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<blockquote data-quote="Nagol" data-source="post: 5044417" data-attributes="member: 23935">There are different levels of player direction.&nbsp; Most of those levels make the game not-a-sandbox.No player interaction -- no game.&nbsp; The players are essentially listening to narrationPlayer interaction through tactical control of characters is a static universe -- heroquest or equivalent board game.Player interaction through character control limited by DM/OOG constraints -- not a sandbox.&nbsp; This limitation can be a &quot;you don't do that&quot;, automatic failure, a railroad track, or the refusal to present any other opportunities to the group until the current one is dealt with.Player&nbsp; interaction through character limited only by environmental constraints -- may be a sandbox depending on how the DM prepares and presents material for interactionPlayer interaction through character control and collaborative imput into world design -- not a sandboxPlayer interaction through shared story-telling and narrative control -- collaborative storytelling.At least as fundamental is how the DM prepares the material for the environment.&nbsp; I think there are a few telling signs the DM can check to see if he is prepared to sandbox.<ul>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is the DM willing to live with the campaign consequence of any plot being ignored / refused / undermined?</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is the DM willing to present the material to the group and abide by their choices as they affect the game world regardless of a preferred outcome?</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is the DM willing to place any behavioural / action constraints expected of the players into the game environment?</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ul">Is the DM willing to examine the actions of the PCs and have the environment react?</li>
</ul>I think sandboxes work best as status quo universes, but I'm uncertain that that is a actual requirement.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Nagol, post: 5044417, member: 23935"] There are different levels of player direction. Most of those levels make the game not-a-sandbox. No player interaction -- no game. The players are essentially listening to narration Player interaction through tactical control of characters is a static universe -- heroquest or equivalent board game. Player interaction through character control limited by DM/OOG constraints -- not a sandbox. This limitation can be a "you don't do that", automatic failure, a railroad track, or the refusal to present any other opportunities to the group until the current one is dealt with. Player interaction through character limited only by environmental constraints -- may be a sandbox depending on how the DM prepares and presents material for interaction Player interaction through character control and collaborative imput into world design -- not a sandbox Player interaction through shared story-telling and narrative control -- collaborative storytelling. At least as fundamental is how the DM prepares the material for the environment. I think there are a few telling signs the DM can check to see if he is prepared to sandbox. [LIST] [*]Is the DM willing to live with the campaign consequence of any plot being ignored / refused / undermined? [*]Is the DM willing to present the material to the group and abide by their choices as they affect the game world regardless of a preferred outcome? [*]Is the DM willing to place any behavioural / action constraints expected of the players into the game environment? [*]Is the DM willing to examine the actions of the PCs and have the environment react? [/LIST] I think sandboxes work best as status quo universes, but I'm uncertain that that is a actual requirement. [/QUOTE]

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