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🎲 Games by System - Mechanical Families

Explore TTRPG history through mechanical evolution and system families

Purpose

This index organizes games by their core mechanical systems, allowing you to trace the evolution of game mechanics and explore how different games implement similar resolution systems.

Navigation

  • [[TTRPG-History-Dashboard]] - Main visual dashboard
  • [[START-HERE]] - Quick start guide
  • [[MASTER-INDEX]] - Complete A-Z reference
  • [[Games-by-Year]] - Chronological index
  • [[Games-by-Designer]] - Creator index

Major System Families

All Games by System

TABLE
  system AS "System Family",
  COUNT(file.link) AS "# Games",
  LIST(file.link, 10) AS "Games Using This System"
FROM "Games"
WHERE system != null AND system != ""
GROUP BY system
SORT COUNT(file.link) DESC

The d20 Family

Core d20 System Games

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  publisher AS "Publisher",
  complexity AS "Complexity"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(system), "d20") OR contains(string(system), "D20")
SORT year-published ASC

Family Origin: [[D&D 3rd Edition]] (2000) by [[Monte Cook]], [[Jonathan Tweet]], [[Skip Williams]]

Defining Characteristics:

  • d20 + modifiers vs target number
  • Six ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma)
  • Class and level progression
  • Armor Class defense rating
  • Open Gaming License enabled proliferation

Major Descendants:

  • [[Pathfinder]] - Enhanced 3.5E evolution
  • [[Mutants & Masterminds]] - Superhero adaptation
  • [[Star Wars d20]] - Space opera implementation
  • Dozens of OGL derivatives

Basic D&D / OSR Lineage

B/X and OSR Games

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  retro-clone-of AS "Clones",
  complexity AS "Complexity"
FROM "Games" OR FROM "Retroclones"
WHERE contains(string(system), "B/X") OR contains(string(system), "OSR") OR contains(string(system), "Basic D&D") OR type = "retroclone"
SORT year-published ASC

Family Origin: [[Basic D&D]] (1977-1983) by various TSR designers

Defining Characteristics:

  • Class-based with race-as-class or separate races
  • d20 attack rolls vs Armor Class or THAC0
  • Six ability scores with modifiers
  • Descending or ascending AC
  • Simple, lethal combat
  • Gold = XP philosophy

Major Descendants:

  • [[Labyrinth Lord]] - B/X clone
  • [[Swords & Wizardry]] - OD&D clone
  • [[Lamentations of the Flame Princess]] - Weird horror B/X
  • [[Old-School Essentials]] - Modernized B/X
  • [[Dungeon Crawl Classics]] - Gonzo OSR evolution

Storyteller / Storytelling System

White Wolf and Chronicles of Darkness

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  publisher AS "Publisher",
  genre AS "Genre"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(system), "Storyteller") OR contains(string(system), "Storytelling")
SORT year-published ASC

Family Origin: [[Vampire: The Masquerade]] (1991) by [[Mark Rein-Hagen]]

Defining Characteristics:

  • d10 dice pools (attribute + skill)
  • Success counting (target number 6-8)
  • Botch on multiple 1s
  • Dots rating system (1-5)
  • Character-driven narrative focus
  • Gothic-punk aesthetic

Major Descendants:

  • [[Werewolf: The Apocalypse]]
  • [[Mage: The Ascension]]
  • [[Changeling: The Dreaming]]
  • [[Exalted]] (evolved mechanics)
  • Chronicles of Darkness line

Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA)

The Apocalypse Engine Games

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  publisher AS "Publisher",
  genre AS "Genre"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(system), "PbtA") OR contains(string(influenced-by), "Apocalypse World")
SORT year-published ASC

Family Origin: [[Apocalypse World]] (2010) by [[Vincent Baker]]

Defining Characteristics:

  • 2d6 + modifier vs 7/10
  • Playbooks (character archetypes)
  • Moves (fictional triggers → mechanics)
  • MC Principles and Agenda
  • Fail forward philosophy
  • Conversation-based play

