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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Campbell" data-source="post: 8086661" data-attributes="member: 16586">Here's a pretty lengthy <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNzpg-qdZ0g" target="_blank">Let's Play of Blades in the Dark</a> run by Jon Harper, the game's designer..[MEDIA=youtube]QNzpg-qdZ0g[/MEDIA]While they can absolutely be useful there are some limits to Let's Plays in terms of seeing techniques in motion. What we see coming from the GM in any roleplaying game are framing scenes (simply describing the initial state of things), descriptions of the environment, portraying NPCs,, some rules talk, and adjudicating consequences for main character actions. Likewise regardless we see action declarations, character portrayal, and some rules talk from players. What we do not see are the processes of play. This is where play techniques live and breathe.What are the expectations for play?When players encounter something in the fiction what is guiding their choices?How do players and GMs prepare for play?What principles does a GM use when exercising their judgment as to what should happen in the fiction?Play is often instinctual and dependent on unspoken social reward systems. The experience of play is also radically different from the output of play. Just like any other creative endeavor the creation of the thing and how it was made has unique value to the creators. The hidden nature of process is a big part of why I do try to do regular check ins with the people I play with and why discipline is so crucial to me on both sides of the screen.That Monsterhearts quote is top of mind to me whenever I play a roleplaying game (from both sides of the screen) because playing to find out what happens can be like really hard sometimes. Trying to nudge things this way or that way can be real seductive, but in doing so I feel something is lost. It's so easy to become attached to things and not really collaborate with each other.TLDR Let's Plays are useful, but the only way to really see different techniques in motion is to try them with a real commitment to like following through and embracing the mentality behind them. I think it's a lot of fun. You might too. You might also hate it.</blockquote>

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