Why Play Simplicity?

Why play Simplicity? That’s a fair question. After all, there’s a slew of fantasy RPGs to chose from out there. I could say, “Because it’s simple gaming at its best!” But that would be a vain and subjective answer. Instead, I’ll provide a short list of reasons and let you decide for yourself.

1. It’s easy. Odds are you already know the rules for another fantasy roleplaying game. If so, learning a new system may seem like a chore. I won’t disagree. Most RPGs have lengthy and complex rulebooks that, even after reading, you still feel like you do not completely understand. That is not the case with Simplicity. At only 48 pages, getting through the rules is simple. With less rules to absorb, learning to play should be an easier task.

2. It’s flexible. Want to play a bow-wielding priest from an alternate plane? Do it! You decide what kind of character you want to play and how you want to play it. Simplicity’s open character design lets you mix and match traditional character types to come up with a blend that suits you.

3. It’s all about the story. Mechanics can often overshadow the story in a roleplaying game. I intentionally reduced the mechanical aspects of Simplicity to help foster creativity and roleplaying. It is my hope this change will shift a player’s thinking from What is on my character sheet that can help the party? to What can I do in the narrative that can help the party?

4. It’s GM friendly. Have you always wanted to try your hand at refereeing an RPG but it just seemed like too daunting of a task because of all the rules? Have you struggled to tell the story you wanted, because the rules kept getting in the way? The Simplicity Core Rulebook gives you the absolute bare bones you need to create your game world. As a GM, you are expected (and encouraged) to create anything else you want to add. This approach has the added benefit of really letting you put your own stamp on the game you run and pretty much ensures that no two Simplicity campaigns are identical.

5. It’s free. Even if the reasons above were not enough, this one should help persuade you to try Simplicity. That’s right, it’s free. You can download the rules, print them out, and try the game without forking over any of your hard-earned cash. If you like them and want to pay, please feel free to do so, but do not feel obligated. If you decide you like the game and want to buy a printed copy, please do. All the proceeds from printed copies of the Simplicity Core Rulebook go directly to Child’s Play, a charity that helps provide toys, games, and books for sick kids in children’s hospitals across North America.

To be fair, there is probably an equally long list of reasons not to play Simplicity, but presenting them here wouldn’t serve the purpose of swaying you to try the game. Nonetheless, I feel compelled to at least warn you of one thing: If you like complex games with lengthy rulebooks that attempt to present a rule for every conceivable situation that might occur during the course of a normal roleplaying game, the Simplicity Fantasy Roleplaying Game is not for you.

Please do not misunderstand me. I’m not faulting this type of roleplaying. After all, the most important part of any roleplaying game is having fun, and there are many people who enjoy reading lengthy spell descriptions and wading through piles of thick rulebooks. There is nothing wrong with that. Just know upfront that Simplicity is not that kind of a game.