Tabletop RPGs!

[Tegan]

You could swing by a local game shop and see if there are any ongoing games looking for players or any one shots.

Are you interested more in hack and slash or in the story? What sort of setting (wizards & dragons, modern age, paranormal, wild west, cyberpunk, space opera, etc)?

If you're looking at running a game there are many one-shot/pre-written scenarios out there that could be a good way to explore a rules set.

[Seawood]

Isn't that a great episode! :) I actually have the Dragon Age RPG myself and plan to run it sometime this year; I'm a long-term D&D player but never DMd. The DA game mechanics are pretty easy to get your head round - much less complex than D&D, so if you want a fantasy setting DA is actually ideal. I think that's one of the reasons Tabletop is showcasing it, actually, although the initial game that comes packaged with it is different to what Wil et al are playing - you don't start out as Grey Wardens at all. The setting is superb, especially if you're familiar with the videogame, but you don't need to have played it. My group (when I finally get round to it) will be a mixture of people who've "been to Ferelden by Xbox" before and several who've only played D&D.

If you want something with more of a horror/Lovecraftian vibe then I would recommend Tremulus: http://rpggeek.com/rpgitem/130620/tre... - nice easy set-up, simple mechanics and a great way to scare yourself silly. Again, no familarity with Lovecraft necessary but it is a wonderful background. We played it at Halloween and went all-out in costume, just for fun. :)

[Miztres]

Dragonage RPG is good, only three d6 for all rolls and no complicated map i
or minis.

If you can find a copy the Dungeons and dragons red box game is a great introduction. You are walked through creating characters as you play the game. It can even be played by one person.

I also have a copy of "The legend of Drizzt" based on the books by Savatore.

I think there's a lot out there so just find youself a good gamestore.

[Tegan]

The reason I mentioned hack and slash vs story telling is some systems support one more than the other. Yes, you can do both in any system with a good GM (or a bad one if you get my drift).

I'm going to mention some gaming systems, mostly are ones that are on my gaming shelf - MANY more exist.

D&D games can be more hack and slash, but there is a wealth of of modules out there to run in the system. There are a number of games that bascially run off of the D&D system (though I believe largely off 3rd ed) including Shadowrun (futureistic D&D) and StarDragons (dragons in SPAAAAACE). D&D uses D3, 4, 6, 10, 12 (sometimes), and largely D20's.

Pathfinder is formed from a split off from D&D, and while I haven't had a chance to play in a Pathfinder game, I know many ppl who perfer it to D&D.

White Wolf games tend to be very narrative oriented. Could possibly considered horror, but more of a dark setting rather than a horror setting. I believe the subtitle for Changeling is "A tale of beautiful madness" so you can see how they can be dark. WhiteWolf is mostly known for World of Darkness that contains (in various editions depending on the GM) - Vampire, Werewolf, Changeling, Mage, Hunter, Prometheus (I think this is only the latest generation, and you're a construct). White Wolf uses D10s

In Nomine (Good & Evil - Life & Death - Rock & Roll) is a Steve Jackson Games production. It's a game about angels and demons. Played with 3 D6s

RIFTS is set 300 years in the future after a Great Cataclysm, an event that decimated the human population but brought back magic. There is magic and bionics, tears in space and time. Huge selection of character types to choose from in the core book.

Legend of the Five Rings - setting based on feudal japan, but with magic and evil as a tangible force. A game where the setting's etiquette matters (since insulting the emperor can result in a death sentence or worse). D10 system.

Deliria: Fairy Tales for the new Millenium - a game I picked up but have never gotten to play. The creator used to work for White Wolf, so it is similar to changeling. Very much about the character, has the potential for a very unique game play as the rules allow for several different methods of resolving challenges as well as fluidity in changing who is running the game.

Deadlands - Wild West meets hell. Deck of cards is key for resolving challenges. Somewhat unique in that your character can be unplayable/dead before you ever play it thanks to the twists in the character creation system.

Pax Draconis - futuristic sci-fi with some fantasy. dragons, other races, space travel, all that jazz. I remember using D12s which are probably otherwise the most under utilized die, though the amazon description says D100 system (usually approximated with two D10s).

There are also games for many popular literary and movie settings. I'm currently in a Star Wars game. There is a Dresden Files RPG, I've got a print out (from PDF) of a Discworld RPG.

Most games tend to be "adventure" in some way or another, just over all world's are different. Avoid C'thulhu settings if you don't want horror.

[Seawood]

Joia wrote: "Would tabletop gaming work via Google+ Hangout? "

I think it could work with a group that knows each other well and has some experience, but it does depend on the group. I've tried VoIP plus http://www.fantasygrounds.com/ software and whilst it was ok, it was no match for sitting face to face. Good enough to tide me over whilst I had a newborn and my group was very scattered geographically, but in all honesty I'd rather do what I do now and drive a full hour each way every fortnight to play in person. For a Hangout I think an enormous amount would depend on the sound quality - that was a big sticking point for us with VoIP.

[Shannon]

I know a few people who game over G+ hangouts, but I more people kluge together a system with Skype + other online tools like inferno.

If you want an old-school feel with less...overhead, I guess (less required reading, easier to get into for both players & GM, don't need to be able to name all the different types of polearms), you can try Dungeon World. It's a hack of an indie game called Apocalypse World, which has amazing mechanics, and D&D, so you get the classic gaming feel with less of a time cost.

http://www.dungeon-world.com/

[RogueHireling]

I highly recommend the Pathfinder beginner box.
http://paizo.com/products/btpy8osv?Pa...
It has everything you need to start playing and even has a choose your own adventure that you can play by yourself. Its really a fabulous introduction to the game.