Level less vs. Games without Levels

All games fit into one of two categories: those with levels and those without.

Dungeons and Dragons - arguably the grandfather of modern games - uses levels to measure character progress in the game. After a certain number of challenges, be they skill, combat, role playing, or whatever, the character gain experience points. Once enough points are gained the character increase in level. Ostensibly, the levels provide for "balance" across the various types of characters and monsters. (I'll attempt to cover the elusive concept of "balance" later.) The level less games provide the characters with some form of "experience points" usually called karma, legend points, or something else. The players can use these to increase the attributes and skills (or other aspects) of the characters.

Which has the advantage? I suppose it depends on which system you like. I personally prefer level less systems as a system with levels feels artificial.

As always, your mileage may vary (YMMV).

RPG

RPG = Role Playing Game

For those out there who have no idea was a Role Playing Game is let me explain. It honestly is as simple as the name indicates: it is a game wherein you play (or act out) a role. Everyone I have ever met has done this. I have never met a guy who didn't play "Cowboys and Indians" or "Cops and Robbers" as a boy, nor have I ever met a woman who didn't play "House" or "Tea Party" when she was a girl. And I've never meet anyone who hasn't played dress-up - even if it was just to wrap a towel around his neck to be superman. An RPG is simply a set of rules to govern the outcomes so you don't get, "My arrow shot you before you shot me." or "I believe you have already had two cups of tea."

WHY do I play? Because I enjoy it. And, honestly, it's relatively cheap escapism. Some people do movies, I play games.

Well, it's late (or early) and I have work tomorrow. Have a good day.

The new purpose of this blog

I suppose that in a way I have come full circle on this blog. After I gave up on the idea of an OGL based game, I thought about making it a general blob. (I say "thought" as I didn't do anything.) Now, I'm back with a spot to store ideas for my obsessive hobby which is Role Playing Games. So, this space will periodically be updated with thoughts in that vein.

Back after forever and ever

It has been almost two years since I last posted. Honestly I forgot about this blog's very existence. It took a virtual act of congress to get everything back together with the different terms of service and all that fun stuff.

Well I'm a dad again (the fourth) and couldn't be happier about it. She's an angel.

I suppose this is a test to see if I still remember everything.