Why I’m not getting the Dresden Files RPG, and it is the dumbest reason ever

I so want the Dresden Files RPG.

But I’m not going to get it.

There are so many good reasons to get this RPG:

1. It is FATE, which is one of the most awesome and customizable gaming system out there.

2. The talent. Just to name a few: Fred Hicks, Rob Donoghue, Kenneth Hite, Genevieve Cogman, Melissa Gay, Jennifer Rodgers, and Talon Dunning? All this writing and art talent working together? Nerdgasm.

3. Evil-Hattery abounds. Evil Hat Productions is undoubtedly made up of some of the nicest and most approachable people in the biz.

4. I like games that focus on story and character. All signs and reports say that this game does just that.

5. It is an urban fantasy setting that looks like it will put the World of Darkness to shame.

Now here is the bad reason why I’m not going to pick this game up, as much as I would love to:

That goddamned TV show.

I have never, ever read a Dresden Files book. Until early last year, I had never even heard of the Dresden Files at all.

Then I stumbled upon some people talking about “this interesting Sci Fi Channel series from 2007“, so I thought, “Hey, Brian, this sounds like something you’d like! Magic, Vampires and Urban Fantasy?“

Oh… oh man was I wrong. Two episodes in, and I don’t think I have ever watched a dumber show than that. Well, maybe Heroes following Season 1. I actually felt myself losing intelligence points over those 90 minutes.

That was all it took. People have said that the series did get better. People have said that the series was nothing at all like the books. But I am simply too terrified to find out. The last thing I want to do is waste my time reading a book I might hate, or spending time watching further episodes in the hope that they get better.

Yes – Dresden Files obviously has a lot of fans. But so do Harry Potter and Twilight, and I wouldn’t pee on a stack of those books if they were on fire.

So that TV series is the dumb reason why I’m not getting the RPG. It’s an awful excuse, but at least it is mine. First impressions really do make a difference.

Lionsgate Television owes Evil Hat Productions at least my share of what I would have normally gladly paid for this game.

Fred, Rob… I’m sorry.