Another questionnaire

I've been away from the blog for a bit trying to clear up some projects and take care of things offline. I'll be posting some new material soon.

In the meantime, I ran the second session of my new LL game and created a character to play in another LL game using Infrno. I also threw together some quick answers to Barking Alien's question list:

1) What is the most common type of environment or terrain encountered thus far in your current or most recent campaign?

I've only run two sessions so far, so it would have to be either forest or a pair of ancient towers.

2) What is the most exotic or unusual environment or terrain encountered thus far in your current or most recent campaign?

The closest thing in my current game would be a magical gate between a pair of ancient towers. The PCs haven't found anything too exotic yet.

3) What environment or terrain type have you never used but always wanted to? Why haven't you?

The lake of elemental fire pictured on the back of the first printing of the 1E DMG. None of my players has gotten a character to the plane of fire yet.

4) Do you have a combat rule or mechanic from another game system you are using in the game system you currently play, played recently or generally play?

The only adapted combat mechanic I use is critical hits. On a natural 20, you threaten a critical. If you make a successful attack roll, your attack does maximum damage.

5) In your opinion, what genre has received too little attention in regards to RPGs based on that subject?

I've seen games for every genre I can think of right now. I'd like to see better mechanics and systems for some, but the games exist at least.

6) If a quality RPG on the aforementioned neglected genre came out tomorrow, what would make you buy it? What would prevent you from buying it?

For any game, solid mechanics, an imaginative setting or story twist, and personal interest in the genre or setting make me more likely to buy it. The things that would prevent me from buying a game are games the opposite of those things and poor design, editing, and layout. If you can't take the time to properly proofread and edit your game, I don't want to take the time to read it.

7) Do you find it easier to learn the rules of a game by reading the rule book or by sitting down and just playing it?

I usually do a combination. I read the rules to get a general sense of the game. Then I make a character or two and run some mock combats and skill or mechanics tests. Then I play it and see how it works overall.

8) Name a currently available artist not normally associated with RPGs who you'd love to see do some RPG work.

I have no idea. The current artists I know have all done at least a small amount of game work at some point.

9) What one book, movie, video, etc. that is not an RPG that you think should be.

I'm not a fan of RPGs based on branded properties. I prefer to adapt things from different properties into something unique to the group I'm playing with.

10) Can you think of an RPG you've run or played in which the GM (be it you or someone else) used/referenced non-game related books to run the campaign more often then game related books?

There are thousands of references that I and my fellow GMs have used for games, but none have been referenced more than the actual game rulebooks.