Most Important Questions to Ask at Session 0

[Retreater]

It looks like I'm going to be taking over GMing duties tonight, starting a completely new game for my friends. I'm trying to organize my thoughts before our meeting, and I'm wanting to make sure I don't leave out anything important.

I've known these guys for decades, so I don't think content-related questions need to come up. Also, I already have the date and time for our regular games, so that's not an important question.

We're not even at the point where we know what game system, campaign style, etc., that we're going to play.

What would you make sure you ask?

 

[Morrus]

We're not even at the point where we know what game system, campaign style, etc., that we're going to play.

I guess those would be a good start!

 

[prabe]

Seems as though system and genre/style seem like good starting points. You said this is tonight, so I don't know if you have time for this, but it might be a good idea to have some smallish number (3-5) of ideas for everyone else to choose among. IME it's easier to choose quickly if there are limited possibilities.

I might ask if there's anything specific content-wise the other people specifically don't want now.

 

[payn]

It sounds like what you were doing wasn't working, so I'd try and find out what will? Playing fantasy supers instead of fantasy Vietnam? Maybe skipping fantasy this time and trying a new genre? Shake it up.

 

[hopeless]

I assume you have a list of games you can run so ask them using an abbreviated list of those games to see which one they might like the most and go with the most popular?

Then ask them what their favourite tv series, movie or book is.

When you do your session zero go over your opening plot that was inspired by their answers to the above and see how they respond to that?

For example I'd mention I have Savage Worlds, d&d 5e, Traveller, Star Wars which would you like to play?

I once ran a Savage Worlds game based on the Sundered Isles meets Lost where their passenger plane crash landed on what appears to be a shattered world held aloft and orbiting its molten core with no idea what had happened.

So since you know them maybe you have a better idea about what they'd like to play?

 

[Retreater]

So since you know them maybe you have a better idea about what they'd like to play?

Yes, kind of.
The issue is that I know what they'll say doesn't line up to what they want to actually play. They'll say "deep plot, mystery, political intrigue, etc." but then they won't take notes, won't pay attention during sessions, etc.
So something lighthearted and action-oriented would probably be the best fit.

 

[hopeless]

So ask them about their favourite tv series, book and movie and use that to guide your choice?

One example I tried was using Leverage meets star wars, never got far with that but another person I played with started a Star Wars game that came across very much like that so you never know where you can get the inspiration from!

 

[overgeeked]

I've known these guys for decades, so I don't think content-related questions need to come up. Also, I already have the date and time for our regular games, so that's not an important question.

I’d go over that stuff anyway just to be sure. If it’s a foregone conclusion, then it will only take a second to ask and get answers.

 

[Lanefan]

It looks like I'm going to be taking over GMing duties tonight, starting a completely new game for my friends

First question: how did this situation arise? Is it simply your "turn" to GM; or did your friends punt the last GM and ask you to do it; or is it that nobody else wants to GM at all?

I'm trying to organize my thoughts before our meeting, and I'm wanting to make sure I don't leave out anything important.

I've known these guys for decades, so I don't think content-related questions need to come up. Also, I already have the date and time for our regular games, so that's not an important question.

We're not even at the point where we know what game system, campaign style, etc., that we're going to play.

What would you make sure you ask?

If it's just your turn coming up in a rotating-GM set-up then you'll have to ask and-or reach agreement on a bunch of these sort of questions, starting with - as you note - rules system, style, expected length, etc.

But if you've been asked (or volun-told) to GM and-or you're stuck doing it because no-one else wants to then IMO those shots are entirely yours to call. So don't ask. Tell.

Along the lines of: "You guys want me to GM? Fine. Here's what we're playing, here's the parameters <explain if needed>, here's the system <introduce and-or explain if needed>. Start rolling up yer characters." That way you-as-GM are ready to rock right away and you can all just get on with it rather than losing an evening in a discussion that could end up with you feeling pressured into running something you're less interested in.

 

[Retreater]

First question: how did this situation arise? Is it simply your "turn" to GM; or did your friends punt the last GM and ask you to do it; or is it that nobody else wants to GM at all?

Can we say 2.5? (Punting the last GM, who doesn't want to do it - and no one else wants to either.)

But if you've been asked (or volun-told) to GM and-or you're stuck doing it because no-one else wants to then IMO those shots are entirely yours to call. So don't ask. Tell.

Along the lines of: "You guys want me to GM? Fine. Here's what we're playing, here's the parameters <explain if needed>, here's the system <introduce and-or explain if needed>. Start rolling up yer characters." That way you-as-GM are ready to rock right away and you can all just get on with it rather than losing an evening in a discussion that could end up with you feeling pressured into running something you're less interested in.

Well, that might be, but I still want buy-in. I'm not going to agree to run something I don't want to run, but I want to have them on board.
I'd really want to run WFRPG's Enemy Within - but I don't think that group is cut out for it given the circumstances. I'd rather put time and energy into making a good, light-hearted adventure they'll enjoy than wearing myself out with a deep, immersive campaign that I'm just going to be frustrated with.