Major Descendants:

  • [[Dungeon World]] - D&D meets PbtA
  • [[Monsterhearts]] - Teen supernatural drama
  • [[Monster of the Week]] - X-Files style investigation
  • [[The Sprawl]] - Cyberpunk heists
  • [[Urban Shadows]] - Political urban fantasy
  • 100+ published hacks

Forged in the Dark (FitD)

Blades in the Dark Engine

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  publisher AS "Publisher",
  setting AS "Setting"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(system), "FitD") OR contains(string(influenced-by), "Blades in the Dark")
SORT year-published ASC

Family Origin: [[Blades in the Dark]] (2017) by [[John Harper]]

Defining Characteristics:

  • d6 dice pools, take highest
  • Position (controlled/risky/desperate) and Effect
  • Flashbacks and planning abstraction
  • Crew mechanics and shared resources
  • Stress and trauma
  • Devil's bargains
  • Clock-based progress

Major Descendants:

  • [[Scum and Villainy]] - Space opera
  • [[Band of Blades]] - Military dark fantasy
  • [[Beam Saber]] - Mecha warfare
  • [[A Fistful of Darkness]] - Weird West

FATE System

FATE Core and Derivatives

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  publisher AS "Publisher",
  genre AS "Genre"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(system), "FATE") OR contains(string(system), "Fate")
SORT year-published ASC

Family Origin: [[FATE]] (2003) by [[Fred Hicks]] and [[Rob Donoghue]], evolved from FUDGE

Defining Characteristics:

  • Fudge dice (4dF: -1, 0, +1)
  • Aspects (descriptive tags with mechanical weight)
  • Fate Points economy
  • Create Advantage, Overcome, Attack, Defend actions
  • Bronze Rule: Everything is a character
  • Fractal structure

Major Descendants:

  • [[FATE Core]] (2013)
  • [[FATE Accelerated]]
  • [[Dresden Files RPG]]
  • Countless custom implementations

Percentile / d100 Systems

Roll Under Skill Percentile

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  publisher AS "Publisher",
  genre AS "Genre"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(system), "d100") OR contains(string(system), "percentile") OR contains(string(system), "BRP")
SORT year-published ASC

Family Origins:

  • [[RuneQuest]] (1978) - Skill-based percentiles
  • [[Call of Cthulhu]] (1981) - Sanity and investigation

Defining Characteristics:

  • Roll d100 under skill rating
  • Skills start at base % plus modifiers
  • Granular probability
  • Critical success on 01-05, critical fail on 96-00
  • Deadly combat
  • Reality-based skill progression

Major Descendants:

  • Basic Roleplaying (BRP) family
  • [[Stormbringer]]
  • [[Pendragon]] (d20 variant)
  • [[Unknown Armies]]
  • [[Delta Green]]
  • [[Mothership]] (OSR-influenced d100)

GUMSHOE System

Investigative Games

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  publisher AS "Publisher",
  genre AS "Genre"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(system), "GUMSHOE")
SORT year-published ASC

Family Origin: [[Trail of Cthulhu]] (2008) by [[Robin D. Laws]]

Defining Characteristics:

  • Investigative abilities (spend for clues)
  • General abilities (roll d6 for challenges)
  • Clues always found if ability present
  • Resource management focus
  • Pacing through information
  • Spend for benefits

Major Descendants:

  • [[Night's Black Agents]]
  • [[Ashen Stars]]
  • [[Esoterrorists]]
  • [[Mutant City Blues]]
  • [[TimeWatch]]

Cypher System

Monte Cook's Universal Engine

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  publisher AS "Publisher",
  setting AS "Setting"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(system), "Cypher")
SORT year-published ASC

Family Origin: [[Numenera]] (2013) by [[Monte Cook]]

Defining Characteristics:

  • Roll d20, modified by difficulty (target numbers in multiples of 3)
  • GM never rolls
  • Stat pools (Might, Speed, Intellect)
  • Spend pool points to enhance actions
  • Cyphers (one-use magical items/tech)
  • GM Intrusions for complications

