• NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.

15 questions about your gaming style

I'm going to both answer the questions and comment on the questionnaire. I hope it won't get too confusing. ;)

Which of these genres interest you the most? (choose one or more)
Sci-fi, fantasy, modern, historical, horror, humor/satire, realistic shooting, superhero, surreal, detective, post-apocalyptic, multi-genre, other?
Answer: Definitely fantasy. Urban fantasy/ modern occult at second place, sci-fi third.

Comment: I think you are mixing settings and genres here. You can have a detective game in modern, sci-fi or fantasy setting, for example. Better to split these two.

What sort of emphasis would you like the game to have? (choose one or more)
Troubleshooting, action, tactics, plotting, wackiness, story, character growth, technical stuff, business-simulation, epicness, survival, other?
Answer: Story, with a solid dose of character growth and heroism. Action and survival are fine too, sometimes.

Comment: That's a good question to ask. People often prefer the same genre, but completely different play styles within it. It might be good to supplement this question with: "give a book or movie example of the style you prefer".

Will you be willing to get to know the game and learn to understand the game-world? Will you read the GM’s e-mails and hand-outs outside the game?
Answer: Definitely. I don't have too much time, but I'm always willing to learn a new game or a new setting. It really helps me improve my gaming skills, and can be fun in itself. I will not only read GM's emails and hand-outs; I may also write my own if it fits the game (in one campaign I currently play I send short stories about my character between sessions; in other I solve mathematical puzzles that are inspired by in-game events).

Comment: Once again, a good question to ask. It's good to know if you play with casual gamers (or people that suffer a severe lack of free time) that will bail out if they need to spend some time on the game out of session, or with people who need these hand-outs to really get into the game.

Which of these are you and how much?
Gamist
Narrativist
Simulationist
Answer: All, in order of N>S>G.
Being able to make important choices, that shape the story and change my character, is crucial for me. Take that away and I will leave the table. Consistent game world and consistent character behavior are important, too, but I may accept a little handwaving. Overcoming tough challenges through luck and ingenuity is fun, but I can have fun in gaming without it.

Comment: Not a good question. Very few people are only one of these. GNS/ Big Model is much more useful in describing a game (as in: what's happening at a table) than in describing people.
Also, if you want to use this kind of classification, it's better to use more detailed and precise terms as defined in Forge essays. And it's even better to ask for some explanation in the answer, like I provided above - some people use the GNS terms in different meanings, so that can easily lead to confusion (eg. one player favors immersion and does not want the system to get in the way, another wants a system that precisely models what happens in the game world - which of them is a simulationist?).

What guarantees a good game? Short answers please.
Answer: Nothing. There's no thing that can give you a guarantee. There are several factors that make a good game more likely, but listing and describing them is not a short answer. ;)

Comment: What did you expect to get from this question?

What is the ideal size of a gaming group?
Answer: Depends on the game. 3 players + GM for intense, immersive play or for rules-heavy, tactical games. 4-5 players + GM for lighter games.

Do you prefer a designated GM or a GM hot-seat?
Answer: One campaign, one GM, typically. But I also play a lot of one-shots, each run by a different person.

How challenging the game should be to player characters? Please note that this has nothing to do with how challenging the game is to players.
Answer: "Quite challenging" to "Extremely challenging". And by "challenging" I don't mean using high numbers in enemies' writedowns, but questioning characters' beliefs and putting things they care for at stake.
If you want to challenge my paladin, don't make him fight a dragon. Make him decide if he'll give away an ancient sword that he took an oath to protect, to save children the dragon keeps as slaves.

Comment: A good question, again. I like challenges and would be bored without them, but I played with people who perceive this kind of play as opressive and not fun. It's good to know who you play with.

