Explaining the Game

[Belen]

There have been lots of threads about how you explain the game, but how do you go about doing it to someone that has nothing to compare it with or to?

Here is how I do it:

Novel Approach: Picture the writer of a novel. The writer develops an plot, story, or situation. However, the characters are developed by those who play the game. The writer is influenced by the characters while the characters are influenced by their environment and the events that occur within. Chance is added in that some events are made unpredictable according to the roll of the dice or how someone may react to a given situation.

 

[werk]

I usually explain it as (kinda like) a 'choose your adventure' book with multiple readers or simply as a board game if that fails.

I've never really had much trouble, but most people either know what I'm talking about or don't care to understand completely.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

That may not be the best idea especially if he's the naughty schoolgirl.

Yeah, don't open that door, you might not prepared for what comes charging out...


Anyway, I just want to say that I have the deepest respect for everyone who attempts to explain roleplaying to an outsider. And the deepest adoration for everyone who succeeds.

 

[Henry]

That may not be the best idea especially if he's the naughty schoolgirl.

Worse... she might want to know HOW you know that HER husband plays "Naughty Schoolgirl." Best to leave it to the adventure novels and detective stories, etc.

 

[mmadsen]

There are two separate elements to explain: (1) the nature of a roleplaying game, and (2) the genre of your favorite game: D&D-style fantasy.

Naturally, describing D&D-style fantasy as a mix of Tolkien's Middle Earth and Howard's Hyboria isn't going to work for an audience with no experience with the Lord of the Rings or Conan, but I can't imagine anyone in our society who hasn't heard of King Arthur and of brave knights saving damsels in distress from evil knights, evil wizards, ogres/giants, and dragons, and Tolkien-esque fantasy derives pretty directly from such medieval romances.

Describing a roleplaying game isn't too hard. One player, a sort of referee, makes up an interesting scenario, a what-if situation, and the other players describe what they do in that situation -- only they're typically playing the roles of brave knights and powerful wizards in a fantasy game, or superspies in an espionage game, or superheroes in a comicbook game, etc.

 

[Andre]

She had never seen or read LotR (or any other fantasy for that matter - cartoon, live action, nothing!), she's never played a computer game, and (for the most part) only reads political journals.

If she's ever played How to Host a Murder, she should be able to relate. In fact, the Host games are a great way to introduce novices to roleplaying, while avoiding all the baggage that comes with D&D (it's evil, it's only for nerds, it's for kids, it's for nerdy kids...)

 

[Arashi Ravenblade]

Ive never had to explain what roleplaying was to anyone except relatives who will walk in on the game and ask whos winning, thats annoying especially if its the same relative who keeps asking.