Wednesday 20 June 2012

RPGs for the beginner!

So you have heard about this hobby called Role-Playing Games and you are interested in playing, how to start?  Well there are a couple of options:

I would certainly suggest, if you have never played a game before or don't have friends who are gamers, that you try and find a local RPG club.  There are more of them than you might think (though sadly less than there used to be).  They can often be found on college or university campuses and are generally open to the public (although best to call and enquire first).  The advantage of a club is that you cna very quickly find out if RPGs are your thing or not and there will be plenty of expert advice from veteran players and the recently new.  remember that they were all beginners at some point so don't feel that you are somehow out of place.  A respectable RPG club will be very welcoming to new players and give them plenty of advice.

Failing that, or after having played a game you feel you want to try a game of your own, here are my thoughts.  When it comes to buying a system, go for one that is simple and straightforward.  Most of the big systems have plenty of reviews for them on various online retail sites and specialist sites like RPG.net.  Some of these games have beginners versions of themselves that are designed to introduce new players to the hobby of RPGs.  Also, I would tend to say that when it comes to picking a first game go with your favourite genre, with a notable exception I'll mention at the end of this.  if you like fantasy, get a fantasy game.  if sci-fi is more your passion, go for a sci-fi game.  If you have a liking for a particular genre (or even tv show/films as there are many licensed products out there) then you are much more likely to enjoy using the game system.  This is not to say other systems and genres have no merit, only that it will make your first step into RPGs easier if the game is based on a genre you love.  Also your local gaming shop will be able to give tons of advice on good systems for a beginner to try out.  Whilst I am sure you might get the odd one trying to sell you the most expensive the overwhelming majority of stores will give proper advice on giving players the best system for their needs.

The only exception I would make with regards to picking genres or systems for a first timer is not to pick horror.  Horror RPGs are very difficult to pick up and play as a first time gamer as they are games reliant so much on atmosphere, and are so devastatingly difficult and brutal to characters, that the experience can often be underwhelming for a gamer.  Once you've got a few games under your belt then I would consider horror games but for the first few times, stick to the big genres like fantasy, scifi, westerns, super heroes, urban fantasy or modern games.

Also, don't be afraid to buy an older RPG 2nd hand. Whilst there is no doubt that modern games are more complex and wide-ranging with choices, there is something simple and direct about a lot of retro games that allow for new players I feel a little more than newer games (although I admit that is an entirely individual view, one I'm sure others may agree or disagree with).  I'm not an evangelist when it comes to the whole retro v modern gaming debate (I see merit in both sides of that debate) but as a way into the hobby for a beginner I see no problem with picking up a 2nd hand copy of the old red box Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set and using it as a first time game to get the concepts of role-playing down.

Ultimately, the games are about fun.  Get a few friends round and give it a go.  You may feel strange getting into character at first but go with it, it really is fun.




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