As an avid gamer, simply too often do I have to either handwave a rule or have to hit the forums or FAQs. Now, Pathfinder obviously is not a competitive game like Magic: the Gathering is, so clear rules text is not quite as important, but the difference is still glaring.
Maybe a better comparison would be the Arkham Horror Card Game. Also not a competitive game but rather a cooperative one, but it's rules are so crisp that is honestly a joy to play with them. Keywords are king.
Pathfinder needs that. You need proofreaders *specifically* for rules text. You need to clearly differentiate rules and flavor text. All of this would surely make the game simpler to pick up (and, maybe more importantly, simpler to play), which seems to be one of the goals of the second edition.
I'm not saying there is no place for GM fiat in Pathfinder. The Golden Rule still stays: What the GM says, goes; or rather: What the group wants, goes. Maybe you could even include a text for complicated issues where you specifically leave rulings up to the GM (maybe within certain guidelines). But better rules text would make this game, well, better. Plus it also sets guidelines for future releases, making the design process easier.
Purple prose isnt helpful in rules text, but it goes a long ways towards immersion and verisimilitude. Lose it and the rules can feel too gamey.
Purple prose isnt helpful in rules text, but it goes a long ways towards immersion and verisimilitude. Lose it and the rules can feel too gamey.
I love flavor text! I just want to to be clear what is flavor text and what is rules text - just make flavor text cursive or whatever, that's all I'm asking.
I get paid for reading law. I'd hate to have to read law and not be able to bill that on anybody.
I think there's a difference between legalese and concise rules text. Do you enjoy having to work out rules issues, then?
Purple prose isnt helpful in rules text, but it goes a long ways towards immersion and verisimilitude. Lose it and the rules can feel too gamey.
5th Edition Hero System Core Rulebook. As much as I love that system, I can't just "read" the rulebook. It's a reference book, not something to read. AD&D1st was beautiful read (if you can take Gygaxian purple prose), but it sufferes as a reference book. I really liked the balance Starfinder had, or the Genesys Core book from FFG.