Google Poll - interested in feedback

[Eyes of Nine]

Hey all -

I've got a poll I'm thinking of running past my players. I've been feeling that the game we are playing isn't quite matching up to what would really be awesome for them. Like my game is pretty fighty; but I think they would love nothing more than spending the entire session shopping, going to bars, more shopping, eating, negotiating for their room at the inn, etc etc.

In addition, I think they really like me having a mystery in my head and them figuring it out. But I can't be sure without asking them. (also - shhhh, don't tell them - I am making it up session by session; and hope I don't blow it by contradicting something I said 4 sessions ago!)

Moreover, I'm looking to have them contribute more to the details of the world; and maybe even some story elements (like maybe the BBE's lieutenant is someone a PC knows). But I don't know if any of them are into that - or if they just want to receive what I have created.

Finally, we're playing in Turmish and around the Sea of Fallen Stars (but otherwise not related to any historical canon of FR) - but I'm not even sure if that genre is what my players like!

In other words, I want to know more about what THEY want, and then match that to some of the things I want - then we're all happy.

Anyway - I'm looking for feedback on this survey. In particular the "Play-Styles" section, as I just came up with it tonight. But also in the other sections - any questions I'm missing? And feel free to throw in any format suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

RPG Preferences

In your Role-Playing Games, as a PLAYER, how much do you like...

forms.gle

 

[The Green Hermit]

This seems really long. I would stick to the first two questions and the last two questions. Then, after the survey, maybe hold a group discussion about the rest -- some of which can be cut out, because of obvious lack of interest based upon the other questions.

 

[Fenris-77]

The stuff you're worried about is basic session zero pitch stuff. Have you considered a restart? They can even keep their characters, just go back to session 0 and revisit the pitch. If they want something different do it, and maybe let them jigger their characters to match.

 

[R_J_K75]

This survey is way too long, simpler is better in a case like this IMO. What do you like/dislike about the game? What do you want to see more/less of? What suggestions do you have to improve the game? A few short questions will probably get you the answers you need. Youre never going to please everyone in the group all the time so I would suggest just mixing it up from session to session. If the last session was combat heavy make the next one more focused on social interaction, the one after wilderness exploration, etc. Variety is better than solely concentrating on one aspect of the game from my experience. If I were playing or DMing in a game that was fixated on one particular thing I would get bored real quick.

 

[ccs]

How is it that you don't know what your group likes? Do you not talk to them/listen to them/pay attention to what they're saying/doing during play?

 

[Eyes of Nine]

This was all very good (albeit unexpected) feedback.

I guess maybe it's my dissatisfaction with the game. The players won't actually tell me whether they like what we're doing. They seem to have fun, and they keep coming back... Maybe I can just lean into what they seem to enjoy. Also, different folks like different stuff - I was hoping to tease that out.

At the end of the day, this survey was probably more a good exercise for me to understand what I like, and then see if the rest of the players want to go along for the ride...

 

[R_J_K75]

The players won't actually tell me whether they like what we're doing. They seem to have fun, and they keep coming back

I've found this mostly to be true. Players who are strictly players and don't DM generally don't say anything either way. If a player doesn't like the game they tend to jump ship and just stop showing up. Though this is rare. More than likely players stick out a bad campaign or series of adventures with the understanding that it might just take a while for the DM to find their footing. After realizing there is a potential problem with the game I'm sure you'll figure out a way to get it back on track. Sometimes as a DM you just write/run a crappy adventure, I sure know I have, not every one is great no matter how good it looks on paper.

 

[Ath'kethin]

I try to conclude every session with a "how does everyone feel about it?" discussion. If we can't do that, we try to start the following session with it. I ask my players what they liked and disliked about the session, and while normally it's a pretty tame discussion, on occasion they drop some great ideas that I can run with.

Something similar might work for you, and might be less pressuring than a survey. Especially if it's a regular discussion, that approach might make it easier to get them to open up.