"Rules without Introductions?" Topic

Just a passing thought, nothing particularly controversial.

I recently bought a copy of .45 Adventures for future Pulp gaming – they look to be a solid, flexible set of rules, so no problem there. One thing I realised whilst reading them is that they don't have an introduction. It's straight into mechanics. I know there is an element of preaching to the converted regarding some introductions, but it still struck me as unusual. Even Phil Barker has introduction that attempt to explain his approach.

It seems such a obvious thing – I suppose .45 Adventure has a little intro on the back cover, but it's a blurb.

So, should rules have them?

Any favorites? (I quite like the Black Powder and associated books ones myself)

I guess I never thought about it.

I always write an introduction since it seems like a good place to put things like what kind and how many miniatures I suggest, what the style is and the guiding mantras or principles.

Indeed. .45 Adventures opens with a handy index/content list, but the very first paragraph is about the specifics of rolling 'extra 1D10s' – completely without context. Pulp is also a genre of gaming that – whilst many are aware of what it evokes, some aren't, really.

Compared to In Her Majesties Name (as a random example), that has an introduction that evokes the period and flavour, and intent of the rules,it struck me as odd.

Sure.
If the game is good, I don't think it'd discourage me but I'll be honest, I usually find the designers motivations as interesting as the game itself :)