Cheeky players.... what would you do?

[Lokishadow]

Three words: Ex Pee Penalty

As I stated in another thread, I penalize my player's final XP by -5% per instance of meta-gaming. Therefore, they would take a -5% penalty right off for having a meta-game name, and a further -5% per instance that their name was mentioned "in game."

Of course, first I would warn them about this, and politely ask them to consider the role-playing aspects of the game, and try to keep it serious. If they want to use a movie as a springboard, fine, but the end result should be a fairly unique character.

 

[Ant]

Are you or are you not the DM?

The relationship between the DM and the players is not one-sided. While the DM usually ends up giving a lot more he is not there to cater for the players every whim. Also, it's not just the DMs responsibility to make sure the game is fun for everyone -- it's up to the players as well. I disagree with the "players are the customers" analogy if only for the fact that this leads to the "customers are always right" mindset and that is definitely not how I'd want to run my games.

I also don't believe it's always necessary for the DM to consult the players before embarking on a new campaign. From personal experience our group has had a number of very enjoyable campaigns where the players were told what the flavour of the campaign was going to be and they were to make characters accordingly. You do need to exercise some caution here -- I've been DMing pretty much the same bunch of whacky misfits for a long, long time and I've been very fortunate that almost all of them have been amazing roleplayers.

Of course, it's also good to get the players feedback and likes and dislikes. Only last night one of the players offered to start a d20 Modern campaign and asked everyone what they'd like the flavour to be. We all enjoyed offering suggestions and appreciated the opportunity to have our say.

Back to the matter at hand, I'd simply tell the players that you had a more serious campaign in mind and that you wouldn't be accepting characters with those names. If they're in the mood for a silly RPG romp then maybe one of them could DM such a game (might I suggest Toon) or, heck, just start a d20 Star Wars game.

 

[pogre]

Remember, the players are the customers, and you can't DM if you don't have them.

hmmmm...

The DM puts all the effort into creating a campaign and he should do what the players want? I agree you should run a game your players want to play in, but if they do not want to play what you do - get a new set of players. The DM is the engine that keeps the game running - players generally bring very little to the game.

I face the frustration of players who get too goofy at the table from time-to-time. I veto names, I ignore out of campaign remarks, I interupt lame puns, and there is an XP penalty for Monte Python quotes. Now that sounds draconian, but I guarantee you our table is very laid back. I just want to keep the gaming going - I like being social - I just try to keep a cap on it. I want to have a RPG gaming experience where people are a little more invested in their characters.

I do not know anyone who has played an extended Tales from the Floating Vagabond campaign, but at least there an agreement to be silly is in place.

 

[DonaldRumsfeldsTofu]

there is an XP penalty for Monte Python quotes.

Dude, that's severely uncool.

 

[Agemegos]

The DM's "job" and responsibility is to create a game that his/her players will enjoy.

There is a considerable element of truth in this. But on the other hand the GM is playing the game as a recreation too, and no-one is paying him or her enough to run a game he or she doesn't enjoy. The Gamemaster is not a servant.

Moreover, one of the things that I have learned in my long experience is that games just don't work out well if the GM dislikes them.

So rather than say that the GM has a duty to run the game the character-players want, I would say that all that players have to agree to play a game that they will all enjoy, and that they all have a responsibility to keep the game within mutually enjoyable grounds. If they can't do this, the group is best off breaking up.

But that JMNSHO. YDWYDWP.

 

[Smokingmonkee]

More than meets the eye

That is a great idea, I need to figure out how to have my warforged turn into a big rig.

 

[Zandy]

The DM puts all the effort into creating a campaign and he should do what the players want?

Right.

At no time in my original post did I say that the DM not be creative or original. Maybe I should be a bit more exact here...

IMO, a potential DM needs to give his players some whiff of what his idea is BEFORE he puts hours and hours of time into creating it. Why should a DM want to knock himself out when his players aren't interested?

Now, I'm not saying that massive amounts of details should be provided upfront. That ruins all the fun. But if the DM (for example) has an idea for a low-magic world and the group wants a high-magic world, he will probably lose his audience pretty darn quickly. Sure, there are players out there who are flexible or don't care and just want to play. But most players I've run across have a pretty good idea what it is they want, and they get glassy-eyed quick is the DM gives them something else. I've unintentionally done this exact thing as a DM, and I quickly changed the course of the game.

As a DM, I get my enjoyment when the group gets into what I provide to them as a foundation for fun. I'm the director. I plan out what the "script" is (the world, the monsters, the style of game, etc). It is their job to take this groundwork and make the game their own, thus making the gaming time fun for all.

If they don't like the "script", they won't enjoy the game. To make it very likely they'll enjoy the script, ask them what they would basically like it to be.

I agree you should run a game your players want to play in,

ok.... so why the questioning stance? Seems to me we agree.

but if they do not want to play what you do - get a new set of players.

Yikes. I must play in a completely different setting than you do. I game with my friends. I WANT them to have fun, and I WANT to have fun with THEM. Since I care about them, I'd much prefer to give them a game they will enjoy.

The DM is the engine that keeps the game running - players generally bring very little to the game.

Maybe in prep time, this is true. But if the players don't contribute DURING the game, it is just the DM telling a story.

If that is what players want, then more power to them. But IMHO, it is much more fun to have everyone be a part of a great experience gaming by having everyone contribute.

... an XP penalty for Monte Python quotes.

I'll give you credit when I spring this on my group. They may never get past 1st level...

I want to have a RPG gaming experience where people are a little more invested in their characters.

As do I. Having them be a part of the process from the beginning is an almost sure way to make this happen.

 

[Zandy]

So rather than say that the GM has a duty to run the game the character-players want, I would say that all that players have to agree to play a game that they will all enjoy, and that they all have a responsibility to keep the game within mutually enjoyable grounds.

OK

I like how you said it better... Thanks.

 

[Whimsical]

What would I do? I would RUN WITH IT!! That sounds so cool! Can I play? I'll play Princess Lea. No real good D&D class analog for her so I'll have her be a spellcaster.

First of all, you have players who are excited to play this. I always want that.

Then I would find ways to incorporate Star Wars themes, styles, and analogs into this new D&D game.

Cinematic? Hell yeah.

Humans, aliens, & robot PCs => Humans, the more fantastic non-tolkien fanatasy races, and warforged.

Travel to several planets during a single adventure => Travel to several highly distinctive cities and regions during a single adventure. Planar travel at higher levels.

Technologically infused societies => Magically infused societies.

Asskicking intergalactic force-using police force with cool weapon? Psionic Warriors have just now upgraded their role and purpose in my fantasy game. And they get a cool weapon of my invention as a badge of office.

The Force? Several flavors to choose from.

Evil empire? Check.

Group of ragtags fighting it? Check.

Players who have recaptured that wonder of playing an RPG since their mindblowing first experience with them? Priceless!

What's not to love?

For the naysayers, you do realize that there are more than one way to play D&D, right? And if everyone is having fun, then you are playing it the right way.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Asskicking intergalactic force-using police force with cool weapon? Psionic Warriors have just now upgraded their role and purpose in my fantasy game. And they get a cool weapon of my invention as a badge of office.

Make them Gestalt Psion/Soulknives, or something.

-Hyp.