Game Master Guidance: There's More Than Just Dungeons & Dragons

A common lament in nearly every online Roleplaying Game community is that people only seem to ever want to play Dungeons & Dragons. It’s not a huge surprise, considering that by all accounts, D&D is the de facto system. Just as to many people comic books are synonymous with superheroes, Dungeons & Dragons represents the entirety of the medium. How much the system “deserves” this position is irrelevant because no single genre, or game, for that matter, can encapsulate the sheer diversity of RPGs. Taxi Driver is a great movie but could you imagine only ever watching it? Similarly, a Game Master shouldn’t restrict themselves to a single system, no matter how comfortable you might be with it.

There are considerable benefits for the nascent Game Master when you experiment with other systems. The first system you discover isn’t necessarily the best one. By restricting your exposure, you can easily remain oblivious to a system more suited to your playstyle and sensibilities. Anyone who wants to get “serious” about RPGs, (whatever that constitutes) shouldn’t have such a limited perspective on the medium. Even if you end up going back to your old favorite, you’ll have picked up something from running an entirely different set of rules and another setting.
These new experiences will make a GM a better storyteller, as you’ll get a better sense of what RPGs are capable of. One system can only teach so much, so the quickest way to learn new tricks is to branch out. That’s not to say a single system GM isn’t going to get good but you’ll have a considerably harder time doing so.

The most immediate and pressing concern is the cost of a new system. If you want to play the newest, big name game, you might have to shell out $50 minimum for a hardcover rulebook. Or possibly several. However, in the digital age, it’s much easier to obtain RPGs at an affordable cost. There’s the obvious digital marketplaces, like Ebay and Amazon. If one isn’t opposed to PDFs, DriveThruRPG has a wealth of older and lesser known RPGs at affordable prices. If you want to support your brick and mortar games store, chances are they have used or small press games in stock. Of course, there’s a wealth of free systems to be found online. They’re mostly amateur productions or one page games but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few diamonds in the rough. Cost doesn’t have to be an issue if a GM and their players are willing to experiment.

The next issue is actually getting players to try a new system. Another common complaint from GMs is that their players aren’t willing to look at other options. As annoying as this might be, it’s understandable. A campaign is a serious commitment of time and energy, no matter a given player’s circumstances. Odds are they signed up for one specific game and they might not be interested in anything else. Even then, a GM has some options. Scheduling conflicts are always an issue with RPGs, so have a one shot of something ready for when one or more players can’t show up. They aren’t going to play the main campaign anyway, so at least now they’re getting something in its place. Alternatively, a GM can see if any of the players want to run something, so they can fill in on an off-day. Worst comes to worst, you might consider trying to find a new group, specifically to try out that system. Getting your players committed to a new system is difficult but it shouldn’t be impossible.

There’s nothing wrong with having a preferred system. Some GMs find the perfect fit early on and it can be hard to find the motivation to look elsewhere. Even then, it pays to mix things up and try out a new system every so often. Just as every system has its advantages, they always come with certain drawbacks. There isn’t any one game that can do everything and the few that claim to do so are never that fun to play. I’ve often heard new or would be GMs say they want to try something different but they intend to use the system they currently use to do it. And that’s usually D&D 5^th edition. That’s system is fine for what it is but if you’re trying to use it to run a political science fiction thriller, it’s time to look elsewhere.