Have you ever played a Free RPG?

[Rob Lang]

[Majyc]

[Chainsaw Aardvark]

[Maeglin Dubh]

[Dyson Logos]

Have you ever played a free rpg?
Yes

What game was it?
AssassinX was the first one we played, but have also played vs Monsters and Risus

Who wrote it?
AssassinX is written by M Jason Parent.
vs Monsters is written by Phil Reed

Where did you find it?
Both on RPGnow
I also got a print copy of AssassinX from Mr Parent at GenCon a few years back.

How did it go?
We pull out AssassinX about once every other month and play a few games. My players love it, and I enjoy bringing the random missions to life.

How did you convince your players to play?
"Let's kill things!"

What problems were there?
Problems?

Were there any good things about it being Free?
Everyone in the group has a copy of the rulebook. Just like running Labyrinth Lord, I *know* my players will have the rules.

Did you print it?
No, but I have a print copy that I paid $5 for.

If not, how did you get at the rules?
I game with a laptop at the table.

Did it make the players want to play more Free stuff?
It didn't change their opinions one way or the other. We play the games that interest us, free or not.

[Carbonfusion]

Have you ever played a free rpg?
Yes

What game was it?
Icar was the first RPG I ever ran as GM, I've played JAGS a lot too.

Who wrote it?
Icar, Rob Lang
JAGS, Marco Chacon

Where did you find it?
I found both a few years ago on google.

How did it go?
Icar had some economic balance issues (My fault), but it went well.
I just finished a well loved JAGS c13 game (Or it might not be finished, we'll see).

How did you convince your players to play?
Icar: "Lets play one of these RPG things and not get shot at paintball again."
Jags: "How'd you like to be some kind of elf thing?"

What problems were there?
Getting people to show up on time Icar was a little tricky for a first RPG attempt, I'm not a fantasy person so Jags was tough at times (especially as my players didn't want to play have-nots).

Were there any good things about it being Free?
I didn't need to spend $90 before I could decide if I wanted to play that game or not. You also get the impression people put a lot of effort and love into the game that I don't feel looking at AD&D.

Did you print it?
No, I use a laptop.

If not, how did you get at the rules?
I game with a laptop at the table

Did it make the players want to play more Free stuff?
If the other games and scenario's are good yes. Some of my players now talk about buying material for games! I like the free rulebook/paid addon idea that i've seen with some games on Drivethrurpg.com

[Dyson Logos]

I've cross-posted this poll to the main RPG community I hang out at - ENWorld

[oldgamergeek]

yes , three to be honest swords& wizardry , labyrinth lord , and mutant future . found the links on OD&D discussion board .
we had no problems accessed the rules from a lap top . now we look for free games especially retro clones , long live the old school revolution .

[JasonDarrah]

Have you ever played a free rpg?
Yes. Yes I have.

What game was it?
Heavy Ordnance

Who wrote it?
Christopher Blankley

Where did you find it?

But the site has been down for some time and the Wayback Machine doesn't seem to have it cached.

How did it go?
Went alright. Everyone had fun until it got too silly and the game deteriorated too much.

How did you convince your players to play?
Stressed that it was free, and that they could use their buckets o' d10s with it. Gave an overview of the over-the-top zombie holocaust setting. That seemed to work.

What problems were there?
I think the players didn't take it very seriously because it wasn't a commercial product.

Were there any good things about it being Free?
My players were willing to play it because they didn't have to buy anything and we were a bunch of broke high school students.

Did you print it?
Some of it. Character sheets and a few reference pages. Can't remember exactly what, though.

If not, how did you get at the rules?
My gaming table was near my computer so we could reference whatever we needed.

Did it make the players want to play more Free stuff?[/quote]
For a while. I ran FUDGE and a couple of other games that I can't even remember the names of now. Then d20 happened and most of the gamers that I know have just recently started coming around to non-d20 games.