An impassioned plea

[GeekySpaz]

Steve,

As you consider all the proposed changes to the Hero System, both those proposed by yourself and by others please do all of us who are fans of this system a huge favor. Crack open the nearest copy of 5th edition revised to page 5 and read the 5th paragraph in the first column. Remember carefully what thoughts led you to write those words.

All of us who play the 5th edition are fans of the system that is. Many of us would like to see changes but few of us can agree as to exactly what those changes should be. I believe I can safely say that almost everyone who plays the current game can agree that it is, as written in the current edition, a wonderful system and indeed one of the greatest of all time.

Almost all of the changes proposed, including a couple that you seem very keen to implement, do not excite me, they trouble me. I wouldn’t be writing this if I believed I was alone in that opinion. I believe that if many of these changes are made that many of us will not see a vastly improved version of the game we love but rather we will see the game we love go out of print and a new game, which many of us would enjoy less, would be published in its place though under the same name.

I don’t know that I can make a detailed and logical, convincing argument as to why these changes should not be made. I am not that skilled in debating these points. The improvement or deterioration of a roleplaying game from one edition to the next is not an exact science and therefore I cannot formulate a mathematical proof for why I think a given change should not be made. I could make a list of the changes I disagree with but undoubtedly there would be fellow fans, equally invested in the system, who would vehemently disagree with my opinions. Likewise I could make a list of the changes I am in favor of and again my opinions would not satisfy everyone. The changes I agree with or disagree with are not the reason I am writing this.

I am not trying to say that every change must be bad, nor am I saying there is not room for improvement. I am saying that every change must be considered very carefully and the default action be to not make a change unless there is a overwhelming and compelling reason for that change, that the system is broken and cannot be fixed without such a change. I believe such changes, from the current edition, to be few if any. Certainly the system could benefit from some minor streamlining and perhaps an overhaul in organization/presentation.

In closing you hold in your hand what many of us would consider to be a beautiful diamond of a system and you are preparing a knife to yet again shape this jewel. I don’t believe the system has ever before faced a bifurcation point of quite this magnitude. With the decision to make a 6th edition and with the decision to scrutinize every aspect of the system the Hero system faces a future of great potential growth or even greater disaster. I implore you, small cuts and take great care with what we all consider to be a beautiful jewel. Please remember that whether we agree with the proposed changes or not most of us would agree that the system, as is, without any changes, is one of the best systems ever.

[Sean Waters]

Nicely put.

On the other hand, make a safe cut, and you might end up with something comparatively ordinary. It is only by making the bold cut, and possibly by courting disaster, that something truly extraordinary might be revealed. If all we are going to do is tighten up the prose and make a few minor changes, a 6th edition really is not justified, and investing in a new edition that isn't sufficiently remarkable to attract everyone's attention, and their hard earned cash, could be just as disastrous for the company.

We shouldn't be hacking away for the sake of it, but bear in mind that if it all goes horribly wrong, no one is going to come to your house and burn your copy of 5ER.

[GeekySpaz]

We shouldn't be hacking away for the sake of it, but bear in mind that if it all goes horribly wrong, no one is going to come to your house and burn your copy of 5ER.

But if it does go wrong then suddenly my copy of 5th edition becomes an irreplaceable treasure of a book no longer in print.

[Alibear]

Ebay will always be your friend.

[ghost-angel]

In the end we are a Vocal Minority.

Who are we to think we know what the majority of Hero Gamers want?

I believe Steve takes this endeavor very seriously and isn't just changing things to move words around.

[Tonio]

In the end we are a Vocal Minority.

Who are we to think we know what the majority of Hero Gamers want?

I believe Steve takes this endeavor very seriously and isn't just changing things to move words around.

As true for HERO as it is for most any game/forum. I remember reading the World of Warcraft forums (fora?), back when I played, and thinking "gee, I must really be screwed up... I can see a problem here and there, but I don't think the game's absolutely broken, like everybody seems to think". Then in-game, most people seemed to share my views of the game having a coupla problems, but nothing big.

Forums (fora?) usually do not accurately represent the population. Not only are posters usually more passionate about their positions than non-posters, but their motivations usually differ, too.

[nexus]

Steve,

As you consider all the proposed changes to the Hero System, both those proposed by yourself and by others please do all of us who are fans of this system a huge favor. Crack open the nearest copy of 5th edition revised to page 5 and read the 5th paragraph in the first column. Remember carefully what thoughts led you to write those words.

All of us who play the 5th edition are fans of the system that is. Many of us would like to see changes but few of us can agree as to exactly what those changes should be. I believe I can safely say that almost everyone who plays the current game can agree that it is, as written in the current edition, a wonderful system and indeed one of the greatest of all time.

Almost all of the changes proposed, including a couple that you seem very keen to implement, do not excite me, they trouble me. I wouldn’t be writing this if I believed I was alone in that opinion. I believe that if many of these changes are made that many of us will not see a vastly improved version of the game we love but rather we will see the game we love go out of print and a new game, which many of us would enjoy less, would be published in its place though under the same name.

I don’t know that I can make a detailed and logical, convincing argument as to why these changes should not be made. I am not that skilled in debating these points. The improvement or deterioration of a roleplaying game from one edition to the next is not an exact science and therefore I cannot formulate a mathematical proof for why I think a given change should not be made. I could make a list of the changes I disagree with but undoubtedly there would be fellow fans, equally invested in the system, who would vehemently disagree with my opinions. Likewise I could make a list of the changes I am in favor of and again my opinions would not satisfy everyone. The changes I agree with or disagree with are not the reason I am writing this.

I am not trying to say that every change must be bad, nor am I saying there is not room for improvement. I am saying that every change must be considered very carefully and the default action be to not make a change unless there is a overwhelming and compelling reason for that change, that the system is broken and cannot be fixed without such a change. I believe such changes, from the current edition, to be few if any. Certainly the system could benefit from some minor streamlining and perhaps an overhaul in organization/presentation.

In closing you hold in your hand what many of us would consider to be a beautiful diamond of a system and you are preparing a knife to yet again shape this jewel. I don’t believe the system has ever before faced a bifurcation point of quite this magnitude. With the decision to make a 6th edition and with the decision to scrutinize every aspect of the system the Hero system faces a future of great potential growth or even greater disaster. I implore you, small cuts and take great care with what we all consider to be a beautiful jewel. Please remember that whether we agree with the proposed changes or not most of us would agree that the system, as is, without any changes, is one of the best systems ever.

Well put and I share your concerns. I have issues with many of the changes and, honestly, I am not a skilled debater nor quite as much of a gear head as many of the posers here so I don't think I can argue my points very effectively even if, IMO, they're good points. And yes, I agree Hero is one of the best systems I've ever encountered.

[steamteck]

Let me add my voice to those who share similar concerns. HERO has been the only system I've ever played without major revisions and 6th edition I hope will continue this trend but there are at least 2 changes I know I would have to add back in.

[Hugh Neilson]

Well put and repp'ed.

[Steve Long]

I appreciate the passion, but as I've said elsewhere -- please confine your comments in this forum to rules issues. Nor, with due respect, do I need to be lectured about what I've previously written or to "be cautious" with things. Believe me, I spend more time considering the implications of this stuff than any of you; it's my job.