Should I discuss the type of campaign with my players? Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern) Time to retire the [rules-as-written] tag?How do I help my players not get caught up on smaller plot points?How can I effectively run a sandbox campaign playing 2 hours every week?The World Will End, But Not Tomorrow (or How to Manage Unwarranted Urgency in Players)How much detail needs to go into my campaign before it starts?How can I keep my players interested in the main plot during an open world campaign?How many (loosely linked) layers of story are managable for the players?How to reverse the Balance card from a Deck of Many Things?How can I avoid metagaming and conflicting narratives when presenting parallel stories to the same players?How to make sure the players escape but feel like it was because of their wit?Temporarily retiring character
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Should I discuss the type of campaign with my players?
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Planned maintenance scheduled April 17/18, 2019 at 00:00UTC (8:00pm US/Eastern)
Time to retire the [rules-as-written] tag?How do I help my players not get caught up on smaller plot points?How can I effectively run a sandbox campaign playing 2 hours every week?The World Will End, But Not Tomorrow (or How to Manage Unwarranted Urgency in Players)How much detail needs to go into my campaign before it starts?How can I keep my players interested in the main plot during an open world campaign?How many (loosely linked) layers of story are managable for the players?How to reverse the Balance card from a Deck of Many Things?How can I avoid metagaming and conflicting narratives when presenting parallel stories to the same players?How to make sure the players escape but feel like it was because of their wit?Temporarily retiring character
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
$begingroup$
The campaign I’m preparing is designed to give the illusion of choice via side quests and an open world (not really open), but with a main story line that will be pushed into them sooner or later. The campaign is structured in acts and areas, with each area acting as a sandbox space you can’t really leave, but with an expectation the players will move on to the main plot.
Now, on one side, the campaign will be a lot more fun if the players are not completely aware of this fact and they feel they are free to do whatever they want until certain “events” just push them to go in a given direction. On the other hand, if they behave randomly or fight against the main story line it will ruin the campaign as it is not supposed to be really Sandbox play.
Should I explicitly state to them the type of campaign I’m designing or should I “demonstrate” the type of campaign and hope they’re on board with it?
It’s not a question of etiquette but more trying to decide if I’ll break the suspense by letting them know the general story arc is already on my mind... even if they intuitively already know or suspect it.
dnd-5e gm-techniques campaign-development player-communication
edited 20 mins ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
asked 2 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
23718
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The campaign I’m preparing is designed to give the illusion of choice via side quests and an open world (not really open), but with a main story line that will be pushed into them sooner or later. The campaign is structured in acts and areas, with each area acting as a sandbox space you can’t really leave, but with an expectation the players will move on to the main plot.
Now, on one side, the campaign will be a lot more fun if the players are not completely aware of this fact and they feel they are free to do whatever they want until certain “events” just push them to go in a given direction. On the other hand, if they behave randomly or fight against the main story line it will ruin the campaign as it is not supposed to be really Sandbox play.
Should I explicitly state to them the type of campaign I’m designing or should I “demonstrate” the type of campaign and hope they’re on board with it?
It’s not a question of etiquette but more trying to decide if I’ll break the suspense by letting them know the general story arc is already on my mind... even if they intuitively already know or suspect it.
dnd-5e gm-techniques campaign-development player-communication
edited 20 mins ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
asked 2 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
23718
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
What RPG/edition are you playing? It may not be necessary to answer the question, but it also may influence the sort of tone that players will expect (or should expect) going into the campaign, so it might be useful to know.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
This specific one is dnd 5e, epic fantasy.
$endgroup$
– Jorge Córdoba
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The campaign I’m preparing is designed to give the illusion of choice via side quests and an open world (not really open), but with a main story line that will be pushed into them sooner or later. The campaign is structured in acts and areas, with each area acting as a sandbox space you can’t really leave, but with an expectation the players will move on to the main plot.
Now, on one side, the campaign will be a lot more fun if the players are not completely aware of this fact and they feel they are free to do whatever they want until certain “events” just push them to go in a given direction. On the other hand, if they behave randomly or fight against the main story line it will ruin the campaign as it is not supposed to be really Sandbox play.
Should I explicitly state to them the type of campaign I’m designing or should I “demonstrate” the type of campaign and hope they’re on board with it?
It’s not a question of etiquette but more trying to decide if I’ll break the suspense by letting them know the general story arc is already on my mind... even if they intuitively already know or suspect it.
dnd-5e gm-techniques campaign-development player-communication
edited 20 mins ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
asked 2 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
23718
$endgroup$
The campaign I’m preparing is designed to give the illusion of choice via side quests and an open world (not really open), but with a main story line that will be pushed into them sooner or later. The campaign is structured in acts and areas, with each area acting as a sandbox space you can’t really leave, but with an expectation the players will move on to the main plot.
