What is OSR? Part 2

So this is a continuation of the previous post "what is OSR?". The OSR, or old school reniassance, is on to be sure. In this post, I'll attempt to define what makes an "old school" game.

There are many things that make a game old school. And much has already been written on this subject, the best of which is Matthew Finch's "Quick Primer for Old School Gaming". If you haven't read that, you should. If you've only played modern table top RPG's, or if you haven't played old school in a long time, you might be lost in an old school game. Either way the primer is a great starter.

As a player, the defining aspect of an old school game is the character sheet. In many modern games you are constantly looking at your sheet to try to determine what you can do or should do. In an old school game, your sheet tells you nothing. Instead, you just declare to the judge your action and then he acts as the arbitrator. In fact, players seldom need rule books after they've created their characters.

The other side of the coin is the judge's seat. In an old school game, the judge has the rules and makes rulings. In more modern style of play, the judge and the players know the rules and there are very few instances in which the judge needs to make a ruling. This makes for a lot of rules and a lot of rule books. While it's not impossible to play old school style with a more modern games, it's difficult because the rules always win out. In old school games, the judge is the rule. He makes or breaks the game by his rulings.

And that leads us to the downside of an old school game; it requires skill. It requires skill as a player because modules, dungeons, or adventures are difficult and you'll get killed if you think you can stand toe to toe against monsters time and time again and win. It requires skill as a judge because you are challenged to make or break the game. Your judgements have to be fair and your storytelling interesting or you will find your table empty at the next game session.

So to me those are the core ideas of a good old school game. My next game is Tuesday, when is yours?

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