Spence

It seems that every movie studio has to learn the same lesson--sometimes over and over again--for themselves. They all seem to think that making movies which "appeal to kids" is equivalent to making movies "just for kids", thereby turning off the rest of the potential audience. "All ages" does not mean "little kids only", but few movie executives/producers seem to grok that.

I do not use any of the remote style virtual applications so I will not comment on them.
 
But for  a general game I have a few points.
 
1) Character builds.  Go over their concepts (or characters if converting) and then go home and build them yourself.  Alone.  They do not know the rules and trying to build the character while also trying to explain the why's will only make things take longer and frustrate you.  Just do the build yourself.
 
2) Create a player character sheet that is stripped, stripped I say, of ALL BUILD ANNOTATION.  Just leave the info needed in actual play.  For variable items, for example a Flame Blast spell that is actually an energy blast, do not say energy blast.  Just say Flame Blast 4d6.  If it uses end add "1 End per 1d6" for example.  Add descriptions of how anything works geared to flavor and in game while avoiding build speak.   Have an full hero build style character sheet on hand for any after session explanations on Hero's build rules.
 
3) Gratuitous Preaching to the Choir    
Once you get past building and build annotation and just have the actual final needed to play info, Hero is one of the easiest systems to play out there.  That is unless you load it down with each and every possible optional rule.  But if you don't it is easy.  I would recommend not using any maneuvers and ht location for session 1.  Just the basics.  Then add in something each session until you have the full meal.

It's not as much following along as lacking.
I find it completely uninteresting. It doesn't even reach boring.
 
But YMMV.  Everybody likes different things.  Who knows, in a couple years I may find it fascinating.  Currently I am watching a lot of subtitles (Korean & German).

Hmm.
I know everyone keeps on about "anytime now it will be utterly fantastically wonderful" but we've all seen new shows trying to find their footing and even if the cast is temporarily struggling with the roles.  But even those are somehow interesting and usually you can see the humor or story it is aiming for.  So far WandaVision has been meh.  Utterly lacking in humor or interesting anything.  If the show has planned itself around the audience having for knowledge of some obscure run of comics they should have run a banner with "read these first". 
 
And yes I know here comes the gaspers "its not obscure it's one of the most mostest stupendous comics arcs ever!".  But if it was the bestest ever then everyone would know what is going on without having to read forums to find out. 
 
In the end a show needs to stand on its own merit from episode 1, and so far to me.  And this is just my opinion.  It has completely failed to hold my attention at all. While it is true I have only managed to get through 2 episodes, they took multiple starts and many rewinds to get through.  
 
I'm not saying it is bad, I'm saying it is completely meh.  Being bad is still achieving something.  Maybe I'll try again try again when I can binge the entire season.  Right now it is just entirely forgettable as a show.

...the film version is the official version.  For ever 1 person who knows the comic book history and stories, there are 900 that thought books from the 1990's and later were comics and 9000 who know only the movies.
 
There fixed it
 
What?
 

Kirby was told to come up with a new version of his 4th world stuff for Marvel, particularly Darkseid, so Thanos is what he gave them.  Starlin made him a much more interesting, deeper character with all that wild mystical stuff.  But the sad thing is, as the Explain This Comics Guys say...
 
...the film version is the official version.  For ever 1 person who knows the comic book history and stories, there are 9000 who know only the movies.

I've been listening to the Explain This Comics Guys podcast by fellow Herophile Darren Watts and what strikes me is how similar the release schedule for Marvel films mimics the actual history of Marvel Comics releases.  Its not exact in the order, but starting out with Iron Man and Thor then going on to Dr Strange, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, then a new roster of Avengers with late 70s and mid 80s characters etc is kind of Marvel's arc.
 
Obviously FF came out first but that was before MCU really got their act together (and, technically, it did predate Iron Man, but not X-Men).

Actually they are miles apart.
 
"Efficient Character Building" is when a player tries to build their character the best they can within the boundaries set by the GM.
 
"Powergaming" is when the player fully understands the parameters and intent for the game, and yet deliberately circumvents them in a planned and deliberate manner intended to undermine or break that game.
 
Powergaming has such a bad meaning for so many people because there is no good to it. 
 
 
Coming up with a more efficient build for your 1 1/2d6 KA blackpowder six shooter for a 1830s historical western game is being "efficient".
 
