The Good Sandbox Thread [+]

[Thomas Shey]

Can you please keep these conversations to the other threads. We are getting in the weeds again on style debates. If you have sandboxes, I want you to feel free to post about them (whatever the methods or styles) and others too. We don't have to argue about what a sandbox is, how to achieve it, what does sandbox better or worse here

Apologies. Would you like me to delete my above post? I do try to respect plus threads. In all likelyhood I didn't realize which thread this was when I responded to Pemerton either time myself.

 

[Bedrockgames]

Apologies. Would you like me to delete my above post? I do try to respect plus threads.

No worries. It is probably just confusing if we delete these things. My aim isn't to call anyone out (I fully understand how one person responds, a person sees that and feels the need to respond). And the same goes for @pemerton. I just folks to try to keep it positive and see if we can have a different kind of discussion around sandbox

 

[Thomas Shey]

No worries. It is probably just confusing if we delete these things. My aim isn't to call anyone out (I fully understand how one person responds, a person sees that and feels the need to respond). And the same goes for @pemerton. I just folks to try to keep it positive and see if we can have a different kind of discussion around sandbox

Its also partly an artifact of having two threads with overlapping but different topics active at the same time. I've seen people make claims about what someone said in a thread that turned out to be from a different thread (I won't even swear I've never done it myself). Conflation can be the bane of online conversation.

 

[payn]

So, last night I dropped the first news bulletin on my PoD players. I make these up as the game goes along. They contain info about happenings around the Trojan Reach. Often strife and conflicts, pirate sightings, and sometimes just random events. Sometimes, they are red herrings, most of the time they lead to adventures. If left alone, they resolve or escalate one way or another. Sample below;

BORDERLAND NEWS FEED INCOMING

Hot off the success of his holographic holiday album, Interstellar rock star Eddie Emerald Extragalactic plans to release a political protest album. Reports suggest that 3E plans to highlight the struggles acorss the Trojan Reach that are repeatedly ignored by the Imperium, Hierate, and Megacorporations. Songs for unsung heroes such as those in the Dustbelt fighting against the Tyrants of Tyr, terrorized citizens of the Raiders of Oghma, and numerous others hotbed issues. Check back for a release date soon.



Labor disputes continue in the Acrid system. The citizens accuse megacorp PRQ of bad faith negotiating contracts for working conditions and citizenship. PRQ reps did not respond immediately, but did eventually provide a press release. In said release, "PRQ continues to value the working conditions and citizenship of all those under contracts. The Acrid system present unique challenges that are costly and drive down profit margins. Trying to find a blance between making Acrid a successful economy, and a great place to live for its citizens, is a top prioirty for PRQ"



Rumors indicate that separtist group "The People's League" has been actively broadcasting out of the Arunisiir system. Broadcasts indicate unrest among the population and vote of no confidence in the current leadership regime. The Aslan Leadership clan reports that. "this is a minor faction of disgruntled citizens and that Arunisiir remains a perfect melting pot of Sophont and Aslan colonization. The system and prime planet are safe and open for trade business"



ADVISORY WATCH LIST

Ship captains are advised to be on the look out for a 100 ton trader accompanied by a 400 ton salvage boat for acts of priacy in Pandora and Lilgan systems. Trade ship victims report that the ships blanked their transponders right before attack. Pirates were stern, but not violent once terms were agreed upon for surrender of cargo. Ship captains are advised to observe and report and not engage without an armed escort present.

 

[Theory of Games]

So what about red herrings? For the GMs who've used them, any tips? How have you handled getting a group/party "back on track" with the greater quest/mission if they were chasing a ghost chicken?

I ask because I use rumors a lot for sandboxes.

 

[payn]

So what about red herrings? For the GMs who've used them, any tips? How have you handled getting a group/party "back on track" with the greater quest/mission if they were chasing a ghost chicken?

I ask because I use rumors a lot for sandboxes.

I think the trick isnt to make it an absolute red herring. By that I mean as long as there is an adventure attached, its fun to explore! There might not be a lost gold mine, but if cool stuff happens along the way, its still fun to explore. Trick is to give it a definitive ending. The players know there is no gold mine, not that they just havent found it yet.

 

[Theory of Games]

I think the trick isnt to make it an absolute red herring. By that I mean as long as there is an adventure attached, its fun to explore! There might not be a lost gold mine, but if cool stuff happens along the way, its still fun to explore. Trick is to give it a definitive ending. The players know there is no gold mine, not that they just havent found it yet.

That's good stuff - thanks! Also, how many sessions would you typically go until you reached that "definite ending"? Just looking for your experiences here

 

[payn]

That's good stuff - thanks! Also, how many sessions would you typically go until you reached that "definite ending"? Just looking for your experiences here

If its really of no importance, id try and move it along in a single session. The other trick is to not make the rabbit hole too deep.

Spoiler: PoD

I have some rumors about lost caches of high value supplies around the Reach. One of them is about a "bug out bunker" full of high value stuff a general stashed but never got to when the empire fell apart. Turns out its just an old rusty bunker that pirates found. They spread the rumors hoping to lure in prey with a torpedo trap. Travellers follow up on it, either spot the trap and disable it, or get shot down by the trap and have to land to fix their ship. Pirates come along and Travellers kick their ass.
[/spoilers]

 

[Theory of Games]

If its really of no importance, id try and move it along in a single session. The other trick is to not make the rabbit hole too deep.

Spoiler: PoD

I have some rumors about lost caches of high value supplies around the Reach. One of them is about a "bug out bunker" full of high value stuff a general stashed but never got to when the empire fell apart. Turns out its just an old rusty bunker that pirates found. They spread the rumors hoping to lure in prey with a torpedo trap. Travellers follow up on it, either spot the trap and disable it, or get shot down by the trap and have to land to fix their ship. Pirates come along and Travellers kick their ass.
[/spoilers]

Very nice! Thanks