Keeping the sense of wonder alive

[Neonchameleon]

And your players don't do this? Really? I could point to dozens of threads over the years on this board talking about exactly this. It's hardly rare that the DM is trying to evoke a particular response and the players just aren't buying it.

Snark at the table is a sign something's going wrong. I've not been playing in S'mon's games for long. But haven't seen any in his.

Like I said, trying to force things, trying to really evoke a sensawunda moment is a lost cause. Players are almost universally not as tied into whatever you're selling as you are.

If you have to force it then you are trying too hard.

Sensawunda moments happen when they happen. When the stars and the planets line up just right, and everyone happens to be in just the right mood, that's when you get sensawunda moments.

Doesn't mean you can't encourage it. Evocative narration, foreshadowing, impacts that matter. Ultimately the biggest thing needed for a sense of wonder is a baseline.

 

[Desdichado]

No. No they don't. Why would they set aside a Sunday afternoon and travel an hour to the game, just to do that? And why would the GM tolerate it?
IME, after a bit of settling-in time and chat before the game, the players focus entirely on the game for 4-5 hours, with no goofing off. That's equally true both for old friends and people I've just met. It's true for 18 year olds and 45 year olds. It's true whether I've played at my/another's house or in the pub. Over 26+ years playing RPGs I've never experienced what you describe.

Huh.

If that were happening at my table, I'd wonder why my players didn't like each other.

 

[Hussar]

S'mon, never in any game you've played has anyone dropped wise cracks, made "I attack the darkness" jokes, or Monty Python references? In 18 years? Not once?

I'm finding that rather diffucult to believe.

I'll admit, my online games tend to be mostly in character, but, sheesh, we still drop some pretty good one liners pretty much every session.

It's not snark. It's not anyone sabotaging the game. We're having a good time. And, having a good time includes the occassional punning or online link to some really funny music.

 

[S'mon]

Snark at the table is a sign something's going wrong. I've not been playing in S'mon's games for long. But haven't seen any in his.

GMing 3e & 4e tabletop I tend to rely a bit much on minis & battlemats to set the scene, but when I do put the effort into verbal description I've never had players undermine any SOW the way Hussar describes. They tend to be extremely supportive & appreciative IME.

 

[S'mon]

S'mon, never in any game you've played has anyone dropped wise cracks, made "I attack the darkness" jokes, or Monty Python references? In 18 years? Not once?

Not at a time that would take everyone out of the game and undermine SOW, no. I don't understand why players would want to undermine their own enjoyment. Any jokes are in-character, like in Star Wars. OOC joshing around is kept for before & after the game, or for defined break periods within it.

During the game, players focus on the game. I kinda thought this was normal; your groups' approach seems pretty dysfunctional to me but if you're enjoying it clearly YMMV.

 

[Doug McCrae]

On a number of occasions when I was attending Glasgow University Gaming Society I watched the various tables (there were about 7-8 different game groups) and it was extremely interesting to note the differences.

Last time I did it I noticed the Call of Cthulhu group had a lot more laughter and joking than any of the other tables. I suspect this is to break the tension, which is much higher in a horror game. Much in the same way that medics are noted for their gallows humour.

 

[S'mon]

Snark at the table is a sign something's going wrong. I've not been playing in S'mon's games for long. But haven't seen any in his.

GMing 3e & 4e tabletop I tend to rely a bit much on minis & battlemats to set the scene, but when I do put the effort into verbal description I've never had players undermine any SOW the way Hussar describes. They tend to be extremely supportive & appreciative IME.

 

[S'mon]

Snark at the table is a sign something's going wrong. I've not been playing in S'mon's games for long. But haven't seen any in his.

GMing 3e & 4e tabletop I tend to rely a bit much on minis & battlemats to set the scene, but when I do put the effort into verbal description I've never had players undermine any SOW the way Hussar describes. They tend to be extremely supportive & appreciative IME.

 

[S'mon]

Sorry about all the multiple posts, ENW is really playing up badly right now.

 

[MortonStromgal]

my 1/50th of a dollar...

Don't underestimate the power of props, especially lighting. I have seen nothing set the mood like lighting over the years.