Rant about Systems in stories!

[blakan99]

At first when I encountered system stories I thought oh wow that's cute but did not think that much of it, even now if I search really hard I can find enjoyable stories with that format. But its getting increasingly difficult and my god is it popping up everywhere and it is not slowing down.

Reincarnated as a noble/cultivator/someone with an ancient bloodline, all these tropes now days half of these stories will add a system because apparently being reincarnated is not advantageous enough.

Same with fanfics or transported into a anime/novel the mc read, maybe I have bad taste for enjoying the premise and for enjoying all of these seemingly "trash" pieces of fiction but I do. At least I do until the dreaded system gets introduced, almost every time that goddamn system gets introduced.

Like being reincarnated as lets Naruto at the start of the story, if the mc still needs a system after being reincarnated as the reincarnation of asura! Then he deserves to be kissed by Sasuke and punched by Sakura until the story ends.

It's too much! I don't think the authors realize how goddamn OP these systems are. Almost all systems give the mc powers or abilities right out the gate that no other character in the story should be able to match.

It just keeps going: Celestial physique, Awakened: Eyes of the shadow god, awakened: Ancient bloodline 100% activated: Bonded harem: 125: Absorbing the power of harem bonded, 70% completed: Control over all elements, yes.

Complete quest: flush toilet after you take a shit. Reward: World fragment and gain control of chaos mana.

Complete quest: wash hands after you piss. Reward: 20 inch dong.

Like damn he already was unrivaled after the first gift why does it keep going? and in what world did our dear mc awaken these powers? Haikyiu!... wow how needed, the MC would have never survived without a system in that dangerous world.

And another thing, it just turns the whole story into word filler, 80% system updates 20% story and with some of these system stories that´s being generous.

 

[JayMark]

Authors ultimately write what readers want, with a few exceptions who invest in their passion projects. Time and time again it's proven that's what the readers want write now. Write something without a system, isekai, reincarnation, cultivation theme, and without a self-insert power fantasy character and see how fast the crickets flock to your page.

That said, any premise is just a premise, everything is in the execution. It's just that really a popular premise will get reads, and thus authors will write to that demand, even if it is written poorly.

 

[LilRora]

A system is a good tool, but it's just a tool. If the author is bad, their system won't be better than the rest of the story.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Yes, systems are trash and the epitome of bad and lazy writing. You are correct.

 

[KingofPizza]

My view is that systems are pretty much window dressing. Like magic in regular ol' fantasy, you put it in there because that's what the audience expects.

A based and skilled writer will go a step further and make their system a key part of the plot. For instance, in Final Fantasy VII, materia is the normal means to use skills and cast spells, but two very special materia serve as important plot devices. Or in Final Fantasy IX, the Trance power appears to just be a throw-in mechanic, but actually plays a major role at the end of the story.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

One of my System stories has an explanation, the other ... well, it IS just a trapping with a history but just a trapping (that one is on HoneyFeed; the other has not been posted anywhere yet. Keep debating whether to use it on my Patreon page or try to do a paid thing on Substack or what - but need to get about five more chapters done before I decide)

 

[Kenjona]

At first when I encountered system stories I thought oh wow that's cute but did not think that much of it, even now if I search really hard I can find enjoyable stories with that format. But its getting increasingly difficult and my god is it popping up everywhere and it is not slowing down.

Reincarnated as a noble/cultivator/someone with an ancient bloodline, all these tropes now days half of these stories will add a system because apparently being reincarnated is not advantageous enough.

Same with fanfics or transported into a anime/novel the mc read, maybe I have bad taste for enjoying the premise and for enjoying all of these seemingly "trash" pieces of fiction but I do. At least I do until the dreaded system gets introduced, almost every time that goddamn system gets introduced.

Like being reincarnated as lets Naruto at the start of the story, if the mc still needs a system after being reincarnated as the reincarnation of asura! Then he deserves to be kissed by Sasuke and punched by Sakura until the story ends.

It's too much! I don't think the authors realize how goddamn OP these systems are. Almost all systems give the mc powers or abilities right out the gate that no other character in the story should be able to match.