Major Descendants:

  • [[The Strange]]
  • [[Cypher System Rulebook]] (generic)
  • Various licensed implementations

Year Zero Engine

Free League's Modular System

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  publisher AS "Publisher",
  setting AS "Setting"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(system), "Year Zero") OR publisher = "Free League"
SORT year-published ASC

Family Origin: [[Mutant: Year Zero]] (2014) by [[Tomas Härenstam]]

Defining Characteristics:

  • d6 dice pools (skill + attribute)
  • Success on 6s, push for rerolls
  • Stress/trauma mechanics
  • Modular subsystems
  • Metaplot integration
  • Initiative cards

Major Descendants:

  • [[Tales from the Loop]]
  • [[Forbidden Lands]]
  • [[Alien RPG]]
  • [[Blade Runner RPG]]
  • [[The One Ring]] (adapted)

GURPS (Generic Universal RolePlaying System)

Universal Simulation

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  publisher AS "Publisher",
  setting AS "Setting"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(system), "GURPS")
SORT year-published ASC

Family Origin: [[GURPS]] (1986) by [[Steve Jackson]]

Defining Characteristics:

  • 3d6 roll under skill/attribute
  • Point-buy character creation
  • Advantages, disadvantages, skills
  • Highly detailed simulation
  • Modular supplements
  • Bell curve probability

Savage Worlds

Fast, Furious, Fun

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  publisher AS "Publisher",
  genre AS "Genre"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(system), "Savage Worlds")
SORT year-published ASC

Family Origin: [[Savage Worlds]] (2003) by [[Shane Lacy Hensley]]

Defining Characteristics:

  • Polyhedral dice by skill level (d4 to d12)
  • Exploding dice (Aces)
  • Bennies (meta currency)
  • Fast combat with initiative cards
  • Wild Cards vs Extras
  • Genre-agnostic

Cortex System

Marvel Heroic & Variants

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  publisher AS "Publisher",
  genre AS "Genre"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(system), "Cortex")
SORT year-published ASC

Defining Characteristics:

  • Dice pool of different sizes (d4-d12)
  • Sum two dice, use highest as effect
  • Complications and assets
  • Highly flexible traits
  • Narrative-focused

Unique/Experimental Systems

Games with Novel Mechanics

GM-less and Diceless Games

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  game-structure AS "Structure",
  system AS "System"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(tags), "GM-less") OR contains(string(tags), "diceless") OR contains(string(game-structure), "GM-less")
SORT year-published ASC

Card-Based Games

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  resolution-mechanic AS "Mechanic"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(resolution-mechanic), "card") OR contains(string(tags), "card-based")
SORT year-published ASC

Jenga and Dread-likes

TABLE
  year-published AS "Year",
  file.link AS "Game",
  designer AS "Designer",
  resolution-mechanic AS "Mechanic"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(resolution-mechanic), "Jenga") OR contains(string(influenced-by), "Dread")
SORT year-published ASC

Mechanics Innovation Timeline

Groundbreaking Mechanical Innovations

1974 - Class & Level (D&D) 1978 - Percentile Skills ([[RuneQuest]]) 1983 - Troupe Play ([[Ars Magica]]) 1985 - Lifepath Generation ([[Traveller]]) 1987 - Universal Point-Buy ([[GURPS]]) 1991 - Dice Pools ([[Vampire: The Masquerade]]) 1993 - Diceless Resolution ([[Amber Diceless RPG]]) 1997 - Resource Pools ([[Dying Earth]]) 2001 - Aspects ([[FATE]]) 2005 - Jenga Tower Tension ([[Dread]]) 2008 - Auto-Success Clues ([[Trail of Cthulhu]]) 2010 - Playbooks & Moves ([[Apocalypse World]]) 2013 - GM Never Rolls ([[Numenera]]) 2017 - Position & Effect ([[Blades in the Dark]])

By Complexity

Simple Systems (Complexity 1-2)

