I started playing D&D back when there were no versions. I played most extensively running an AD&D campaign that ran, wow! eight years? And there were others after that. One of my players introduced me to MERP and Rolemaster and I fell in love with those systems, including all their offshoots like Spacemaster. Then I ran a crossover World of Darkness game for a number of years. But as we grew up, we scattered to the winds, living new lives. But some of us still keep in touch.
When a friend that had moved away said he wanted to game using VTT, I said, sure, I'll try it out. what kind? And he said RPGs. So I did a lot of brushing up. I'd forgotten how much work it is coming up with stories and adventures. I've gotten together some of my friends, including one from back in the day. Some of my players are near and some are far. And we're roleplaying again just for the joy of it.
My systems of preference are Rolemaster/Spacemaster 2nd edition, Storyteller system (WoD) and I really like D&D 5e. Given a setting, sometimes I like games that flow and are not so hard and fast on rules, because it's the story that matters. Other times, I like really detailed rules systems, because we're going to play in a rich world where the stakes are high and combat is dangerous and not something to be taken lightly. Such systems can be great arbiters of chance and help create that sense of danger, putting character lives on the line, but giving them such a rich reward when they succeed. But whatever I'm playing, I like the sense of wonder, exploration, and living a story together.
My style is a mix of preparation and improvisation, with outlines of possibilities and names, places, and events, but not always so fleshed out. It's a necessity given a limited amount of time to devote to games. I'm very rules focused as I feel that rules help create the framework that allows us to suspend belief and pretend we're living these grand other lives (well we are). I like giving the players the maximum amount of freedom to go any direction they want, as if they were really in a new world with endless possibilities. I learned long ago that if you want to do that, over preparation in any one area can be work that never gets visited. So I let the players let me know their direction. Once I know the direction they're going, I then I can start making more detailed plans, but I used to be a good hand and making things up on the fly. Some of that is coming back. But sometimes it means taking a break to say, hey, I haven't built this out yet. Let's meet next time (because I want them to have a quality experience and sometimes that takes time to build out). Sometimes we game a bit via Discord using text moves to fill in the time and give them a chance to explore while I'm getting ready for the next session.
My intent though is to explore this time around. I want to try so many games settings, old and new, and I hope that I get the chance to with good friends who just love to get together for the fun of it.
Outside of games, my hobbies are: writing, backyard astronomy, and reading books about history.