It just keeps going: Celestial physique, Awakened: Eyes of the shadow god, awakened: Ancient bloodline 100% activated: Bonded harem: 125: Absorbing the power of harem bonded, 70% completed: Control over all elements, yes.

Complete quest: flush toilet after you take a shit. Reward: World fragment and gain control of chaos mana.

Complete quest: wash hands after you piss. Reward: 20 inch dong.

Like damn he already was unrivaled after the first gift why does it keep going? and in what world did our dear mc awaken these powers? Haikyiu!... wow how needed, the MC would have never survived without a system in that dangerous world.

And another thing, it just turns the whole story into word filler, 80% system updates 20% story and with some of these system stories that´s being generous.

You forgot the author tends to need to up the power levels constantly for the "system" to fix the issue with a new toy, er power.

 

[NotaNuffian]

@SailusGebel i am fat trash panda.

But it must have the proper sauce for my picky taste; violent murder.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

@SailusGebel i am fat trash panda.

But it must have the proper sauce for my picky taste; violent murder.

?

 

[blakan99]

Authors ultimately write what readers want, with a few exceptions who invest in their passion projects. Time and time again it's proven that's what the readers want write now. Write something without a system, isekai, reincarnation, cultivation theme, and without a self-insert power fantasy character and see how fast the crickets flock to your page.

That said, any premise is just a premise, everything is in the execution. It's just that really a popular premise will get reads, and thus authors will write to that demand, even if it is written poorly.

I just find it so short sighted, I believe in word of mouth yet for quick clicks a lot of stories have shot themselves in the foot by introducing the system.

I´ll use Snakes and Ladders (A Hollywood SI) as an example, loved the premise, a reincarnator trying to make it in Hollywood and the grammar was good but by chapter 3 the system had already killed the story for me. Because the MC had the system he decided not only to make movies but be the actor, director, cinematographer, writer, producer, sound designer, editor, production manager and casting director... wot is this?

Compare this to dreams of stardom, a story with the same premise but cut out the system and the story we get is miles better and more enjoyable to read. The thing about it is, Its not like the author for one story or the other is better, Snakes and Ladders had the same quality of writing and the MC in Dreams also started to branch out to different fields but the difference is he did so naturally and with trial and error.

IMO the only way a story with a system works is when everybody has access to one, like in Shadow Slave. Also I have read a couple of good ones where its a game world so every body has levels and player profiles.

 

[JayMark]

I just find it so short sighted, I believe in word of mouth yet for quick clicks a lot of stories have shot themselves in the foot by introducing the system.

I´ll use Snakes and Ladders (A Hollywood SI) as an example, loved the premise, a reincarnator trying to make it in Hollywood and the grammar was good but by chapter 3 the system had already killed the story for me. Because the MC had the system he decided not only to make movies but be the actor, director, cinematographer, writer, producer, sound designer, editor, production manager and casting director... wot is this?

Compare this to dreams of stardom, a story with the same premise but cut out the system and the story we get is miles better and more enjoyable to read. The thing about it is, Its not like the author for one story or the other is better, Snakes and Ladders had the same quality of writing and the MC in Dreams also started to branch out to different fields but the difference is he did so naturally and with trial and error.

IMO the only way a story with a system works is when everybody has access to one, like in Shadow Slave. Also I have read a couple of good ones where its a game world so every body has levels and player profiles.

Does seem pointless to me if only one person has access to a system, like wasted potential. I saw so few stories were a large cast of characters had a system and had to fight it out to be top dog, but the reason for that is readers don't want it. It's too complicated and too much effort to read.

Snakes and Ladders sounds like a profesional power fantasy, systems merge with that well, and people love power fantasies, especially self insert ones.

Most readers want the MC to be God Almighty by chapter 4, sometimes litterally. Do I hate it, usually yes. But that's what readers *primarily young males because the other demographic wants to marry Billionare Alpha werewolves* want. They want a character with all the personality of carboard that's OP as AF they can pilot like a mech suit in a story with a world that is adventurous but familiar enough to be safe. Add one odd premise that makes it seem unique for spice. If this is written well enough, readers flock.

