tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8655963161146124083.post8797399811734152392..comments2023-08-12T03:35:25.761-04:00Comments on Apotheosis of the Invisible City: Basic expectationsRavenswinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15326042326261485786noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8655963161146124083.post-5463737041712818292013-10-06T08:50:38.006-04:002013-10-06T08:50:38.006-04:00I'd say that the "mind-meld" assumpt...I'd say that the "mind-meld" assumption is less common -- heaven knows there've been only about ten thousand threads on gaming forums around the theme of "WTH, he's not playing/GMing right!"<br /><br />But you're right: it *is* a good thing to ask questions and proffer info ahead of time. The example that comes to my own mind is PvP, which is a mortal sin in my campaign; I don't tolerate it, never have, and if you pull it, you're gone. Of course, I have to tell people this in advance.Ravenswinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15326042326261485786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8655963161146124083.post-67901357755136160582013-10-05T19:04:33.753-04:002013-10-05T19:04:33.753-04:00As a player I've seen very few groups where th...As a player I've seen very few groups where there was any discussion beyond what rules will be used, as if any particular set of rules can only generate one style of play. <br />And Just about every time the players and GM seem to have this mind-meld thing where they all hit the same assumptions... 'This is how D&D is played', 'This is what happens in Deadlands'. <br />For whatever reason I'm lacking the gene for this psychic bond and usually end up being a bit of a black sheep. Not a total prick, I hope... but a bit out of the loop, mildly disruptive to the general cohesion. <br />Most likely it's my own fault for not asking questions, which is what I'm doing pre-game with this Shadowrun thing... and I guess it's a good thing because even though there is friction at least it will be obvious going in... if we actually play it. Timmy Crabcakeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14737954661234574830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8655963161146124083.post-45618979800208726882013-10-05T05:01:25.195-04:002013-10-05T05:01:25.195-04:00Well ... but the strife comes from people not bein...Well ... but the strife comes from people not being on the same page. The "Buying in" bit comes with a big presumption, which I ought to have mentioned: that I *disclose* my expectations. Telling people -- to borrow your examples -- "I'm starting up a D&D game, want to play?" and they're going to come with their own expectations and presumptions.<br /><br />Tell people, instead, "I'm starting up a D&D game; it'll be low fantasy, where magic isn't common, and my setting is a dangerous, high-risk world," and that not only gives them an insight on what you plan, but the opportunity to decline if that's not what they're looking for in a group.<br /><br />The FAQ I put out for my campaign goes into some of those things. I ought to put that up.Ravenswinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15326042326261485786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8655963161146124083.post-49373589443268619782013-10-05T03:11:35.437-04:002013-10-05T03:11:35.437-04:00The one I'm bad at, sometimes, is buying in......The one I'm bad at, sometimes, is buying in... mostly in regards to the other players and their assumptions/desires. Generally I think there are stronger and weaker personalities at the table and a bit of tug of war as players try to push the game toward their preferred style of play. <br />For instance, in our Deadlands campaign I let one of my PCs die, refusing to use bennies to chip away the damage because I was tired of how low-consequence/low-danger the game had been. <br />I rankle at the, IMO ridiculous, economy of magic items assumed in a lot of D&D games and will sometimes push to subvert it. <br />I'm already sensing a bit of strife in our upcoming games of Shadowrun... because I don't want it to just be D&D with different loot lists (and I dislike the cliche dichotomy between magic and technology). Meanwhile another player is balking at the setting's assumption regarding feedback from hacker devices... so at least I'm not the only one. <br />Timmy Crabcakeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14737954661234574830noreply@blogger.com