J.E Sawyer Guest Article on Kotaku about the balancing process

[C2B]

http://kotaku.com/how-to-balance-an-rpg-1625516832

Edited August 22, 2014 by C2B

[Infinitron]

You should have posted an excerpt like I did. :smug:

[C2B]

You should have posted an excerpt like I did. :smug:

 

*shakes fist*

[Tsuga C]

Take Out The Trash

 

"Trash" or "trap" options are a time-honored tradition in RPGs, both tabletop and computer. Trash options are choices that are intentionally designed to be bad, or that don't get enough attention during development and testing to actually be viable in the game.

 

It is now 2014 and, friends, I am here to tell you that trash options are bull[excrement].

 

In a computer RPG, any trash option that goes from designer's brain to the shipped product has probably gone through a few dozen cycles of implementation, testing, and revision. In the end, the trash option is the proverbial polished turd. Any seasoned RPG veteran that looks at it in detail realizes it's terrible and avoids it. Those who don't look closely or who aren't system masters may wind up picking it for their character under the mistaken impression that it's a viable choice. In any case, it's a bad option that the team spent a bunch of time implementing either for misguided schadenfreude or simple lack of attention.

 

 

Excerpt added for your gratification, Infinitron.

[Lephys]

You should have posted an excerpt like I did. :smug:

Then his post, like yours, would've been... excerptional. 6_u