God forbid the main character actually struggles or the writer attempts to be too original. But that's my take, I'm jaded by reality.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

My wife was listening to an audionovel that sounds like Snakes and Ladders but with a wealthy "surprise/secret husband" and an actress for MC instead of an actor.... If it weren't for some very interesting side characters, that would have been a bit boring I think. So the system alone may not be the real culprit here, just makes the flaws in storytelling more obvious...

 

[So_Indecisive]

Systems remove all forms of Tension for me. With a system there are no stakes at all. Even if the protag gets in a little life threatening situation Daddy system will probably save them with a system draw.

At first when I encountered system stories I thought oh wow that's cute but did not think that much of it, even now if I search really hard I can find enjoyable stories with that format. But its getting increasingly difficult and my god is it popping up everywhere and it is not slowing down.

Reincarnated as a noble/cultivator/someone with an ancient bloodline, all these tropes now days half of these stories will add a system because apparently being reincarnated is not advantageous enough.

Same with fanfics or transported into a anime/novel the mc read, maybe I have bad taste for enjoying the premise and for enjoying all of these seemingly "trash" pieces of fiction but I do. At least I do until the dreaded system gets introduced, almost every time that goddamn system gets introduced.

Like being reincarnated as lets Naruto at the start of the story, if the mc still needs a system after being reincarnated as the reincarnation of asura! Then he deserves to be kissed by Sasuke and punched by Sakura until the story ends.

It's too much! I don't think the authors realize how goddamn OP these systems are. Almost all systems give the mc powers or abilities right out the gate that no other character in the story should be able to match.

It just keeps going: Celestial physique, Awakened: Eyes of the shadow god, awakened: Ancient bloodline 100% activated: Bonded harem: 125: Absorbing the power of harem bonded, 70% completed: Control over all elements, yes.

Complete quest: flush toilet after you take a shit. Reward: World fragment and gain control of chaos mana.

Complete quest: wash hands after you piss. Reward: 20 inch dong.

Like damn he already was unrivaled after the first gift why does it keep going? and in what world did our dear mc awaken these powers? Haikyiu!... wow how needed, the MC would have never survived without a system in that dangerous world.

And another thing, it just turns the whole story into word filler, 80% system updates 20% story and with some of these system stories that´s being generous.

And a novel I was reading the main character got reborn in OPM got the powers of Shazam, the thunder fruit from one piece and still had a system.
Those two are already OP enough.

My major problem with systems is that i see it as a blessing of a god.
What god gives he can also take away

 

[3guanoff]

I have never written a system story. They take complex concepts such as "strength" and "luck" and make them quantifiable. Doing so in a sensible manner is difficult. As a reader, my biggest gripe is with "wisdom" and "intelligence".
Some writers handle it well, others do not. I prefer less pseudo-logic and more "a wizard did it".

 

[Zagaroth]

It can be done well. I'll use After the End: Serenity as an example.

This is a system that is available to everyone, and it has a specific reason for existing that is revealed later on in the series. Very importantly, it acts like a guide and a safety for developing one's abilities. If the system was gone, everyone could still learn to do exactly the same thing, but with a lot more danger involved.

This also means that you can learn to grow beyond the bounds of what the system enables, which the system is fine with. It's just that most people take the easy path of relying on the system.

The system does show some favoritism in Serenity's case, but there's story reasons making Serenity interesting enough for the system's (currently limited) sapience to take an interest in him. But even when trying to help, the system can only do things within its limitations and only when a person is 'leveling up'.

 

[beast_regards]

Everyone hates the blue boxes.

But everyone understands what they try to convey.

 

[fdfasdfsdv]

I hate most Systems. Especially the ludicrous ones that basically make the MC God for doing nothing. Or use it to give the MC exactly what he needs right before he needs it.

If everyone has it and it is not some bullshit Lucky Draw mechanic where the MC can get a SSS rank whatever it can be ok. However the stories that aren't shit with Systems are few and far between.

Usually I just drop the story once I see a System pop up though.