Can bad dice rolls kill characters? Can characters die at all? (already discussed in a separate thread)
Answer: Bad rolls alone should never kill characters. Players should be able to put their characters' lives at stake, but they shouldn't be at stake by default.
If each conflict threatens characters' lives, the game ends up strongly biased in characters' favor, because otherwise everybody would die in two combats on average. I strongly prefer having a fair chance to lose in every conflict (on average, losing 30-50% of conflicts every session), but with defeat bringing interesting complications instead of removing my character from game.

Comment: Opinions are strongly polarized on this matter; mine is not an exception. One has to know what the group's preferences are, or there will be painful surprises during play.

How much the GM should help players in game? With rule-questions the GM must help of course but if the character is in a tight spot and should make a decision, should the GM offer an option (thus putting words in the players mouth – “ok, I’ll do that!”) or should the player be given the right to make his/her own decisions, whether right or wrong? Should the GM have a GMPC which guides players through difficult spots?
Answer: No GMPCs, ever.
The GM may and should help if players overlook or completely misinterpret some facts that were presented in play. It's GM's job to keep everyone on the same page on what is happening and what happened.
But solutions should be suggested only for very inexperienced players or when a player asks for it himself. In other cases it is taking choice away from players.
In general, it's better to avoid situations with "good" and "wrong" solutions whenever possible. Some choices may make things painful for characters - but they were taken for some reason. One shouldn't make them less problematic because of that, but shouldn't treat them as incorrect, either.

Comment: One more good playstyle question.

What do with a PC when the player can’t come?
Answer: If it has sense, the character handles his own business until the player is back. If it has some sense, but not much, handwave a little and explicitly ask for player cooperation ("Mark is not with us, so don't try to contact his character, even though you can"). If the character cannot move away without breaking suspension of disbelief, the GM plays him until he can.

Do you like traditional gaming? (whatever that is?) Do you enjoy groundbreaking, innovative games?
Answer: I like games that support the play style they advertise instead of doing things because it's how they have always been done.
I don't like innovative games for sake of innovation. It's just that newer games are usually more consistently designed than the older ones.

Do you want the GM to prepare the session and to write the story or would you like the characters to create the story themselves? Script vs. freedom, which do you prefer?
Answer: Both or neither, depending how you look at it.
I want the story to be shaped by players' choices, not pre-scripted. But I also don't want a "sandbox", where freedom is so complete that nothing is really important.
I want the situation to be build around characters, around their goals, their beliefs, their fears. It's GM's job to actively question and challenge, to push characters to see how they react.

Comment: People often focus on the "railroad"-"sandbox" spectrum, forgetting that the game may be player-driven and GM-directed at the same time. If PCs and the game world are not seen as completely separate and immutable, there is no conflict.

How fast-paced the game should be? Can we stop to buy equipment for an hour or should the GM be ruthless and skip over the parts that he doesn’t deem vital to the story? (referring to “guards at the gate”)
Answer: Don't waste my time on unimportant things. I have only so much time for playing, keep it fun.
Note, however, that:
1. GM is not the only person who decides what is important, and what is not. That's a question for the whole group.
2. The more immersive the game, the more color (descriptions, casual conversations etc.) it needs to build the mood.
3. Combat tactics is unimportant for me. I like fights, because they are dramatic, colorful and clearly show that something important is at stake. But if resolving one takes more than 5-10 minutes, it stops being dramatic and starts being boring.

