The RPG a Day Blog 2016 Day 19

August 19: What is the best way to learn a new game?

Short answer. By playing it. I'm sure that this will be a popular response, so I'll elaborate a bit.

* The GM needs some familiarity with the rules and his players:The GM should at least read through the quick start rules if any, and have a decent grasp of the setting and the system. He should make sure that it is something that his players will be interested in and that the system is easy/intuitive enough that most of the table can follow it. For instance, I would love to play Mouse Guard or The Burning Wheel, but I go cross-eyed trying to read the rules. I see no way that I could easily summarize them into something playable. I could lend out the rules or find a PDF to share, but I know the guys, and they don't have the time--and probably not the desire--to read up on such complex systems.

*Watch a Game Demo: It used to be that you needed to find a test play at the local game shop or at a convention, but now YouTube has  many test plays available to watch. You won't find EVERY system being played, but most have at least one vid that someone has posted. If you use Roll 20 you can ask to sit in on a group even if there are no player spots available. Seeing the game in action will give you ideas on what to do at your table and further help you decide if it's going to be a game that is worthwhile for your particular group.

*Visit the Game Website:  This is gold. The company website usually has links to FAQs, Printable character sheets, premade characters and even light rules for the game. This was impossible in the pre-internet days and remained almost unheard of until fairly recently. We do have it today and we should all take advantage of it.

*Do the best you can:  The rulesets for these games can get very complex. Like with everything else just make sure it stays fun. The game police aren't going to come around and make sure you are playing the RIGHT way. If you or your rules lawyer finds that there is an official way of doing things you can adjust accordingly if that's what you want to do or keep playing it as you like. The old folks know that once you buy these games you can use them any way you like. Just make it fun for the table.