Welcome to Episode 22 of ‘What Is Roleplay?! This episode we are joined by RPG designer and author Dan Sumption to discuss Rules Light Roleplaying Games

• Rules light Roleplaying Games (RPGS) are games that have a very simple rules framework so that the learning curve is nice and easy and the players are more free to approach and enjoy the game.
• There is a stronger emphasis on imagination and freedom, rather than being stifled by heavy rules.
• Episode 15 of What Is Roleplay would be a helpful listen for those interested in Rules Light RPG.
• Dungeons & Dragons is a game that many people have heard of and is the introductory game for many people getting into roleplaying games. Unfortunately it has very complicated rules, also known as crunch, and can be quite off putting.
• Rules light games involve a lot more imaginative play, something we all naturally did as children but have often forgotten since.
• Dan chats with Chris about Into The Odd, a game that has no hit rolls, meaning you don’t have to roll to check if your attacks actually hit them. This changes combat a great deal, and bring a great gravity and consequence to fighting. This inspires players to think about non-combative ways of dealing with conflict.
• Chris mentions the real-time mechanic used in NOVA by Spencer Campbell, whereby the GM keeps the game moving by telling players they’ve taken too long to complete there turn.
• The key difference between traditional RPGs and rules light RPGs is that the creator is leaving more scope for imagination and making things up on the fly. You’re going to write your own rules as you play the game.
• Some games within the rules light category lend themselves to quickplay and short games session, sometimes know as one-shots. One such example that Dan enjoys is Lasers & Feelings.
• Dan feels that there is a certain level of trust needed within the group of players to play a rules light game. If there are people in your party that are super competitive you might need a few more rules in place to make sure they don’t bulldoze the rest of the party.
• Dan also introduces us to some of the games that have been created using the Into the Odd system such as Cairn, Mausritter, Electric Bastionland & Weird North. Because these rules light systems are so simple your really encouraged to do your own world building and make your own hack of the original system. The simplicity really encourages your own creativity.
• Dan Shares some tips on how to run a rules light games session:
  • Don’t be afraid – just lean into the experience and enjoy it. Even if you think your ideas are rubbish they may well lead to something really interesting during play.
  • Allow for collaborative play – everyone should be free to contribute ideas and build the world and wider rules together.
  • If there isn’t a rule for it don’t just say no – figure out what works for your group and then go for it!
  • Don’t bog the game down in too much mathematics
• Chris makes the point that rules light RPGs usually enable players to set up, have an adventure and finish in around about 3hrs. This is incredibly helpful when you only have one evening together. And the simplicity usually allows for hilarious adventures to unfold with gonzo stuff like bags of teeth and death by nose bleed!
• Dan & CM Lowry enjoy at Rules Light Actual Play set in a snowy cottage and using a standard deck of playing cards
  • Clubs = Other People
  • Diamonds = Riches
  • Hearts = Magic
  • Spades = The Land
  • By drawing cards the story unfolds – a lonely wizard lives in a remote cottage on a hill after being banished from the local town after the people rose up against them. They are drawing on the power of the land through Geomancy. Listen in to see what’s on the cards for our wizard and the towns folk.

Links to things we discussed:

Games:

• Mostly Harmless Meetings by Dan Sumption
• Nice Weather for Fish by Dan Sumption
• DnD 5th Edition
• Itch.io
• Into The Odd by Chris McDowall
• Nova by Spencer Campbell
• Lasers & Feelings by John Harper
• Cairn by Yochai Gal
• Mausritter by Losing Games
• Electric Bastionland by Chris McDowell
• Cyberpunk RED
• Knave by Ben Milton
• Loot Goons by Chris Bissette
• CVLT of the Hadron Lamb by Christian Eichhorn
• Kingdom by Ben Robbins
• In My End Is My Beginning by Dan Sumption

Books, Authors, Etc.

• Matter of Britain by Crab & Bee
• Learning to Draw Trees by Dan Sumption
• Contingency RPG Convention
• This Book I Read Podcast Episode with Dan Sumption

More about Dan

• Dan on Instagram – @dansumption
• Peakrill Press Website – peakrill.com
• Peakrill Press Linktree

More about Us

• Beyond Cataclysmon Bluesky @beyondcataclysm.bsky.social
• CM Lowry’s website – All About Chris
• Website – beyondcataclysm.co.uk
• Patreon – Patreon.com/beyondcataclysm

Actual Play Quick Map drawn by: Jog Brogzin

With music generously provided by: Powerplant & Imploders.

The post What is Roleplay #22: Rules Light RPG with Dan Sumption first appeared on Beyond Cataclysm.