How do you feel about having off-game discussions about in-game issues?
Edit: Clarification for the question 15 (this seems to be unclear)
For instance "how to invade the cloud castle" or "troublesome sheriff giving grief to PCs" are both in-game issues. The question means that should the characters talk about the in-game problem (thus having in-game dialogue) or should they talk (or be allowed to talk) about the issue off-game. And off-game naturally means out of character.
GM: "You see an ogre in front of you."
In-game method: "Krugh hate ogre! Krugh kill ogre!"
Off-game discussion about an in-game issue: "Ok, should we consider running or should we fight? You guys are so low on hp that I'd hate to get everyone killed but on the other hand my Chaotic Neutral half-orc really hates ogres..."
Answer: There are two types of such discussions: considering fictional results and considering metagame results.
Considering fictional results is tactical and strategic planning ("how to invade the cloud castle"). If these things fit into a single session, keep them in game. If they are long-term, let players plan their actions OOC, as long as they are not kept secret from the GM. This has the added benefit of giving an advance warning on PC actions and letting the GM prepare for them (as opposed to being unprepared or spending a lot of time guessing and preparing for all possibilities).
But players may also consider metagame results of in-game actions - and this requires discussing them OOC. Sometimes, actions that are natural from character's POV threaten group cohesion, block somebody or take too much spotlight. Mouse Guard RPG has an explicit rule that may be paraphrased as "Your characters may get into arguments or even fights. Do it sometimes - it's fun. But always make sure that other players are OK with it." That is exactly how I do it.



A general comment: A few important questions seem to be missing. There are some things that, in my experience, people feel strongly about and that can cause conflicts during play. They are:

1. Existence of social resolution mechanics and how it interacts with PCs.

2. "Soft system" (game rules are a set of guidelines, a tool for the GM to use; ruling > rule) vs. "Hard system" (playing RAW, rules create the structure of play).

3. Fortune-in-the-Middle vs. Fortune-in-the-End and process simulation vs. metagame resources (see: many discussions on "disassociated mechanics").
 

log in or register to remove this ad

Question 1
Which of these genres interest you the most? (choose one or more)
Sci-fi, fantasy, modern, historical, horror, humor/satire, realistic shooting, superhero, surreal, detective, post-apocalyptic, multi-genre, other?

In order: SF, fantasy, realistic shooting.

Question 2
What sort of emphasis would you like the game to have? (choose one or more)
Troubleshooting, action, tactics, plotting, wackiness, story, character growth, technical stuff, business-simulation, epicness, survival, other?

Player enjoyment, story, tactics.

Question(s) 3
Will you be willing to get to know the game and learn to understand the game-world? Will you read the GM’s e-mails and hand-outs outside the game?

Obviously. "the game" isn't just sitting around the table.

Question 4
Which of these are you and how much?
Gamist
Narrativist
Simulationist

I reject the tripartite division.


Question 5
What guarantees a good game? Short answers please.

Nothing. But shared authority, good friends, and a bottle of single malt don't hurt.


Question 6
What is the ideal size of a gaming group?

A full table.

Question 7
Do you prefer a designated GM or a GM hot-seat?

Fine with either. I want people who what to GM.

Question 8
How challenging the game should be to player characters? Please note that this has nothing to do with how challenging the game is to players.

Just more than they think they can handle.

Question 9
Can bad dice rolls kill characters? Can characters die at all? (already discussed in a separate thread)

Yes to both, but not without player foolishness or determined purpose.


Question 10
How much the GM should help players in game? With rule-questions the GM must help of course but if the character is in a tight spot and should make a decision, should the GM offer an option (thus putting words in the players mouth – “ok, I’ll do that!”) or should the player be given the right to make his/her own decisions, whether right or wrong? Should the GM have a GMPC which guides players through difficult spots?

When other avenues are exhausted or the players are discontent.


Question 11
What do with a PC when the player can’t come?

Fade into the background. The player is being punished by not being there for the game.

Question(s) 12
Do you like traditional gaming? (whatever that is?) Do you enjoy groundbreaking, innovative games?

Yes to both.

Question 13
Do you want the GM to prepare the session and to write the story or would you like the characters to create the story themselves? Script vs. freedom, which do you prefer?

The script should be there, and the ref should be willing to let it fall to the side.

Question 14
How fast-paced the game should be? Can we stop to buy equipment for an hour or should the GM be ruthless and skip over the parts that he doesn’t deem vital to the story? (referring to “guards at the gate”)

Just a little faster than players want, though I have no idea of how to achieve that.