Showing up with the 6d6 AP KA gatling gun because "I had the points and they existed!" followed by the standard "I'm being railroaded" whining is not. That is pure "powergaming".
 
Big, no HUGE difference.
 
 

That's one way to handle it!  Make them speak German and you could sell it to Netflix. 😉

I’m waiting for the crossover King Kong vs Mario & Luigi. 

That's completely fair. I didn't find the sitcom bits interesting either. It was a case of too much backdrop, not enough plot advancement in the first couple of episodes, as you wait for the clues to drop. I do think it's going to pick up the pace going forward starting with 4, but I can see how the first three, especially the first two, episodes are a chore to get through.

I was answering the within the topic.  Not the entirety of what a Powergamer is.
 
I can though. 
 
Min/Maxers and every other type of player are usually just trying to make the best PC they can within the bounds of the game the agreed to play.  They are not trying to get over on the GM or other players just to be p*icks.  They are just having fun.  Min/Maxers can be problematic if there is only one of them in a geme, not because they are bad, but because they can put all the other players at disadvantage and even get them killed off if the GM doesn't handle the difference in character ability well.
 
Powergamers are entirely different.  They are the people that go out of their way to break games and screw with the other players.  They agree to a game and then purposely misunderstand and constantly try to inject things that may appear in a rulebook, but goes against the theme or world build.
They also constantly cry about how they are "only being efficient" or how they are "being railroaded" when neither even apply.  They are called powergamers because they only care about controlling the entire game.  To force the game from what it is to one that they want.   As players they are the toxic entity we call Powergamers and as GM's they are the actual types that really do railroad their players.  Though they usually don't actually like to GM.  Sadly, like most scumbags they have gotten many people associate Powergamer with Min/Maxer and as few other terms as well.  Some people even call themselves powergamers with out realizing why they suddenly can't find a game.
 
Fortunately, most people do not encounter them.  If you play at a FLGS they can be recognized as the people that hang out but can never actually get into a game because none of the GM will run for them.   They only play when there is a "open" store game.   My FLGS actually had one of their League tables set up specifically for them so they wouldn't ruin other tables, especially those with new players trying out D&D.
 
 

There is a definite established difference between Starfleet and non-Starfleet in pretty much all the series.
It is just most people tend to try and paint a one size fits all stamp on things.  The TV series made it pretty obvious that some ships, especially long term explorers or long term science vessels would have family aboard.  But they had far more stories rooted in "I hardly ever saw my father/mother/etc. because they were Starfleet and always gone on their ships". 
 
So I am guessing it is like most modern services when posted out of their home country. 
If the posting is low risk, then it is accompanied. 
If it is not, then it is unaccompanied.
 
Simple and logical. 

I'm actually amazed at this entire thread.
 
The real question can only be based on type of game.  If the RPG you are playing is a straight forward hackfest, there is little need for secrecy.  On the other hand if the game is investigative or a mystery, secrecy is vital.
 
But all that is actually irrelevant.
The true issue here is that some players have had a bad experience in the past and have painted everyone because of that.
 
For me personally, if I decide a game I am running needs secrecy because it revolves around the unknown, then I will make rolls in secret.  What player that has issues with it is really saying is "you are an untrustworthy liar" based on an event I have nothingto do with.  That is their problem not mine and they should seek out another GM.
 
I love to run and I have yet to disappoint anyone as far as I know.  I am upfront with my games and find it far better to walk away from false expectations. A GM is not there to cater to people with unresolved trust issues, and I for one don't appreciate being called a liar at my table. 

Exactly.
 
And here I kick the hornets nests and being out the mob with pitchforks and torches.
 
I have run intro games for Pathfinder, D&D5th, and Star Wars using the starter sets and Hero using my home built, all with pregens and it was easier for the players with Hero.  Why?  Hero's uses one single die mechanic for literally everything.  3d6 roll low.  
 
 
Better use of words than my feeble attempts.
 
This is another place I will invoke outrage.
 
There has never been a product for Hero built this way.  EVER.
 
But but but but there was Robot Warriors
But but but but there was Narosia
But but but but there was Monster Hunters International
 
And none of those titles fit the description.
They all contain the full design build rules, which in my opinion is the reason Hero is dying. 
 
A Robot Warriors stand alone powered by Hero game would not contain anything on how to buy/build/customize anything.
The only thing you customize by points would be characteristics and buying tailored skills. 
The equipment would be from a list for the setting. 
Mecha frames woudl be picked from a list, not 1/2's, 1/4's or anything.  Just a size and bottom line cost and capacity to hold stuff.  Also bought from a list WITH NO BUILD ANYTHING. 
 