Now, on one side, the campaign will be a lot more fun if the players are not completely aware of this fact and they feel they are free to do whatever they want until certain “events” just push them to go in a given direction. On the other hand, if they behave randomly or fight against the main story line it will ruin the campaign as it is not supposed to be really Sandbox play.
Should I explicitly state to them the type of campaign I’m designing or should I “demonstrate” the type of campaign and hope they’re on board with it?
It’s not a question of etiquette but more trying to decide if I’ll break the suspense by letting them know the general story arc is already on my mind... even if they intuitively already know or suspect it.
dnd-5e gm-techniques campaign-development player-communication
dnd-5e gm-techniques campaign-development player-communication
edited 20 mins ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
asked 2 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
23718
edited 20 mins ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
asked 2 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
23718
edited 20 mins ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
edited 20 mins ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
edited 20 mins ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
3,9811934
asked 2 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
23718
asked 2 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
23718
asked 2 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
23718
23718
$begingroup$
What RPG/edition are you playing? It may not be necessary to answer the question, but it also may influence the sort of tone that players will expect (or should expect) going into the campaign, so it might be useful to know.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
This specific one is dnd 5e, epic fantasy.
$endgroup$
– Jorge Córdoba
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
What RPG/edition are you playing? It may not be necessary to answer the question, but it also may influence the sort of tone that players will expect (or should expect) going into the campaign, so it might be useful to know.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
This specific one is dnd 5e, epic fantasy.
$endgroup$
– Jorge Córdoba
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
What RPG/edition are you playing? It may not be necessary to answer the question, but it also may influence the sort of tone that players will expect (or should expect) going into the campaign, so it might be useful to know.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
What RPG/edition are you playing? It may not be necessary to answer the question, but it also may influence the sort of tone that players will expect (or should expect) going into the campaign, so it might be useful to know.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
This specific one is dnd 5e, epic fantasy.
$endgroup$
– Jorge Córdoba
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
This specific one is dnd 5e, epic fantasy.
$endgroup$
– Jorge Córdoba
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Yes, you should discuss it with them.
First, it is important to note that "Sandbox" and "railroad" are more of a spectrum than an either-or proposition. As I understand it, you want to put at least some major events on a railroad and allow a bit more of a sandbox during the temporary stops along the rails.
This is a perfectly valid style of play. When I am a gm, I tend to do something similar with certain major plot points preplanned and enforced. This makes it easier for me to have a deep plot and do planning while still allowing some freedom that goes beyond just shuffling from one combat to the next. When I play, I am willing to accept a certain amount of railroading if it makes my gm's job easier and makes them more inclined to develop a deep plot.
However, I explain ahead of time to my players that certain aspects are pre-ordained and I generally appreciate the same courtesy when I am a player. This is especially pertinent right now because games that are much further towards the sandbox side seem to be the default expectation in many communities of gamers right now.
If your players expect a certain amount of railroading then I expect most will accept it quite nicely or at least have a polite discussion about why they don't like that style. If they run into rails or walls they didn't expect though, it can breed feelings of resentment and helplessness. This is especially true if we are talking about significantly negative events that are pre-ordained.
You haven't provided the details of your campaign, but you can probably have a detailed discussion about where on the sandbox-railroad spectrum your game will fall without spoilers. Even if you find light spoilers are necessary, I think that will still be a worthwhile tradeoff for having the discussion. Your players are likely to be much happier if they go into the game with clear expectations.
answered 1 hour ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.4k24095
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
6 mins ago
add a comment |
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
1
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$begingroup$
Yes, you should discuss it with them.
First, it is important to note that "Sandbox" and "railroad" are more of a spectrum than an either-or proposition. As I understand it, you want to put at least some major events on a railroad and allow a bit more of a sandbox during the temporary stops along the rails.
This is a perfectly valid style of play. When I am a gm, I tend to do something similar with certain major plot points preplanned and enforced. This makes it easier for me to have a deep plot and do planning while still allowing some freedom that goes beyond just shuffling from one combat to the next. When I play, I am willing to accept a certain amount of railroading if it makes my gm's job easier and makes them more inclined to develop a deep plot.
However, I explain ahead of time to my players that certain aspects are pre-ordained and I generally appreciate the same courtesy when I am a player. This is especially pertinent right now because games that are much further towards the sandbox side seem to be the default expectation in many communities of gamers right now.
If your players expect a certain amount of railroading then I expect most will accept it quite nicely or at least have a polite discussion about why they don't like that style. If they run into rails or walls they didn't expect though, it can breed feelings of resentment and helplessness. This is especially true if we are talking about significantly negative events that are pre-ordained.
You haven't provided the details of your campaign, but you can probably have a detailed discussion about where on the sandbox-railroad spectrum your game will fall without spoilers. Even if you find light spoilers are necessary, I think that will still be a worthwhile tradeoff for having the discussion. Your players are likely to be much happier if they go into the game with clear expectations.
answered 1 hour ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.4k24095
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
6 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Yes, you should discuss it with them.
