1 Shot Campaigns, and throw away characters.

[Morrus]

Yes, I can understand trade shows as I have a bit of experience in that area. I just feel that understanding a profession or race is better done over time. I as a GM typically expect very little until 5th lvl from my players as they are often still defining their characters. I find there is often a vast difference between gameplay styles with a 1st lvl character and a 5th or vs a 20th lvl character.

You're assuming we're only playing D&D. Thousands of games have much lighter rules. Your question becomes very different when not viewed through a narrow D&D lens.

 

[zarionofarabel]

I like to use one-shots as pickup games when members of the group are absent and the regular campaign wouldn't really function properly with said PC missing (which is almost always the way I run campaigns).

So I use simple systems, like Mausritter or my absolute new favorite, Mothership! Systems like those means it takes but a few minutes to make a PC, so very little time in the session is dedicated to character creation.

The throwaway nature of the PCs means a couple of things that I think really enhance the experience over a regular long form campaign. With a one-shot, because players know it will probably only be a single session, they tend to be WAY less risk adverse, which means PCs take all kinds of crazy risks that don't normally happen in a campaign where the players try hard to keep PCs from harm. It makes for some interesting and unusual gameplay, and lots and lots of laughs. I really love Mothership especially because it's a horror game, so a TPK at the end of the session is pretty much expected. Makes for a nice little concise story with a satisfying horror movie ending.

 

[payn]

I actually prefer some styles and genres to be one shots. In that case, I spend much less focus on the character aspects (species, ancestry, ethnicity) and more of a focus on the setting and story. Really leaning into the genre conventions. Its a nice change of pace.

 

[Lanefan]

I actually prefer some styles and genres to be one shots. In that case, I spend much less focus on the character aspects (species, ancestry, ethnicity)

Same here, but (if chance and time permit) all that focus goes into its personality instead. I'm only going to get one chance to play this character so I'd better do whatever I can to make it memorable.