Players could pick up the book and "build" their mechs and never even realize that build rules exist.  In the back, WAY BACK, buried in an appendix you can have the full wright ups with a note that being able to fully customize and expand things could be done by purchasing Champions Complete or Hero 6th. 
 
But Powered By Hero does not mean "include system core design rules".
 
I'd am waiting to see that

I'm actually amazed at this entire thread.
 
The real question can only be based on type of game.  If the RPG you are playing is a straight forward hackfest, there is little need for secrecy.  On the other hand if the game is investigative or a mystery, secrecy is vital.
 
But all that is actually irrelevant.
The true issue here is that some players have had a bad experience in the past and have painted everyone because of that.
 
For me personally, if I decide a game I am running needs secrecy because it revolves around the unknown, then I will make rolls in secret.  What player that has issues with it is really saying is "you are an untrustworthy liar" based on an event I have nothingto do with.  That is their problem not mine and they should seek out another GM.
 
I love to run and I have yet to disappoint anyone as far as I know.  I am upfront with my games and find it far better to walk away from false expectations. A GM is not there to cater to people with unresolved trust issues, and I for one don't appreciate being called a liar at my table. 

Exactly.
 
And here I kick the hornets nests and being out the mob with pitchforks and torches.
 
I have run intro games for Pathfinder, D&D5th, and Star Wars using the starter sets and Hero using my home built, all with pregens and it was easier for the players with Hero.  Why?  Hero's uses one single die mechanic for literally everything.  3d6 roll low.  
 
 
Better use of words than my feeble attempts.
 
This is another place I will invoke outrage.
 
There has never been a product for Hero built this way.  EVER.
 
But but but but there was Robot Warriors
But but but but there was Narosia
But but but but there was Monster Hunters International
 
And none of those titles fit the description.
They all contain the full design build rules, which in my opinion is the reason Hero is dying. 
 
A Robot Warriors stand alone powered by Hero game would not contain anything on how to buy/build/customize anything.
The only thing you customize by points would be characteristics and buying tailored skills. 
The equipment would be from a list for the setting. 
Mecha frames woudl be picked from a list, not 1/2's, 1/4's or anything.  Just a size and bottom line cost and capacity to hold stuff.  Also bought from a list WITH NO BUILD ANYTHING. 
 
Players could pick up the book and "build" their mechs and never even realize that build rules exist.  In the back, WAY BACK, buried in an appendix you can have the full wright ups with a note that being able to fully customize and expand things could be done by purchasing Champions Complete or Hero 6th. 
 
But Powered By Hero does not mean "include system core design rules".
 
I'd am waiting to see that

Without the powers and modifiers info I was able to squeeze Hero down to about 150 pages, including combat etc in Western Hero.  Powers and mods, frameworks etc take up a ton of space.

Just to note.
 
My stand has zero to do with one player who already knows Hero teaching others.  I have never found that to be any harder than any other RPG.
 
I am trying to come up with what I think we need.   A way to allow a group where no one knows anything about Hero can be introduced to it. 
 
 
 
 
 

You had to go there......

Just to note.
 
My stand has zero to do with one player who already knows Hero teaching others.  I have never found that to be any harder than any other RPG.
 
I am trying to come up with what I think we need.   A way to allow a group where no one knows anything about Hero can be introduced to it. 
 
 
 
 
 

Just to note.
 
My stand has zero to do with one player who already knows Hero teaching others.  I have never found that to be any harder than any other RPG.
 
I am trying to come up with what I think we need.   A way to allow a group where no one knows anything about Hero can be introduced to it. 
 
 
 
 
 

Just to note.
 
My stand has zero to do with one player who already knows Hero teaching others.  I have never found that to be any harder than any other RPG.
 
I am trying to come up with what I think we need.   A way to allow a group where no one knows anything about Hero can be introduced to it. 
 
 
 
 
 

Granted, by its very definition a free downloadable starter for Champions won’t make anybody any money now.  But unless Hero Games starts bringing in new people really soon to want to play the games and buy the products then nobody’s going to be buying anything...ever.
  I’m just glad someone is at least considering the problem.  Thanks.

Providing pre-built characters with only the essential information can work very well for beginners.