Random encounters is one of the aspects of earlier editions that I really do not miss. It suits a certain style of gameplay, but is very disruptive for a story arc or contained narrative.
In a PnP game I will make up people or encounters as required to push a story along, but it's been a long time since I used a random table to have monsters wander by. I do recall playing the old Basic D&D introduction scenario, Keep on the Borderlands, and our party walking past a group of skeletons who were walking in the opposite direction. Thanks to (another random) good reaction roll, we waved happily to each other and carried on our way. It is fun looking back to those times, but my games and tastes have moved on from all that now.
