I was hoping to get some input of what players look for in an RPG and what Rpg''s you have experience playing P&P as well as PC. thx

Those are some ambitious questions!

Some of the qualities I look for in an RPG:

1) An immersive game world. There should be a sense that the characters, places, events and environment in the game behave in a realistic manner. This is not to say that these characteristics should mirror those of the real world. They should be somewhat different, conforming to the reality of the gameworld.

Our world follows certain rules, which remain consistent. Generally, when a person jumps into the air, he can be reasonably certain that he will come back down before too long. That is a characteristic of our world''s reality. In space, on the other hand, such an assumption cannot always be made. The game world must also have a set of similar rules, though they may be different than those of our everyday lives.

2) A sense of player importance. The player should know that his actions are important, and have real ramifications.

3) A memorable experience. Nothing is as unrewarding as a forgettable game. Good RPGs provide a high level of detail, not only visually, but emotionally as well.

There are literally hundreds of other requirements which must be fulfilled by a great RPG, such as rewards, storyline, a user-friendly interface, replay value (too often ignored in RPGs,) characterization, mood, etc. There is not enough time or space here to go into it all. But keep your eyes open, and you''ll get a lot of good information in this Forum.

As for favorite games on PC, I''m sorry, but I don''t have a computer. I haven''t played anything but console games in the last fifteen years or so. (I''ve got to get a computer! Say, do you have an old system you''d like to get rid of? Don''t throw it out, send it to me!)

~~Jonathon

This is a very good question and i will try my best to give my opinion. I feel that when someone is creating an rpg game they should try to make it seems to make sense. What I am saying is try to make everything fit like the story really goes with the map like for instance two characters are having a really sad talk try to capture that scene in a really moody place. Also when i go into a town that is near water i would like there to be at least one fishing man or something to give the feeling that this town is used for fishing mostly. The story needs to revolve around the characters and make the characters unique in there own way. I am sorry but its hard to write down what I am really trying to say, but if you really want some help in this i think you should play suikodeon 1 & 2 and FFVII I think these games really did a good job of the things i mentioned above. I usually play rpgs on console cause i never really tryed the ones on pc except diablo so i cant help much when it comes to pc rpg''s.

Freedom : I want to carve my own path, not be told what to do.

Depth : I enjoy a well thought out, well reasoned world. Nothing makes me slaver and stay up til'' 5 am on a worknight like an intelligently crafted milieu (actually, there are some other things... *ahem, anyway...* )

Versatile Problem-solving : I''m tired of murdering everything in my path. The most fun I ever had in a p&p RPG was playing a scientist. I never fired a shot. Loved that Fallout gave me this option as well. Give me a something repeatable I can do after I''ve solved the plot so I can stay in your world.

Originality, Please???? : I don''t actually mind fantasy, but I''d really friggin'' like people to stop ripping off Tolkein. For God''s sake, I''d be happy with armor wearing, 5 foot tall medieval insects that sacrifice artic virgins!!! Anything!!!!

The Texas Factor : I mean BIG, dangit!!!!!!!! I want a world so large that I don''t care to find its borders (be that in detail or size).


GURPS (western/futuristic), Alternity, TORG, Shadow Run, Champions, my own and many friends'' custom RPG, and *sigh* of course AD&D are my p&p experiences.

CRPGs: Fallout 1&2, Starflight, Sentinel Worlds, many Ultimas, some Baldur''s, System Shock 2, and far too many AD&D Pool of Radiance type Gold Box games to remember...

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Just waiting for the mothership...

Hi again, I just wanted to hit this thread again this morning to thank those that have taken the time to share their ideas on gaming. I have been following this topic closely and of course taking notes :p

thx again guys .. hope to hear more!