Players as co-GMs

[Lwaxy]

Does anyone else allow players to take over scenes at times, or to describe a situation? If so, how do you handle timing?

I usually use a color code on the table indicating if it is ok to throw in a description, a scene or maybe even some small side quest.

I do this regularly with several groups and it usually works well.

 

[Morrus]

I haven't done it in years, but I used to have a player who enjoyed being NPCs. It worked really well.

 

[Umbran]

In some games (like Spirit of the Century), such stuff is somewhat expected. The player can add minor details, and spending a Fate point, they can add more substantive specifics. With a skill roll, they can also change or add to the aspects of a scene. But that's not the player taking off with the scene entirely.

I have often handed off large sections of campaign information to a player. If you're the only one playing a dwarf, in all likelihood the details of dwarven culture can be in your hands, if you want them. But, the specifics of the campaign are still the GMs.

I haven't frequently taken an entire scene and handed it to players, except when that scene focuses on character interaction, rather than tactical matters. If the real point is two people talking - describe it as you wish, I say!

 

[joemarsh]

I keep reading about this, but I've never been a big fan of the idea. At least in my games, the players don't know the GM secrets, so I'm not sure how they could possibly run the scenes. I would let them run other player's characters if that player is out, or run familiars and animal companions, but for the most part I think its best to leave the GM work to the GM.

 

[joemarsh]

I haven't done it in years, but I used to have a player who enjoyed being NPCs. It worked really well.

Yes I find them playing NPCs can work if done properly. The GM still may want to play the NPC out of combat though.

 

[Lwaxy]

They can run scenes independent from the main story (unless it's the co-GM I usually have, then it may take interesting turns).

Usually it happens during down times, or while waiting for instructions etc. Can be a simple as a thief chase on the market, can turn out to be as complicated as clearing a local friend off some suspicion.

 

[the Jester]

Not when I'm running my campaign, no.

There are far, far, far too many factors my players don't know about most of the time.

 

[Gilladian]

There are games, like DungeonWorld, which are predicated on building from the players' responses, giving them narrative responsibility, etc... and it works, if everyone is on that page. In a more traditional campaign, such as DnD, I prefer to keep the DM job and the player job separate.