Question 15
How do you feel about having off-game discussions about in-game issues?

whatever's most fun for the players at the table.
 

Question 1
Which of these genres interest you the most? (choose one or more)
Sci-fi, fantasy, modern, historical, horror, humor/satire, realistic shooting, superhero, surreal, detective, post-apocalyptic, multi-genre, other?

Fantasy and superhero.

Question 2
What sort of emphasis would you like the game to have? (choose one or more)
Troubleshooting, action, tactics, plotting, wackiness, story, character growth, technical stuff, business-simulation, epicness, survival, other?

Tactics and epic storylines are a great combination.

Question(s) 3
Will you be willing to get to know the game and learn to understand the game-world? Will you read the GM’s e-mails and hand-outs outside the game?

10 pages maximum before the game. Little by little between sessions.

Question 4
Which of these are you and how much?
Gamist
Narrativist
Simulationist
More info here: GNS Theory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Narravitivist with a hint of Simulationist. Very little gamist.

Question 5
What guarantees a good game? Short answers please.

GM and players are willing to work together to make the game work.

Question 6
What is the ideal size of a gaming group?

GM + 3-5 players

Question 7
Do you prefer a designated GM or a GM hot-seat?

Designated GM

Question 8
How challenging the game should be to player characters? Please note that this has nothing to do with how challenging the game is to players.

Over half of the time a bit challenging, sometimes very challenging. Very rarely "fight like gods or die" -mode. If the group composition is poor, then the challenges can get surprisingly difficult.

Question 9
Can bad dice rolls kill characters? Can characters die at all? (already discussed in a separate thread)

Yes.

Question 10
How much the GM should help players in game? With rule-questions the GM must help of course but if the character is in a tight spot and should make a decision, should the GM offer an option (thus putting words in the players mouth – “ok, I’ll do that!”) or should the player be given the right to make his/her own decisions, whether right or wrong? Should the GM have a GMPC which guides players through difficult spots?

No GMPC. The GM is the impartial storyteller not a player. I hate it when GMs play their own game. It's unfair.

Question 11
What do with a PC when the player can’t come?

Anything goes as long as the PC survives.

Question(s) 12
Do you like traditional gaming? (whatever that is?) Do you enjoy groundbreaking, innovative games?

Traditional.

Question 13
Do you want the GM to prepare the session and to write the story or would you like the characters to create the story themselves? Script vs. freedom, which do you prefer?

Scripts are the best for me.

Question 14
How fast-paced the game should be? Can we stop to buy equipment for an hour or should the GM be ruthless and skip over the parts that he doesn’t deem vital to the story? (referring to “guards at the gate”)

Skip the nonsense... but GM should allow the players the players to play the "boring" parts if they want to.

Question 15
How do you feel about having off-game discussions about in-game issues?

I don't like them. Metagaming is poor form.
 

1) GENRE - Superheroes, Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror, in no order of preference.

2) EMPHASIS - Story, survival, character growth. Again, in no order.

3) WILLINGNESS TO LEARN - I will, within reason. As long as it doesn't try my patience or consist of nothing but useless detail. I have little interest in new rules systems.

4) GNS - GNS theory is so much Byhakee droppings!

5) GUARANTEE A GOOD GAME - No outside distractions and comfortable seating.

6) IDEAL GROUP SIZE - 3-5 (including the Referee) no more.

7) HOT-SEAT GM - I prefer a hot-seat Referee, it keeps the game fresh and improves player involvement, but doesn't work for every game.

8) CHARACTER CHALLENGE - Entirely varies per campaign.

9) BAD DICE KILLS CHARACTERS? - Bad rolls can kill characters as can stupidity or pissing off the Referee.

10) GM HELP - Varies according to the player's experience and ability. If it helps the game and doesn't take away the player's freedom, I have no problem with it.

11) MISSING PLAYER - Play a different game.