First, it is important to note that "Sandbox" and "railroad" are more of a spectrum than an either-or proposition. As I understand it, you want to put at least some major events on a railroad and allow a bit more of a sandbox during the temporary stops along the rails.
This is a perfectly valid style of play. When I am a gm, I tend to do something similar with certain major plot points preplanned and enforced. This makes it easier for me to have a deep plot and do planning while still allowing some freedom that goes beyond just shuffling from one combat to the next. When I play, I am willing to accept a certain amount of railroading if it makes my gm's job easier and makes them more inclined to develop a deep plot.
However, I explain ahead of time to my players that certain aspects are pre-ordained and I generally appreciate the same courtesy when I am a player. This is especially pertinent right now because games that are much further towards the sandbox side seem to be the default expectation in many communities of gamers right now.
If your players expect a certain amount of railroading then I expect most will accept it quite nicely or at least have a polite discussion about why they don't like that style. If they run into rails or walls they didn't expect though, it can breed feelings of resentment and helplessness. This is especially true if we are talking about significantly negative events that are pre-ordained.
You haven't provided the details of your campaign, but you can probably have a detailed discussion about where on the sandbox-railroad spectrum your game will fall without spoilers. Even if you find light spoilers are necessary, I think that will still be a worthwhile tradeoff for having the discussion. Your players are likely to be much happier if they go into the game with clear expectations.
answered 1 hour ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.4k24095
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
6 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Yes, you should discuss it with them.
First, it is important to note that "Sandbox" and "railroad" are more of a spectrum than an either-or proposition. As I understand it, you want to put at least some major events on a railroad and allow a bit more of a sandbox during the temporary stops along the rails.
This is a perfectly valid style of play. When I am a gm, I tend to do something similar with certain major plot points preplanned and enforced. This makes it easier for me to have a deep plot and do planning while still allowing some freedom that goes beyond just shuffling from one combat to the next. When I play, I am willing to accept a certain amount of railroading if it makes my gm's job easier and makes them more inclined to develop a deep plot.
However, I explain ahead of time to my players that certain aspects are pre-ordained and I generally appreciate the same courtesy when I am a player. This is especially pertinent right now because games that are much further towards the sandbox side seem to be the default expectation in many communities of gamers right now.
If your players expect a certain amount of railroading then I expect most will accept it quite nicely or at least have a polite discussion about why they don't like that style. If they run into rails or walls they didn't expect though, it can breed feelings of resentment and helplessness. This is especially true if we are talking about significantly negative events that are pre-ordained.
You haven't provided the details of your campaign, but you can probably have a detailed discussion about where on the sandbox-railroad spectrum your game will fall without spoilers. Even if you find light spoilers are necessary, I think that will still be a worthwhile tradeoff for having the discussion. Your players are likely to be much happier if they go into the game with clear expectations.
answered 1 hour ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.4k24095
$endgroup$
Yes, you should discuss it with them.
First, it is important to note that "Sandbox" and "railroad" are more of a spectrum than an either-or proposition. As I understand it, you want to put at least some major events on a railroad and allow a bit more of a sandbox during the temporary stops along the rails.
This is a perfectly valid style of play. When I am a gm, I tend to do something similar with certain major plot points preplanned and enforced. This makes it easier for me to have a deep plot and do planning while still allowing some freedom that goes beyond just shuffling from one combat to the next. When I play, I am willing to accept a certain amount of railroading if it makes my gm's job easier and makes them more inclined to develop a deep plot.
However, I explain ahead of time to my players that certain aspects are pre-ordained and I generally appreciate the same courtesy when I am a player. This is especially pertinent right now because games that are much further towards the sandbox side seem to be the default expectation in many communities of gamers right now.
If your players expect a certain amount of railroading then I expect most will accept it quite nicely or at least have a polite discussion about why they don't like that style. If they run into rails or walls they didn't expect though, it can breed feelings of resentment and helplessness. This is especially true if we are talking about significantly negative events that are pre-ordained.
You haven't provided the details of your campaign, but you can probably have a detailed discussion about where on the sandbox-railroad spectrum your game will fall without spoilers. Even if you find light spoilers are necessary, I think that will still be a worthwhile tradeoff for having the discussion. Your players are likely to be much happier if they go into the game with clear expectations.
answered 1 hour ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.4k24095
answered 1 hour ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.4k24095
answered 1 hour ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.4k24095
answered 1 hour ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.4k24095
19.4k24095
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
6 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
6 mins ago
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
6 mins ago
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
6 mins ago
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
What RPG/edition are you playing? It may not be necessary to answer the question, but it also may influence the sort of tone that players will expect (or should expect) going into the campaign, so it might be useful to know.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
This specific one is dnd 5e, epic fantasy.
$endgroup$
– Jorge Córdoba
1 hour ago