TABLE
  complexity AS "Level",
  file.link AS "Game",
  system AS "System",
  year-published AS "Year"
FROM "Games"
WHERE complexity <= 2 AND complexity != null
SORT complexity ASC, year-published ASC

Intermediate Systems (Complexity 3)

TABLE
  complexity AS "Level",
  file.link AS "Game",
  system AS "System",
  year-published AS "Year"
FROM "Games"
WHERE complexity = 3
SORT year-published ASC

Complex Systems (Complexity 4-5)

TABLE
  complexity AS "Level",
  file.link AS "Game",
  system AS "System",
  year-published AS "Year"
FROM "Games"
WHERE complexity >= 4 AND complexity != null
SORT complexity DESC, year-published ASC

System Family Trees

Generate Visual Family Trees

Run analytics to create system evolution diagrams:

python3 Scripts/analytics/system_family_tree.py

Output: Attachments/Diagrams/analytics/system_family_tree.png

System Philosophy Comparison

Simulationist Systems

Focus on modeling reality and detailed mechanics

TABLE
  file.link AS "Game",
  system AS "System",
  complexity AS "Complexity",
  year-published AS "Year"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(tags), "simulation") OR complexity >= 4
SORT complexity DESC, year-published ASC
LIMIT 15

Narrativist Systems

Focus on story and dramatic tension

TABLE
  file.link AS "Game",
  system AS "System",
  complexity AS "Complexity",
  year-published AS "Year"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(tags), "narrative") OR contains(string(tags), "story-game")
SORT year-published ASC
LIMIT 20

Gamist Systems

Focus on tactical challenge and player skill

TABLE
  file.link AS "Game",
  system AS "System",
  complexity AS "Complexity",
  year-published AS "Year"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(tags), "tactical") OR contains(string(tags), "combat-focused")
SORT year-published ASC

Cross-Genre Systems

Universal/Generic Systems

TABLE
  file.link AS "Game",
  system AS "System",
  year-published AS "Year",
  designer AS "Designer"
FROM "Games"
WHERE contains(string(genre), "universal") OR contains(string(tags), "generic")
SORT year-published ASC

Major Universal Systems:

  • [[GURPS]] - Ultimate simulation
  • [[Savage Worlds]] - Fast pulp action
  • [[FATE]] - Aspect-driven narrative
  • [[Cypher System]] - GM-less rolling
  • [[Genesys]] - Narrative dice
  • [[BRP]] - Percentile skills

Random System Discovery

Discover a Random System Family

TABLE
  system AS "System Family",
  COUNT(file.link) AS "# Games",
  LIST(file.link, 5) AS "Example Games"
FROM "Games"
WHERE system != null AND system != ""
GROUP BY system
SORT random()
LIMIT 1

Search Tips

Find games by system: Use the family sections above or search this page

Compare mechanics: Read [[Mechanics]] entries for detailed breakdowns

Track evolution: Use [[Games-by-Year]] to see mechanical innovation over time

Explore philosophies: Follow wikilinks to designer philosophies

Related Resources

Deep Dive Mechanics

  • [[Mechanics]] - Browse 23+ detailed mechanic entries
  • [[Resolution-Systems]] - Core task resolution comparison
  • [[Character-Advancement]] - Progression mechanics
  • [[Action-Economy]] - Turn structure and initiative

Alternative Views

  • [[Games-by-Year]] - Chronological timeline
  • [[Games-by-Designer]] - Creator catalog
  • [[Games-by-Publisher]] - Company catalog
  • [[MASTER-INDEX]] - Complete A-Z reference

Analytics

  • System Family Trees - Visual evolution diagrams
  • Complexity vs Popularity - Correlation analysis
  • Innovation Timeline - Mechanical breakthroughs

🎲 The mechanical DNA of 50 years of tabletop roleplaying 🎲

Explore how core systems evolved, branched, and cross-pollinated to create the diverse ecosystem of modern TTRPGs.

Last updated: October 2025 Version: 4.0 Vault Status: Production-Ready