I ask because if you read through, early critiques of the game and current threads, here, the multi-class one here and hit-points one here you would think that RuneQuest/BRP solves all the problems! Yet despite doing well early on (as affirmed by Greg Stafford) RuneQuest isn't holding a GenCon and never had an 80s cartoon etc. So I ask why not?

For me I can think that the D&D settings such as Greyhawk, Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms and Ravenloft may have been bigger pulls than the perhaps niche Glorantha, but that doesn't explain all.

Because all these so-called "problems" are not as much of an issue as some would like to believe, and because D&D has strengths, regarding play structures, with the dungeon, the wilderness, the way you create your adventure in concrete terms using your imagination on a piece of graph paper, the explorative nature of the game, the concrete rewards like gold and experience and levels, that many tried to copy or worse, to fix, but none truly ever matched.

Quote from: Benoist;680966Because all these so-called "problems" are not as much of an issue as some would like to believe, and because D&D has strengths, regarding play structures, with the dungeon, the wilderness, the way you create your adventure in concrete terms using your imagination on a piece of graph paper, the explorative nature of the game, the concrete rewards like gold and experience and levels, that many tried to copy or worse, to fix, but none truly ever matched.

Yup.

The stuff that makes RQ 'better' is stuff that most gamers didn't or don't care about.

Quote from: J Arcane;680967The stuff that makes RQ 'better' is stuff that most gamers didn't or don't care about.

Well, I beg to differ. I care. Special snowflake me:D

I like both D&D and RQ a lot.  I actually think that RQ is the superior game overall (especially after it ceased being based on Glorantha), but it is no mystery to me that D&D is more popular.

1. The class+level structure of D&D is very straightforward (at least in TSR-era D&D).  It is easy for new players to grok.  It provides a helpful guide to DMs when designing adventures.

2. Levels provide a form of 'reward' that is hard to match in RQ/BRP games (with its small % increases to skills, no increases in hit points, etc.).

3. D&D is a mish-mash of fantasy ideas that are widely familiar (Tolkien-esque races, Moorcock-ish multiverse and alignment, vaguely Medieval setting assumptions, etc.), whereas RQ's original setting was Glorantha, which is a rather unusual world to say the least, and not to all tastes.  It's easier for players to grasp the implied setting of D&D.

4. It's a lot easier for starting DMs to design basic D&D adventures (dungeons that conform to the kill+loot model) than it is for GMs to design RQ adventures.

5. The importance of being first cannot be overstated.

Quote from: elfandghostHow did RuneQuest never overtake D&D?

Yup, thats the same question I always asked myself.

As did this guy.

Quote from: silva;680972As did this guy.

Almost posted that video myself, except I was going to make fun of him for it.  MUH CHARACTER DIES TOO EASY, WOT IS THIS RUBBISH

Accessibility.  For myself and I'm guessing a lot of other kids in the late 70's and early 80's, my parents bought the basic set for me for Christmas.  I'm sure the only way they even knew about the game was when they saw it in the mall toy store.  After I got it, my small town game store mainly carried DnD.  I cannot recall even seeing RQ back then. Wish I had; I certainly would have picked it up.

Older D&D is a better game than Runequest. Always has been, always will be. And I like RQ, but older D&D is just plain better.

Quote from: Benoist;680966Because all these so-called "problems" are not as much of an issue as some would like to believe, and because D&D has strengths, regarding play structures, with the dungeon, the wilderness, the way you create your adventure in concrete terms using your imagination on a piece of graph paper, the explorative nature of the game, the concrete rewards like gold and experience and levels, that many tried to copy or worse, to fix, but none truly ever matched.

Agreed.  I am also sure that there were benefits to some of the easy to learn options for D&D (i.e. B/X was a very well written version of the game and rather ideal for folks who are learning the game).  Runequest was more complex, and I think complexity is it's own barrier.  

That said, once easy to learn version of D&D popped up, you also have some amazing network effects.  I've moved a lot as an adult.  The only game system that I have never had trouble with finding a group to play with is D&D.  I have done it on opposite ends of the United States and abroad.  

Everything else has been tricky . . .  Not impossible, but tricky.  And much harder once I left college, where RPG clubs felt almost like cheating for finding niche games.

For one, Runequest is not very good. Overrated piece of crap. Like an artsy version of Arduin, only minus the charm.

For another, most of the "problems" of D&D are still found in the vast majority of computer RPGs.

Okay, they dumped the Vancian spellcasting system, but how many RPGs don't feature levels, hit points, classes? And many of those things have spread to other games. Most of those "problems" are strengths of D&D.

It's actually kind of hilarious, the recent Shadowrun Returns game dumps the traditional SR health system in favor of hit points. And they also have something of a level system for ranking difficulty.

Quote from: JeremyR;680994For one, Runequest is not very good. Overrated piece of crap. Like an artsy version of Arduin, only minus the charm.

I take it you don't like RuneQuest then.

Quote from: JeremyR;680994For another, most of the "problems" of D&D are still found in the vast majority of computer RPGs.

Okay, they dumped the Vancian spellcasting system, but how many RPGs don't feature levels, hit points, classes? And many of those things have spread to other games. Most of those "problems" are strengths of D&D.

It's actually kind of hilarious, the recent Shadowrun Returns game dumps the traditional SR health system in favor of hit points. And they also have something of a level system for ranking difficulty.

That is hardly endorsement - it being adopted by computer RPGs. But I do see your point. D&D offers reward.

Quote from: elfandghost;681001That is hardly endorsement - it being adopted by computer RPGs. But I do see your point. D&D offers reward.

D&D, the Pavlov's game.

Quote from: JeremyR;680994For one, Runequest is not very good. Overrated piece of crap. Like an artsy version of Arduin, only minus the charm.

I can't think of two RPGs more dissimilar than RQ and Arduin.  To even draw the comparison is hilariously ignorant!

D&D is aimed more for the general public.