My Players Kicked Me Out of the Room

[the Jester]

Just got done running my epic game tonight, and there was a big debate amongst the party as to how to handle their current problems... they kicked me out of the room to have a secret conference!

I'm so proud of them. It's the first time that has ever happened in decades of gaming with some of these folks.

 

[Stone Dog]

You are a real glass is half full kind of guy aren't you? That sounds more like "We can't trust you not to screw us over, so go where you can't hear us" to me, but then I don't know your people or your style, so I could easily be wrong.

 

[Cergorach]

You are a real glass is half full kind of guy aren't you? That sounds more like "We can't trust you not to screw us over, so go where you can't hear us" to me, but then I don't know your people or your style, so I could easily be wrong.

The question is... Are the right? ;-)

 

[Creamsteak]

I'd consider that a good thing too. When I leave (whether it's for 30 seconds or 30 minutes), the only conversation that goes on while I'm gone tends to be about something other than the game (and once or twice with the longer waits, it turns to what's on TV).

 

[Jonny Nexus]

You are a real glass is half full kind of guy aren't you? That sounds more like "We can't trust you not to screw us over, so go where you can't hear us" to me, but then I don't know your people or your style, so I could easily be wrong.

I don't know. As a player, whilst I trust myself to not act upon player information, if possible, I'd rather not know it in the first place - because the game is more fun that way. Knowing too much player information can feel like you're reading a book you've already read whilst pretending you don't know how it will end.

Equally, their planning against the bad guys might be more fun all around if they know the GM doesn't know what those plans are; that way they can engage in a fun battle of wits, and see who can outwit the other.

So my guess as to why the GM is so happy about this is that it's the first time they've cared enough to come up with a real, honest-to-goodness plan - as opposed to just blundering in and relying on charisma rolls.

 

[diaglo]

I don't know. As a player, whilst I trust myself to not act upon player information, if possible, I'd rather not know it in the first place - because the game is more fun that way. Knowing too much player information can feel like you're reading a book you've already read whilst pretending you don't know how it will end.

Equally, their planning against the bad guys might be more fun all around if they know the GM doesn't know what those plans are; that way they can engage in a fun battle of wits, and see who can outwit the other.

So my guess as to why the GM is so happy about this is that it's the first time they've cared enough to come up with a real, honest-to-goodness plan - as opposed to just blundering in and relying on charisma rolls.

ditto.


we have a website for the OD&D campaign i referee. i trust my players to only give me the bits and pieces of information they are planning to use in play when they need a ruling from me. otherwise, most of the conversations Out of game that are In character just happen during times when there is a lull in the action. the parts i get to see are filler for names of places. events in the calendar. names of NPCs. and would my character know X. it is some really good stuff.

i also award xps based on good planning, tactics, rumor/information gathering, and such.

 

[Piratecat]

You are a real glass is half full kind of guy aren't you? That sounds more like "We can't trust you not to screw us over, so go where you can't hear us" to me, but then I don't know your people or your style, so I could easily be wrong.

Wow, you're harsh. My players kick me out of the room all the time, and we have a very trusting relationship. They just like to see the look on my face when their secret plan catches me totally unawares. That's part of their fun, and I encourage it.

 

[Old One]

Wow, you're harsh. My players kick me out of the room all the time, and we have a very trusting relationship. They just like to see the look on my face when their secret plan catches me totally unawares. That's part of their fun, and I encourage it.

Agreed. IMC the players set up a "top secret" YahooGroups away from our regular campaign board to be able to plot against my RBDMness...sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't!

~ OO

 

[reanjr]

My players have done this before. Unfortunately, they are absolutely horrible at planning. The ultimate effect is that they get more trounced when they kick me out. If they let me hear the plan, I will create holes in the villains defenses to accomodate. If I don't know where to make holes, the plan usually fails utterly.

 

[Piratecat]

That's really funny, reanjr. Unfortunate, but funny. That's how you learn, right?

My players are all really good at planning. They have good tactics and inventive strategies; it usually leaves me scrambling to catch up.