KORPG™ Games 
Answer The Question
My curiosity has been piqued.
When it comes to purchasing a RPG system, what’s the main reason you would fork over your hard earned money on a game?
- Genre
- Price
- Author
- Publisher
- Rules
- Artwork
- Compatibility
- Familiarity
- Reviews
- Other
In addition, perhaps you could explain in a comment, “Why?”
For me, it’s sorta the whole package. I’m a compulsive game-buyer – but to keep me buying is a more clear point for me. I enjoy art — but art is subjective and it’s hardly the most important thing to me. I also really appreciate good layout and editing. Those two things go a long way toward winning me over (primarily because quality layout and editing show me that the writer/designer cared enough to pay attention to the details).
Honestly though, rules are paramount. If I don’t like the system/rules, I’m not going to enjoy the game, so I’m not going to enjoy playing it (or would I spend time playing it).
So that’s pretty much my thinking.
Non-d20 rules are key for me at this point. I spent years playing d20, which is okay, but I’m intrigued by systems that are drastically different. The more a game baffles its reviewers, the more likely I am to pick it up, partly because I like to think about how bizarre rules shape the types of stories people tell.
High quality presentation also pulls me in. If something has professional art, custom cards or dice, or fancy books, I’ll grab it and pay a higher price. Solid editing is an absolute must, and realistic women who aren’t embarrassingly sexualized also help.
All that being said, if it’s Warhammer, I’ll probably pick it up even if all of the above aren’t true.
Excellent summation of your buying drivers Rhetorical Gamer.
So primary is rules, followed by the whole package with an emphasis to layout, design, editing and art?
Interesting Llanwyre.
I must admit I find your inclination for bizarre rule-sets rather intriguing.
Care to give an example of what you’d currently consider a good “bizarre” game?