12) TRADITIONAL VS. INNOVATIVE - I have no idea what this question means. If it asks whether I like weird rules or settings, no, not so much.

13) SCRIPT VS. FREEDOM - I'm actually fine with scripted campaigns, as long as the story isn't the Referee's ego-boosting garbage.

14) FAST-PACED? - Depends on the campaign.

15) OUT OF GAME DISCUSSION DURING PLAY - I dislike it, but I put up with it.
 

Question 1
Which of these genres interest you the most? (choose one or more)
Sci-fi, fantasy, modern, historical, horror, humor/satire, realistic shooting, superhero, surreal, detective, post-apocalyptic, multi-genre, other?

Fantasy is my favorite, then superhero, then sci-fi or post-apocalyptic. If there's no "weird" element at all I'm not interested.

Question 2
What sort of emphasis would you like the game to have? (choose one or more)
Troubleshooting, action, tactics, plotting, wackiness, story, character growth, technical stuff, business-simulation, epicness, survival, other?

All except businness-simulation (if I understand what is meant by that; world simulation = good, running an office supply company = boring) and wackiness (we players will unintentionally supply the wackiness). Variety is the spice of life.

Question(s) 3
Will you be willing to get to know the game and learn to understand the game-world? Will you read the GM’s e-mails and hand-outs outside the game?

Yes to all, but please don't give me a 60-page world background; that's too much.

Question 4
Which of these are you and how much?
Gamist
Narrativist
Simulationist
More info here: GNS Theory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I'm not sure how useful a model GNS is, but let's say 25%/25%/50%.

Question 5
What guarantees a good game? Short answers please.

Nothing.

Question 6
What is the ideal size of a gaming group?
Four to six players plus GM.

Question 7
Do you prefer a designated GM or a GM hot-seat?
I usually prefer to GM, but each GM should have his own campaign, not rotating GMs for one campaign.

Question 8
How challenging the game should be to player characters? Please note that this has nothing to do with how challenging the game is to players.

Pretty challenging. There should be risks of failure, defeat, and death, but those risks should be more or less managable.

Question 9
Can bad dice rolls kill characters? Can characters die at all? (already discussed in a separate thread)

Yes, please.

Question 10
How much the GM should help players in game? With rule-questions the GM must help of course but if the character is in a tight spot and should make a decision, should the GM offer an option (thus putting words in the players mouth – “ok, I’ll do that!”) or should the player be given the right to make his/her own decisions, whether right or wrong? Should the GM have a GMPC which guides players through difficult spots?

No guidance from the GM unless it is "in world". So if the PC casts a commune spell he will get a straight answer. An NPC could offer advice, but it will be from his perspective, not from the GM's "omniscient" perspective (i.e. it could be wrong).

Question 11
What do with a PC when the player can’t come?

That PC is out of the action that day, with some (possibly thin) in-game reason why.

Question(s) 12
Do you like traditional gaming? (whatever that is?) Do you enjoy groundbreaking, innovative games?

"Yes", and "sometimes".

Question 13
Do you want the GM to prepare the session and to write the story or would you like the characters to create the story themselves? Script vs. freedom, which do you prefer?

There should be meaningful options, and freedom of choice for the players. OTOH, its OK (actually, its really good) if the NPCs have plans of their own that will come to fruition if the PCs don't stop them, and those plans may have consequences that affect the PCs. In other words, if the PCs decide not to try to take the One Ring to Mount Doom because they want to do something else, that's fine - but then they have to live in the world where Sauron wins...


Question 14
How fast-paced the game should be? Can we stop to buy equipment for an hour or should the GM be ruthless and skip over the parts that he doesn’t deem vital to the story? (referring to “guards at the gate”)

Action is great, but don't skip the other parts. A book with just action scenes would suck, and so would a campaign with just battles.

Question 15
How do you feel about having off-game discussions about in-game issues?

A mixtures is OK.
 

Into the Woods

Remove ads

Top