build what I wish to build. Four, rules that are backed with sound research, logic, and extensive play testing. I do not care much for simulationism, but I care a lot if the rule was pulled out of someone's ass, or if it was the result of meticulous research play tested with dozens of players.
The motivation for always reading new (and old) rules is much simpler. I am always interested in rules that could / would / might support me better in both achieving the desired tone and fiction of the game. Even when reading rules that I reject is helpful—because then I am able to better articulate what is it I do not desire.
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