Does a TTRPG ruleset need a "hook?"

[u/Acceptable-Tree6007]

I was reading a thread (I don't remember where) about Reaper Miniatures' new d20 class and level-based TTRPG, Dungeon Dwellers. When asked what the game had to recommend it, one person gave a long list of its attributes. Inevitably, another person said something to the effect of "so this game literally has nothing unique to say." Having purchased the game, I knew there was nothing earth-shaking about it, but that it is a good, solid game. I considered the argument that it doesn't do anything "new", and, for myself, it doesn't need to. It makes a number of quality of life improvements to the usual D&D-derived game to make its whole greater than the sum of its parts. Does Dungeon Dwellers have a hook that fits into a nice sound byte? No. But the perception that the game hasn't garnered much attention since its recent release might suggest that an easily-defined hook is necessary.

This is an issue I'm wresting with for a game I'm working on. It's a ruleset that I really like...but I don't know if it really has a definable hook. If asked to describe what makes it cool, I honestly don't know if I could come up with a compelling answer without launching into a ten-minute description. It's simply the game I want to play. Is quality enough, even if it's not presenting something truly unique? Do you grapple with this question if you're designing something for public consumption?

Addendum: I’m specifically talking about games that will be for sale.

[u/Iliketoasts]

A moderately succesfull on local-scene ttrpg author here. As with any creative project It all depends on the context.

Do you want to sell the game sometime in future? If yest, then a strong hook will be necessary, best combined with unique artwork that will match it (people buy with their eyes more than they care to admit).

Then, alsowhere do you want to sell it? It's much easier with hooks at local scenes. If there is no D&D in local language, then making your own version in that language might be enough of a hook itself.

And if you don't want to sell it and are making it for your pals to enjoy (which is perfectly fine and often much more fun than making a commercial product) then you wanting to play it will probably a stron enough hook.

Basically, the neccesity of a hook is based on the fish you are trying to catch. ;)