Observations from con games
Feb 5, 2012 18:36:48 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2012 18:36:48 GMT -8
So I don't have much experience doing roleplaying games at cons, but I just got done attending one all weekend and I have some thoughts.
I am planning on running some games at Dragoncon this year, and I know there are several things I learned to do and not to do.
Thoughts:
1) Make pregen characters
Nothing worse then wasting 1-1.5 hours in a con trying to get characters created and then not being able to get through the story.
This happened to both myself and a friend..and it is very frustrating for your players. I get you want to show people cool character creation concepts..but a limited time window might not be the best time to do so.
2)Playtest if possible
I could almost tell the games that had been run before and the games hadn't been.
The playtested games ran so much smoother and we managed to get more roleplaying in and complete the story line.
3) Combat is not always necessary to have fun
My favorite game the entire weekend was mostly investigation, planning and scheming. Combat only happened after 3 hours of prep work and it was very very very satisfying to see well laid plans work. Shooting stuff is great fun, but even with great systems like Savage Worlds it will always be slower then narrative.
This particular GM narrated many things and only broke out a very simple battle mat for the final boss fights. I had two friends in that game with me..and they both said it was the most rewarding/fun game played.
4) Keep votes anonymous
If your con has prize support and the RP group needs to vote for "best player", please don't make people point to their favorite. You just spent 4+ hours with these people..no reason to have any hard feelings about votes.
Solution: Just have everyone write their vote on a slit of paper and the GM tally the votes up. It keeps everything from getting unnecessarily uncomfortable.
5) Be clear in your description on playtype(if possible)
Nothing worse then getting stuck in a 4 hour game of PvP if that isn't your thing.
Not to mention, that an all combat PvP game really isn't roleplaying and some people might not want to play a tabletop strategy game.
6) If your GMing and your friend is playing...be carefull.
In the above mentioned PvP (competitive) game..make sure your best bud doesn't win flat out by a long shot. Also make sure he doesn't have the perfectly kitted "pregen" for that particular scenario. This particular player couldn't be seen and was almost impossible to hit when seen...this is only fun for your best bud and not for anyone else.
Moral of the story: Be careful if your friend is in the game you are GMing
7) Be open to player ideas
Many GMs this weekend rolled with the punches and let the players do cool things. Those were some of the best games because everyone had more invested in the story.
Anyone else have any observations?
I hope this doesn't come off as too negative, I had a great time this weekend but I wanted to point out some of the good and some bad
I am planning on running some games at Dragoncon this year, and I know there are several things I learned to do and not to do.
Thoughts:
1) Make pregen characters
Nothing worse then wasting 1-1.5 hours in a con trying to get characters created and then not being able to get through the story.
This happened to both myself and a friend..and it is very frustrating for your players. I get you want to show people cool character creation concepts..but a limited time window might not be the best time to do so.
2)Playtest if possible
I could almost tell the games that had been run before and the games hadn't been.
The playtested games ran so much smoother and we managed to get more roleplaying in and complete the story line.
3) Combat is not always necessary to have fun
My favorite game the entire weekend was mostly investigation, planning and scheming. Combat only happened after 3 hours of prep work and it was very very very satisfying to see well laid plans work. Shooting stuff is great fun, but even with great systems like Savage Worlds it will always be slower then narrative.
This particular GM narrated many things and only broke out a very simple battle mat for the final boss fights. I had two friends in that game with me..and they both said it was the most rewarding/fun game played.
4) Keep votes anonymous
If your con has prize support and the RP group needs to vote for "best player", please don't make people point to their favorite. You just spent 4+ hours with these people..no reason to have any hard feelings about votes.
Solution: Just have everyone write their vote on a slit of paper and the GM tally the votes up. It keeps everything from getting unnecessarily uncomfortable.
5) Be clear in your description on playtype(if possible)
Nothing worse then getting stuck in a 4 hour game of PvP if that isn't your thing.
Not to mention, that an all combat PvP game really isn't roleplaying and some people might not want to play a tabletop strategy game.
6) If your GMing and your friend is playing...be carefull.
In the above mentioned PvP (competitive) game..make sure your best bud doesn't win flat out by a long shot. Also make sure he doesn't have the perfectly kitted "pregen" for that particular scenario. This particular player couldn't be seen and was almost impossible to hit when seen...this is only fun for your best bud and not for anyone else.
Moral of the story: Be careful if your friend is in the game you are GMing
7) Be open to player ideas
Many GMs this weekend rolled with the punches and let the players do cool things. Those were some of the best games because everyone had more invested in the story.
Anyone else have any observations?
I hope this doesn't come off as too negative, I had a great time this weekend but I wanted to point out some of the good and some bad