Alright, listen up folks. I gotta talk to you about something that's near and dear to my heart. At the heart of any roleplaying experience are three essential elements: storytelling, character development, and player agency. And if you wanna create a truly immersive and engaging experience, you gotta prioritize these elements above all else.
That's where minimalist systems come in. See, a minimalist system should focus on the essentials and prioritize them above all else. Mechanics should serve these elements, rather than distract from them. Players should have the freedom to create and explore their characters without being bogged down by unreasonable, overly-complex limitations and restrictions.
Let's start with storytelling. This is perhaps the most essential element of roleplaying. At its core, it's a collaborative experience where players come together to create a narrative. And mechanics should support this, rather than hinder it. This can mean encouraging improvisation, creating settings and scenarios that are ripe for storytelling, and designing adventures that allow for flexibility and player creativity. That's what I've strived to accomplish in both DoubleZero and Foragers Manifesto.
But storytelling is only one piece of the puzzle. Character development is another essential element. Players should have the freedom to create and explore their characters, using character creation systems that allow for a wide range of customization. Mechanics should reward players for exploring their characters' motivations and creating immersive backstories.
And finally, player agency is an essential element. Players should have the freedom to make choices that impact the setting and the story. Mechanics should support this, rather than limiting it. This can mean creating mechanics that allow players to make meaningful choices, and creating worlds that are responsive to player choices and actions.
Look, I know some folks out there might be thinking, "Berin, why bother with all this stuff? Isn't roleplaying just about rolling dice and killing monsters?" And to those folks, I say, "Hell no!" See, roleplaying is about so much more than that. It's about creating immersive and emotionally resonant experiences, sparking imagination, and inspiring creativity.
So let's prioritize the essentials and create systems that truly capture the magic of roleplaying. Let's create worlds where storytelling, character development, and player agency are at the forefront. And let's use our power as designers to bring people together, create transformative experiences, and change the world for the better.