(Found on Google search: "You Just Lost The Game")
Hey everyone,
I know it's been a while and I apologize. My hours at work have been pretty hectic but have started to settle down, so hopefully I'll be able to blog more consistently than I have been lately.
I also realize after reading the last few of my blog posts that they can be quite bland..But fear not, my more creative and fun posts are just around the corner from here on out, so without any further delays I give you part two of my players section...Player Etiquette and Role Playing!
Yes, there is going to be a little lesson on etiquette for a bit, but I promise you it will be beneficial to you all. I find that when I'm running a game, nothing is more important than having respect for your fellow players at the table. (Or living room in my case...)
Usually, I don't have any problems with/or between any of my players due to great levels of sportsmanship, as well as, having some of the best Role Players around. BUT, for the rest of you who might not be so lucky, here are some simple rules you can follow in your games that might make playing your game a lot easier. (This may seem a little pre-schoolish at first, but I have found these rules work...)
Don't Talk While the Game Master is Talking: Okay, this seems like a very odd point because most of what happens in a Role Playing Game is talking with the G.M, but it still stands, there is nothing more annoying then when you are describing the next area/awesome machinery/the dragons' keep/ The Mines of Moria using REALLY good pre-written flavour text, and someone is talking over you about something else entirely.
Trust me when I tell you that it is really hard to keep a game running smoothly when everyone else is talking about unrelated things. Sure, a little bit of "out of game" discussions are hard not to pipe in every now and then, but when the Game Master is trying to describe places, settings, people, or just rambling off with some N.P.C's script LISTEN to him/her!
The G.M (as some of you already know) puts a lot of effort into the game you are playing regardless of whether or not it is a pre-generated game or a purely original creation of theirs and it is disrespectful to ignore their hard work.
In addition to that point, maybe something they say or describe will be important later on and you aren't listening. When you ask: "Where/When did *insert thing here* show up?" You will not only slow down the gaming session, but annoy the G.M greatly...
Oh, so greatly.
Don't Talk While Other Players are Talking: This also seems rather odd because R.P.G's have a lot of "in-character" interactions, but it really is quite rude when someone is trying to give their best effort in a game and no one is listening to their side of the story.
Everyone-and I mean everyone-in a Role Playing Game should be considered important to the plot, and thus, what they say, or do, or think should be treated as important by the other players.
So, next time someone's turn comes up, pay attention to what they say like your characters' life depends on it and if you have something to add, ask them if you could interject something. 'Cause nine times out of ten that person's idea could be JUST what you need to continue the story.
Hey, you never know, maybe you both might figure out something to fix that dragon problem in the Dwarven mountains using each others advice/ideas, than either of your characters could do/think up alone....Maybe.
Don't Criticize Other Players/The Game Masters Decisions: This is a really tough one to follow, since it is always so easy as a Player or a G.M to critic another players actions or decisions during play. I mean, we all want the characters to succeed in the end, (I hope) and it is always easy to try and change someones mind or opinion on a certain action when they could do/say something different to get a better result, and this would be great for everyone as the players are all kind of a team (ideally), but knocking someones opinion or decisions that they make for their character is not polite or productive for their growth as a Role Player. So, remember the person's character is their own and THEY make the ultimate choices for their character, not you.
If you do decide to critique a Game Master's decision, (And GREAT WOE befall any who do...) keep in mind that what they say "in-game" is close to God's own decree "in-game" and should be treated as canon unless otherwise noted. If the Game Master blunders on a rule, or a name, or creates a story paradox, bring it up after game to discuss with them, usually this will fix the problem later, but don't stop to critique them in game unless asked for help. It slows the pace of the game in general and undermines their authority over the Game world. (Which is an important part to get that suspension of disbelief which we are all trying to attain.)
Offer Help to Player/G.M's Where/When Needed: This rule is simple enough to get, HELP EACH OTHER! You're all trying to achieve the ultimate goal of an awesome Role Playing Game session, so help each other when you can. Offer advice "in-game" to other players "through" your characters, or maybe ask for a five minute break to talk about possible plans of actions "out of game" with one another to help the game run smoother.
As stated above, don't step on anyone's toes, but if you see a player struggling, bring up a point, likewise, if you see your G.M struggling with something, ask if he/she'd like to take a five-fifteen minute break to recollect their thoughts, and talk with them "out of game" to find solutions. This can be a great way to not only make gaming go smoother, but it helps create a bond between players and their characters as well as the gaming group as a whole.
Leave Most (If Not All) Of What Happens Outside of the Game At the Door: This rule seems a little strict, but hear me out okay? When everyone takes time out of their week and decides to sit down for an R.P.G it should all be about the game those few hours. Sure, talking amongst your friends, and fellow comrades is important, but the drama of everyday life, or amongst other players, should try and remain in the "real" world.
The number one reason people play Role Playing Games is for capital F,U,N. If you're not into playing the game for any reason, or can't play because of something that happened, give your G.M a call/e-mail/tweet and tell them. We tend to be very understanding folk and can work around your needs/problems with good warning.
Also, it takes a lot of effort to put together a game, take time off, and schedule people correctly to have a game run for only a few hours every week or so. So, really, really, reeeeally try to keep "out of game" dicussions/issues out of gaming time.
As a rule, I find that if you give people about 15-20 minutes before and in-between a game to talk, chill, eat, or whatever, that when the game starts you will have less interuptions and less rabble to contend with while the game is playing.
No Alcohol: Well....Aren't we a party pooper, eh? But seriously folks, in my experience, alcohol has never made any of my games better. Ever.
I mean, if you are planning on doing a bar scene, and actually bring a bottle of beer/ale/wine for your players to drink during such a scene then have at! It'll definitely be a game to remember. But I find most people get distracted (for good reason) after consuming alcohol and thus, I avoid it like the plague when my games roll around. (Love dice puns!)
Remember Everyone is Equal at the Gaming Table: I don't care whether you are ten years older, ten levels higher, or have ten years experience in Role Playing at the table then someone else, remember that everyone at a gaming table is important and equal when it comes to R.P.G gaming.
Every person in a good R.P.G is important to the overall story be they a level 1 Human Fighter, or a seasoned "Old World of Darkness" Player in an "New World of Darkness" game, everyone should be treated with respect and patience. I've been Role Playing and running games since my second year of high school, so believe me when I say I know a few things about how to play in and run a game. BUT that doesn't mean I should be patronizing to a new player in a game I'm in, nor should I be critiquing someone on how they 'should' run their own game.
I mean, that is just plain arrogant and rude.
People should want to keep playing a game and should grow with every new system they run with/in. Every person's experiences matter in an R.P.G and those experiences should be fun and insightful no matter what happens in game. It all comes back around to the main reason for playing/running an R.P.G, it all comes right down to fun. So, make every experience awesome by treating everyone equally and with respect. In the end, it makes every game a better one for it.
Mostly folks, just do what your pre-school teachers taught you and your games should be fine. Share your dice with the other kids, Help people when they are running low on Hit Points, Care about what the Tavern Keeper is talking to you about, and Respect the G.M's au-tho-ri-ta on gaming matters. If you do all that already, then just have fun.^_^
Hope that helped folks, You'll hear back from me soon,
Keep 'Em Rollin',
Leighton
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