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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Meech17" data-source="post: 9447468" data-attributes="member: 7044459">I think we've got a disconnect in the RPG space. Much like pornography can give people unrealistic expectations of actual sex, Actual Play podcasts can give gamers unrealistic expectations of RPGs. We see these amazing stories unfold in Critical Role, or The Adventure Zone or whatever, and say "I want to have my game also play out with a really great story." The problem is that our tables aren't made up of voice actors, and regular actors, and people who make fun, interesting, humorous, or otherwise compelling content for a living. Our tables are made up of normal people. People who just want to have fun, and goof off with their friends to unwind after a long week. So because our players aren't dedicated 'Yes-Anders' motivated to make the game interesting for outside listeners, the average DM may find themselves thinking "I must not be giving them enough material to work off of!" and can lead to them trying to plot out all of these interesting story beats and what not to force these kinds of narratives. I think the problem here is that some reactionaries turn and place the blame on the folks like Mercer. "People think they have to do all this extra work, and direct their players like it's a movie, because they want their games to be more like CR! So obviously this is all Mercer's fault, and obviously he does all things which is what encourages normies to try and do it as well!" In reality Mercer just has a very unique table, with very unique circumstances. I'd be willing to bet that if one of us normie DMs got to run a one-shot for the Critical Role team, it would be a really wild, interesting, and cinematic experience, even though we're not Mercer. I'm not saying that Mercer doesn't contribute, but he's not directing his players to perform this way. They make the game a wild and cinematic experience because that's what they want to do. Also, I want to note.. I'm not trying to blame normal players in this situation. I don't think we should expect our players to be like the cast of CR, just like I hope they wouldn't expect us to be like Mercer. It's just that CR =/= Regular D&D.</blockquote>

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