Puns, Bad Jokes, and Other Disruptions to the Illusion of Reality

[darkelfo]

DnD is a game. It's supposed to be fun. It's not a military excersise in discipline. No one does it because they have to. At its core, it's really about friends getting together, hanging out and imagining a fun fantasy world.

Despite this, I feel a certain amount of guilt about how annoyed I get at the constant asides, puns and other distractions from the game that occur around the gaming table. It really detracts from the immersive, imaginative world that DnD potentially could be. I really like the guys in my gaming group, but sometimes the puns, bad jokes and other distractions really get to me.

I wish we could just focus on the game a bit more, but I certainly don't want to foul the mood by asking for less jokes and/or other possible solutions. In our last game, for example, we were in a fight and it was going badly. Suddenly, an inspiring baritone voice came across through the woods and lifted our spirits (gave us combat conuses). Instantly, the table disended into bad songs and other asides. What could have been a saving grace sung by a mysterious bard, was lost in the muddle and reduced to a "+1 attack bonus."

Despite the lament of this post, it's really more of a desire for something cool -- a focused fun time -- than a complaint about something bad. Any ideas on this topic generally? How do you strike a balance in your games?

 

[Crothian]

For me it depends on the gamer. A typical D&D game a few funny comments and jokes is fine. THe game is serious but not too serious and the mood is not as important as say Call of Chuthulu. In that game, jokes and puns destroy the mood and make the game something other then what it is. THen there are games like Toon that the jokes are expected.

My point is that different games and different groups have a different threshold for these typeos of activities.

 

[Wormwood]

While I agree with Crothian, I've noticed that as I get older, I place more importance in hanging out with my friends than in 'playing the game'.

 

[darkelfo]

I want to re-iterate this point:

Despite the lament of this post, it's really more of a desire for something cool -- a focused fun time -- than a complaint about something bad.

 

[Crothian]

To get rid of it or atleast reduce it you have to talk to the players as a group. Some people think that jokes are okay and might not realize it bothers you. I have never had any problems talking to people about toning down the in game jokes and puns.

 

[twofalls]

I'm not sure how to help you here. I played with a friend (a fellow I really respect and like) who's game style just rubs me the wrong way. It was just a personality conflict. I really wanted to enjoy gaming with him, but constatnt quips, jokes, and ruining the mood I was trying to created drove me nuts. Eventually I changed the game to a genre he didn't enjoy and he left the table. After a while we picked the game back up. This wasn't done specifically to get rid of that player, it just kinda happened that way, but it worked out for the best. Not very helpful advice I realize, I just want you to know that I feel your pain.

 

[gamecat]

The games my group and I play seem to be an endless series of bad puns and star wars quotes. grgh.

 

[Faraer]

There's quick light fun and longer-term deep fun. I prefer to get my quick light fun in other ways, and it does work to make sure you meet your players in non-game contexts too and get it out of your systems. Apart from that, it's a matter of working together and encouraging self-discipline (not blurting out the first thing that comes into your head), which is a big subject. And some people make light of everything because they're embarrassed by anything like real feeling. But always talk, outside the game.

 

[DaveMage]

While I agree with Crothian, I've noticed that as I get older, I place more importance in hanging out with my friends than in 'playing the game'.

Ditto.

However, as always, I recommend talking to your group and letting them know you'd like to try toning down the jokes for a session - see how it works.

 

[darkelfo]

I guess it's a question of degrees. Sometimes I really appreciate the joking 'cause we really get to laughing and that's always awesome.

On the other hand, we typically only have three hours or so to play since we're all adults with lives and families. Scheduling is a game can be difficult. Seems like such a waste when we finally sit down to play and the game play is interrupted by quips, puns, asides and monty python references (which deserve their own catoegory).

One thing that's cool is that we also organize hang out sessions in additon to the games. That let's us be social and just kick it, which I am ALL for; makes the game go better and it's just cool. When game time comes, though, a little more focus could be very rewarding, not to mention respectful of the GM's efforts to create mode, intrigue, and story lines.