What is "railroading" to you (as a player)?

[GrimCo]

While i get that some people don't like railroading as DM method, i would like to hear opinions on following scenario.

You have open world, game starts, you throw in some potential quest hooks and you ask players: "Ok, what do you do?" And for the next 30-40 minutes, they spend trying to figure it out what do they wanna do, do they take quest hook, do they do something else. In essence, you give them complete control over what to do and they do - nothing.

So, in case of group's analysis paralysis, is it ok to use railroading methods to get game going and not waste precious session time?

 

[Kromanjon]

While i get that some people don't like railroading as DM method, i would like to hear opinions on following scenario.

You have open world, game starts, you throw in some potential quest hooks and you ask players: "Ok, what do you do?" And for the next 30-40 minutes, they spend trying to figure it out what do they wanna do, do they take quest hook, do they do something else. In essence, you give them complete control over what to do and they do - nothing.

So, in case of group's analysis paralysis, is it ok to use railroading methods to get game going and not waste precious session time?

I would like to spout the old adage of, "if it's time you enjoy wasting, it's not wasted time". Let the players waste all the time they want as long as they keep control of their own characters. If they at some point want to go adventuring they'll get to it when they get to it.

 

[Kromanjon]

As for the OP question. Railroading to me (as a player) is when I see the rails. You could illusion me all you want as long as you're good at it. But if I catch you, I won't be happy about it.

 

[Hriston]

That may be, but for someone who thinks the stats should be payed attention to in both cases, they're liable to do something.

You mean like calling for an Intelligence check to see if it was a good idea? I'd be fine with that.