"Previously on..." - Recapping the previous session

[greatamericanfolkher]

I’ll usually start a session with “When we last left our intrepid adventurers...” followed by a brief description of what happened last session. It gets me in the mood to play and the players get time to get everything they need ready.

 

[MadMaxim]

I usually spend a couple of minutes telling the players what they were up to last session and where they were heading. Sometimes the players recap but it's usually me. It also helps me remember what they were doing exactly

 

[Bagpuss]

I recap, I try to keep it short, not the whole of the last session, but why they are where they are, what there current objectives where, etc.

I keep a log at http://www.obsidianportal.com/ that not only covers the last session but loads of other information they might want to check between sessions.

 

[Ulrick]

1. I tell the players its time to start and say, "Previously on the Age of Worms Campaign" (or insert campagn name there)

2. I play the "Prologue" on Battlestar Galactica Season 1 Soundtrack

3. While the soundtrack is playing, each player states a memorable quote or action their character said of did in the previous session.

I suggest everybody should try it. It really gets people into the mood.

 

[roguerouge]

I do it in my single PC campaign, and it's very teachery: "Who can tell me what happened last time on the Chronicles of Dior?" It actually helps me remember plot details. More importantly, it tells me what was important to her.

 

[Mr. Beef]

For the GMs out there, do you recap your previous session when you begin a new session of an ongoing campaign?

I'm not a GM, but in one of the games I used to play we always had a player go over what happened last time in the game. The game was only once a month and we always had new players come in so it gave them a good start to the game.

How long do you spend recapping if you do?

We tried to keep it to about two minutes.

Do you do the recap yourself or have the players do it?

See my answer to the first question.

 

[Oryan77]

We play every other week and I usually give a quick recap. Sometimes the player jump in and collaborate with each other and do their own recap.

It's awesome when they do that and I get to just sit back and listen. It shows that they must actually be into the campaign! Little things like that make it worth DM'ing.

 

[MarauderX]

I do a write-up of what happened last time on our wiki site so those that missed it can read a detailed account and so that we can recall what had happened.

During game time I do a little summary to get things going and ask for the party's direction. Often others jump in with important points and do additional write-ups for some bonus XP.

 

[Michael Silverbane]

I email a session recap to my players between sessions.

Later
silver

 

[Mean Eyed Cat]

I type up a simple one page outline on my laptop that I call "Opening Remarks." Using this as a reference, I give a quick spiel (5 minutes tops) before our game starts. These usually involve any number of topics such as rules clarifications, interesting game industry news, and/or a brief recap from the last game.