A recent discussion in the Indie forums and blogs is around the assumption that "a game that lacks a core story invariably acquires D&D's core story." The talented and thought provoking Bankuei defines the core D&D story along the following lines:
- All these games assume a party of characters
- Philosophical/Political Splats (draw the lines and watch people take sides)
- Character removal from play is featured heavily (almost always by violent means)
- The party is supposed to stick together, despite irreconcilable differences
- Character change is hard, rare, or unsupported by the system- therefore, you have characters who disagree, can't change their views, and can't leave each other's presence, who solve problems primarily by violence...
- Reward is by character improvement alone- so players are reluctant to give up their characters for new or different ones
