If I bought an RPG, I want to play characters. If I wanted to manage inventory, I’d buy a store sim. Give me what I paid for or fuck off and lose my business.
… That said, of course RPGs that are very roleplay heavy can benefit from a touch more of realism. It just comes down to what the point is and how it fits in with the other aspects of the game. Realism, keeping the player from just cheezing everything with items, pushing players away from treating it like a lootfest? All good things, usually.
Though if the limited inventory clashes with other design decisions, like having a robust crafting system with lots of parts that will clog the limited inventory and require constant management if you want to engage? Then you’re just an asshole uncreative game designer.
If I bought an RPG, I want to play characters. If I wanted to manage inventory, I’d buy a store sim. Give me what I paid for or fuck off and lose my business.
… That said, of course RPGs that are very roleplay heavy can benefit from a touch more of realism. It just comes down to what the point is and how it fits in with the other aspects of the game. Realism, keeping the player from just cheezing everything with items, pushing players away from treating it like a lootfest? All good things, usually.
Though if the limited inventory clashes with other design decisions, like having a robust crafting system with lots of parts that will clog the limited inventory and require constant management if you want to engage? Then you’re just an asshole uncreative game designer.