The hobby requires a segment that is experimenting with minimal systems. Today's proto-designers need to learn what is missing by its absence. All three elements of GNS are necessary for games to be good. Too lopsided and the game is likely to suck (or not be a game at all). Too evenly balanced and the game will be bland and stale quickly. Trevor Devall is making a statement right now with Broken Empires 'Sim-lite' system. It looks like fun, but hit location tables don't scale well. Is that design choice extreme or fit for purpose?
The hobby requires a segment that is experimenting with minimal systems. Today's proto-designers need to learn what is missing by its absence. All three elements of GNS are necessary for games to be good. Too lopsided and the game is likely to suck (or not be a game at all). Too evenly balanced and the game will be bland and stale quickly. Trevor Devall is making a statement right now with Broken Empires 'Sim-lite' system. It looks like fun, but hit location tables don't scale well. Is that design choice extreme or fit for purpose?
Great article, many good points.