The cinematic opening

[Krug]

I've tried using a cinematic style opening with the players for my koboldquest PbP campaign, as in plunge them straight into the action and have a fight after one or two moves just like in movies these days, rather than a long introduction and setting up the scene. Any other DMs tried it? How has it worked?

 

[green slime]

Yes. It worked well. Saves all the "who are you?" "what are we going to do?" "Why should I do this?" angst that players can get.

Once they are seated, just set up the scene and have them roll initiative.

 

[shilsen]

I started my Eberron campaign with "Roll initiative" and the PCs kicking in a door after a bunch of enemies. Caught my players off-guard, since they were expecting some sort of a long preamble, but they thoroughly enjoyed it and it really captured the cinematic feeling of the setting and (at least so I hope) the campaign.

 

[philreed]

PDF idea: "A Dozen Cinematic Openings."

I haven't done this sort of opening since the days of running WEG's Star Wars RPG. I really need to dig through the old notes someday -- who knows how many great ideas are buried in old scraps of paper.

Thanks for mentioning this idea!

 

[The_Gneech]

I used to open most of my adventure sessions like that in my old Star Wars campaign ... characters were always falling out of windows, diving for cover as somebody tossed a thermal detonator at them, being chased through an asteroid field by fifteen TIE fighters, it was fun. I was dubbed "Master of the Oh Introduction."

-The Gneech

 

[Desdichado]

Yeah, I've done that a fair amount. My current campaign actually started off with some "disposible" pregens that I gave them, who were immediately involved in a really nasty fight that killed them all. Then when the actual PCs were introduced, all I told them was that they were all passengers on a ship.

Which was immediately attacked by pirates.

It's probably a good thing I started out that way; the next three or four sessions all turned into a fairly long (longer than I thought it would last, anyway) investigation, where the only combat was fairly gratuitous ("as you're walking down the street -- you are attacked by muggers!")

 

[Ibram]

I very much enjoy this style of starting a campaing, its a good way to grab the players attention.

 

[mmadsen]

In Medias Res

Call me old fashioned, but starting off in the middle of things goes way, way back to a time before movies. And written language. Homer's Iliad starts off in medias res.

Certainly the classic adventure pulp stories started this way. Lester Dent's first suggestion for the opening section of a (four-part) story:

First line, or as near thereto as possible, introduce the hero and swat him with a fistful of trouble. Hint at a mystery, a menace or a problem to be solved--something the hero has to cope with.​

 

[The_Universe]

d6 Star Wars really encouraged you to start the game In Media Res - it's especially great if you're running a one-shot.

 

[Krug]

Call me old fashioned, but starting off in the middle of things goes way, way back to a time before movies. And written language. Homer's Iliad starts off in medias res.

Certainly the classic adventure pulp stories started this way. Lester Dent's first suggestion for the opening section of a (four-part) story:

First line, or as near thereto as possible, introduce the hero and swat him with a fistful of trouble. Hint at a mystery, a menace or a problem to be solved--something the hero has to cope with.​

Great advice Madsen!