Lately I have been looking at a lot of posts in this forum and really thinking and wondering about things. I keep falling back to the idea of various forms of narrative for each type of game I hear about, and am seriously wondering how many people play into each archetype.
I really feel that there are a few conventions to narrative in television that most games fall into:
1.) The Mid-form Series: Seems to be the one that most games fall into. Story Arcs frame in an almost seasonal span. This style usually runs for around 5-7 "seasons" with various results. Not uncommon to see churn as new characters come and go, but there is usually some driving force that makes the game continue. Most Mid-form series (and games that I have been in personally) start to flounder when 75% of the cast has been replaced. While there may be a central character and storyline there are always deviations to keep the audience busy and keep the whole flow going.
2.) The Mini-Series: Really what I personally like to see in games, though I use the term Mini-Series more in how Americans view short-term dramas and comedies from across the pond. Usually 1-3 'seasons', with full development going on both on and off screen. The mini-series is your classic Adventure Path, with a detailed beginning, middle, and end, and packs in a lot into that short time span. This allows for mid-range development opportunities, but can leave some players wanting more.
3.) The Action Movie Franchise/Serial: Clearly delineated, we know the characters like the backs of our hands. There are roles into which each fits, and they take the roles with purpose. Usually these are shorter campaigns but each person has 'the limelight' in their own way. While the characters may develop each 'film' could be ripped from the last with minimal loss of understanding of the characters. I feel this is best described when we as DMs use premade adventures where the party comes together for goal X. Some serials can be Epic, but most just have the same characters playing off of each other.
4.) The Epic Series: These are the Gunsmokes of our lexicon. Characters know everyone, and there are little intricate plays within the game that can only be handled by years of play. You're comfortable with the characters as presented and there's not a lot of churn in the PC marketplace. People play from level 1-infinity with various elements and go from there.
5.) The Star Studded Ensemble: These are usually one-offs or short games where everyone fires up their best and brightest. The cast is heavy with big names, and their goals are enormous. You can't swing a displacer beast without hitting your version of Elminster talking to Lord Strahd about a joke they heard from Van Richten in regards to proclivities between werebeasts and their beastly kin.
6.) The Horror Film: Not necessarily a horror game, but the bodycount is high. We attach to a core of main characters but churn is heavy. Most games that go this route are a complete bloodbath, or there's just so much movement within the party (or the players controlling them) that it is not usual to see the same faces twice in the sequel.'
So which type of game are you most commonly finding yourself in? Any other sorts of storytelling motifs that I may have forgotten?
I really feel that there are a few conventions to narrative in television that most games fall into:
1.) The Mid-form Series: Seems to be the one that most games fall into. Story Arcs frame in an almost seasonal span. This style usually runs for around 5-7 "seasons" with various results. Not uncommon to see churn as new characters come and go, but there is usually some driving force that makes the game continue. Most Mid-form series (and games that I have been in personally) start to flounder when 75% of the cast has been replaced. While there may be a central character and storyline there are always deviations to keep the audience busy and keep the whole flow going.
2.) The Mini-Series: Really what I personally like to see in games, though I use the term Mini-Series more in how Americans view short-term dramas and comedies from across the pond. Usually 1-3 'seasons', with full development going on both on and off screen. The mini-series is your classic Adventure Path, with a detailed beginning, middle, and end, and packs in a lot into that short time span. This allows for mid-range development opportunities, but can leave some players wanting more.
3.) The Action Movie Franchise/Serial: Clearly delineated, we know the characters like the backs of our hands. There are roles into which each fits, and they take the roles with purpose. Usually these are shorter campaigns but each person has 'the limelight' in their own way. While the characters may develop each 'film' could be ripped from the last with minimal loss of understanding of the characters. I feel this is best described when we as DMs use premade adventures where the party comes together for goal X. Some serials can be Epic, but most just have the same characters playing off of each other.
4.) The Epic Series: These are the Gunsmokes of our lexicon. Characters know everyone, and there are little intricate plays within the game that can only be handled by years of play. You're comfortable with the characters as presented and there's not a lot of churn in the PC marketplace. People play from level 1-infinity with various elements and go from there.
5.) The Star Studded Ensemble: These are usually one-offs or short games where everyone fires up their best and brightest. The cast is heavy with big names, and their goals are enormous. You can't swing a displacer beast without hitting your version of Elminster talking to Lord Strahd about a joke they heard from Van Richten in regards to proclivities between werebeasts and their beastly kin.
6.) The Horror Film: Not necessarily a horror game, but the bodycount is high. We attach to a core of main characters but churn is heavy. Most games that go this route are a complete bloodbath, or there's just so much movement within the party (or the players controlling them) that it is not usual to see the same faces twice in the sequel.'
So which type of game are you most commonly finding yourself in? Any other sorts of storytelling motifs that I may have forgotten?
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