How to get players more involved in the game

[Xar]

My D&D campaign is going downhill since last couple of weeks. Players aren't showing up on sessions, and if they do they don't seem to be paying any attention. There are just sitting silently on the couch, drooling, eyes filled with emptiness. I checked their pulse, but they were still alive so that couldn't be the problem. I don't know if it is my adventure that sucked, or the players are just too tired or simply not motivated enough to play, but I figured out that it can't go on like this any longer.

So I was wondering if there were any cool DM tricks to get your players more involved in the game (aside of giving 'em money). Some way to hold their attention, at least 'till the end of the session. To get 'em addicted, so they can't live without the weekly gaming...

Some ideas I came up with:

-Cliffhangers
I figured that if the session ends with a cliffhanger chances are bigger they show up for next session. If you don't have a cliffhanger planned, make some insignificant detail seem to be suddenly very important...

-Colorfull descriptions of the players' actions
I think that giving colorfull descriptions of the players could be a nice way to let them feel more important (and thus enjoying the game more), haven't tried this out yet, thought.

-Let the PC's seem to be powerfull
I don't know if this works, but I think it's a great way to indirectly flatter your players. Could have some ugly side effects if used to often, I guess. Anybody tried to do this before?

-Give them the opportunity to role-play
Let NPC's talk to them, or put them into situations were they have to talk their way out. Should keep 'em on their toes...

Hmm, all I could come up with right now. But perhaps you guys have some nice ideas?

 

[Teflon Billy]

If you are all of age, I say have a few drinks before playing. It loosens people up and gets that "creative flow" going.

 

[TheDayKnight]

Campaign secrets are the key to keeping interest in the campaign I run...

For example, people throughout the Westlands have been losing their shadows. They have a horrible dream and then wake up with an icy pain in their chest and no shadow. The PCs were mildly wierded out by this, and kept discussing what it could be at every session.

Now to heighten the impact of the loss of shadows, I have had it happen to the fighter of the group. Now there is a vested interest in finding out exactly what is causing the loss of shadows.

Finally, to keep the world moving regardless of the PCs I have had those NPCs that have lost their shadows begin gathering together in the PCs main city of operations. They call themselves the Shadow-sundered and are researching ways to heal themselves.

This type of mystery (DM secret) and campaign interaction has kept my players on edge for several months now.

 

[King_Stannis]

i know you mentioned about your players sitting on a couch...that actually could be part of the problem there. maybe they are getting too relaxed and sort of "zoning" out.

aside from that, try starting the evening in the middle of a fight. do something to throw your players for a loop. you need only tell them: "look, here are the circumstances - [player A] unintentionally insulted this tavern patron [or store owner, etc]. the patron took it personally, drew his blade, lined up some friends, and here you are....". don't make it deadly, but make it have repurcussions throughout the night.

also, give them a mystery to toy with - even if you have no idea where it will lead yourself. perhaps one of the PC's has a vision of an undersea treasure appear in his wine glass as he is about to take a sip. maybe another PC has a constant vision of death. maybe the group comes across a painting of village life/landscape...only to have the PC's themselves appear inexplicably in the painting at some future date.

tantalize them with mystery and grap their attention early with some immediate dice rolling.

and stay off the couch!

hope it works out.

 

[Psychotic Jim]

I second the mystery idea. Maybe you also might try having a plot centered around the characters, instead of the usual tactic Dms use in having the characters face some menace the heroes are totally unconnected to. Maybe you could have some shadowy type of evil organization chasing them for some reason. Maybe take the adventure to them instead of taking them to the adventure. The players might feel that they are not involved in the way the campaign is progressing.

Maybe having a unique prelude to a campaign for each character in it might help the players get attatched to their characters too.

 

[hong]

More slutty goth chicks.


Hong "channeling Wulf Ratbane" Ooi

 

[EOL]

You can always try the direct approach and ask them what the deal is. All of the ideas above are great, but for a severe chronic situation like this they ought to be able to tell you what the deal is.

 

[Xar]

More slutty goth chicks.

We allready have those...

 

[Henry]

Hire a Naked Pole dancer to stand behind you and do their routine as you play. I guarantee their eyes won't leave your direction. And even if the game fails, you still have money for game supplements being shoved at you...

 

[kenjib]

There are just sitting silently on the couch, drooling, eyes filled with emptiness. I checked their pulse, but they were still alive so that couldn't be the problem.

Is anyone in your gaming group Haitian or ever visited Haiti? Be afraid.

My advice? Don't worry about improving your game. You've got more pressing issues. Kill the zombi cultists first, then you can worry about improving your game. You might not even need to once you've killed the zombi cultists.