Quick to Learn (#RPGaDay2024.16)
When it comes to tabletop roleplaying, one phrase that gets tossed around a lot is “quick to learn.” It sounds great on the surface—after all, who doesn’t want to dive right into a game without spending hours studying rules? But here’s the thing: whether or not a game is quick to learn shouldn’t be the deciding factor in whether it’s worth your time. If you’re passionate about a game, you’ll figure it out, no matter how complex it might be.
Let me tell you a story. Back in high school, I had a roleplaying buddy who had a learning disability. Reading was a challenge for him, something that would slow down anyone else. But this friend? He memorized the Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual like they were the lyrics to his favorite song. He wasn’t just skimming the surface—he dug deep into those books, absorbing every rule, every detail, every bit of lore. The guy could recite spell descriptions from memory and knew exactly how to build the most optimized character for any situation. For him, it wasn’t about how quick or easy the game was to learn; it was about the passion he had for the game.
Passion Trumps Simplicity
The point is, if you care about something, you’ll find a way to learn it. It might take a little longer, and you might hit some bumps along the way, but that’s okay. The process of learning a complex system can be part of the fun, especially when it’s tied to something you love. It’s like learning an instrument or mastering a new skill—the challenge is part of what makes it rewarding.
A game that’s quick to learn might be appealing in the short term, but what happens when the honeymoon phase is over? A system that’s too simple might not offer the depth or complexity you crave. It might not have the kind of setting that sparks your imagination or the character options that make you want to roll up a dozen different PCs just to see what they can do. Quick to learn? Sure, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to hold your interest in the long run.
Balancing Accessibility and Depth
Now, don’t get me wrong—there’s value in making games accessible. Not everyone has the time or inclination to wade through a 300-page rulebook before they can start playing. But here’s where the real challenge lies: creating a game that’s both accessible and deep. A game that’s quick to learn but offers enough nuance, subtlety, and variation to keep players engaged as they peel back the layers over time.
This is something we strive for in our games. We want them to be easy to pick up, sure—but we also want them to have staying power. We want players to discover new strategies, uncover hidden details, and develop a deeper understanding of the mechanics the more they play. The goal isn’t just to get people playing quickly, but to keep them playing for years to come.
The Joy of Discovery
One of the best things about roleplaying games is the joy of discovery—the moment when you finally figure out how a particular mechanic works, or when you uncover a piece of lore that changes how you see the entire setting. If a game is too quick to learn, you might miss out on those moments of revelation. Sometimes, it’s the complexity of a system that makes those discoveries possible. It’s the depth that allows for creative solutions, unique character builds, and stories that evolve in unexpected ways.
So, don’t worry too much about whether a game is quick to learn. Instead, focus on whether it’s something that excites you, something that makes you want to dive in and explore every nook and cranny. If it is, you’ll find a way to learn it, and the time you spend mastering the game will be time well spent.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, “quick to learn” is just one factor to consider when choosing a roleplaying game—and not necessarily the most important one. What really matters is whether the game resonates with you, whether it offers the kind of experience you’re looking for. If you’re passionate about it, you’ll figure out the rules, no matter how complex they might be. And in the process, you’ll find that the journey of learning can be just as rewarding as the game itself.
