Comments on: What Happened to RPGs?

By: Jewelfox

Jewelfox — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 08:56:58 +0000

I actually think you identified the problem, when you said “Even the DM didn’t know what would happen next!” Because what you’re describing there doesn’t sound like losing touch with the fantastical, so much as getting burnt out on a game.

Put simply, the players and GMs know what will happen, or at least what can happen within the framework of D&D / Pathfinder rules. The world of the fantastic has become as mundane as Papers and Paychecks to them.

You can try to mine all of the wonder you can out of it, using techniques like the ones that you mentioned. But have you considered trying a different game altogether? Fate Core and Dungeon World are both free online, and very easy to pick up. Even if you use them to do D&D style games, the experience will be very different just because of how they approach the material.

Another way to increase the likeliness of being surprised: Let the players contribute to worldbuilding. I went to my last Fate Core game with only the skeleton of an idea for it, and after a few hours brainstorming with everyone I really wanted to see what happened in this game! Even now, I often ask the players for details like “Where is the nearest settlement, and what’s it like?” or even “Who is unhappy to see you, in this town?”

All of us are new to Fate Core. And yet everyone’s active and engaged, my prep time is almost nothing, and no one’s complained of being railroaded. It’s great. ^^

By: Bryan

Bryan — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 06:01:58 +0000

I’VE been gaming for 40 years now, and I still find enjoyment playing my rpg’s, crpg’s,mmo’s, and card rpg’s.
After long days of working, I look forward to stepping into a fantasy world and becoming my characters that I created. I may be an adult with responsibilities, but I’m still a kid at heart.
Yep, I do get strange looks when I join a session of tabletop gaming, I’m 50, but once the dice get rolling, or in case of M:TG, cards being played, age is forgotten and the fun begins.
Fun being the key word. Life is too serious as it is, and rpg’s help keep my mind fresh and creative.

By: Fail Squad Games

Fail Squad Games — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 06:54:58 +0000

In reply to ALB. I have, and a number of them. It doesn't change my experience with the gap to envision events at the gaming table.

By: Jarrett

Jarrett — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 08:01:37 +0000

As a 32 year old gamer, who’s been playing for more than 2/3 of his life, I haven’t experienced this problem.

I love my characters. I know my characters. I play because I want to play as my characters.
Maybe it’s because I work in a creative field? But no, many of my gaming friends have regular jobs.

Hopefully you can stop “Adulting” too much, and get your fellow players to do so as well.

I’m still very happy to play a traditional RPG or something weird late 90s mash up of The Matrix & Shadowrun in GURPs, or jump over to Scion. An infinite expanse of “what if” space.

I’m happy to be an adult and do all my adult things, but when I game, I’m there to play.

By: ALB

ALB — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 05:53:31 +0000

Clearly, this man has never met a LARPer.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 18:46:40 +0000

EXCELLENT. Great post Lloyd!