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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Oofta" data-source="post: 9372660" data-attributes="member: 6801845">I think there's a very fuzzy line between a linear campaign and a true railroad.  So my definition of one versus the other may differ a bit.To me a linear campaign has a set number of events and obstacles that can potentially be approached or bypassed, but must in some way be overcome.  There is a specific predetermined goal but details on how you get there is up to the party.  A true railroad dictates how you overcome those events and obstacles.I try to run a game that's a linear sandbox in that I don't know exactly where the game is headed and people are absolutely allowed to go left instead of right or thwart an opponents plans through clever play.  But there's always a clear direction to go, clear goals for the party to achieve because that's what my players ask for.Which is to say that there is a broad spectrum of styles of play and there's even quite a bit of variance in what people would consider a railroad.  Modules are almost always linear and if someone is running a module I know what I'm signing up for.  It's just about the only thing people are willing to run so when I do get to play I just accept that it's what I'm going to be doing and go with the flow.In the same way, convention and game day modules are more on the railroad side of the linear spectrum.  But I still enjoy them because I enjoy seeing different DM styles, meeting and playing with new people, getting new perspectives.  I get to just sit back, likely talk in a funny accent with a character that is writ large in broad easily recognized brushstrokes.  I don't have to worry too much about analyzing motives or deep moral dilemmas (which are far too often badly handled "force the PCs to choose between two equally evil options" anyway).  I can just sit back, have fun, make bad jokes and roll dice. Sometimes it's kind of nice just to shut off your brain and enjoy playing.</blockquote>

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