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Should I discuss the type of campaign with my players?
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The campaign I’m preparing is designed to give the illusion of choice via side quests and an open world (not really open), but with a main story line that will be pushed into them sooner or later. The campaign is structured in acts and areas, with each area acting as a sandbox space you can’t really leave, but with an expectation the players will move on to the main plot.
Now, on one side, the campaign will be a lot more fun if the players are not completely aware of this fact and they feel they are free to do whatever they want until certain “events” just push them to go in a given direction. On the other hand, if they behave randomly or fight against the main story line it will ruin the campaign as it is not supposed to be really Sandbox play.
Should I explicitly state to them the type of campaign I’m designing or should I “demonstrate” the type of campaign and hope they’re on board with it?
It’s not a question of etiquette but more trying to decide if I’ll break the suspense by letting them know the general story arc is already on my mind... even if they intuitively already know or suspect it.
dnd-5e gm-techniques campaign-development player-communication
edited 3 hours ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
asked 4 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
25718
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The campaign I’m preparing is designed to give the illusion of choice via side quests and an open world (not really open), but with a main story line that will be pushed into them sooner or later. The campaign is structured in acts and areas, with each area acting as a sandbox space you can’t really leave, but with an expectation the players will move on to the main plot.
Now, on one side, the campaign will be a lot more fun if the players are not completely aware of this fact and they feel they are free to do whatever they want until certain “events” just push them to go in a given direction. On the other hand, if they behave randomly or fight against the main story line it will ruin the campaign as it is not supposed to be really Sandbox play.
Should I explicitly state to them the type of campaign I’m designing or should I “demonstrate” the type of campaign and hope they’re on board with it?
It’s not a question of etiquette but more trying to decide if I’ll break the suspense by letting them know the general story arc is already on my mind... even if they intuitively already know or suspect it.
dnd-5e gm-techniques campaign-development player-communication
edited 3 hours ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
asked 4 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
25718
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
What RPG/edition are you playing? It may not be necessary to answer the question, but it also may influence the sort of tone that players will expect (or should expect) going into the campaign, so it might be useful to know.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This specific one is dnd 5e, epic fantasy.
$endgroup$
– Jorge Córdoba
4 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The campaign I’m preparing is designed to give the illusion of choice via side quests and an open world (not really open), but with a main story line that will be pushed into them sooner or later. The campaign is structured in acts and areas, with each area acting as a sandbox space you can’t really leave, but with an expectation the players will move on to the main plot.
Now, on one side, the campaign will be a lot more fun if the players are not completely aware of this fact and they feel they are free to do whatever they want until certain “events” just push them to go in a given direction. On the other hand, if they behave randomly or fight against the main story line it will ruin the campaign as it is not supposed to be really Sandbox play.
Should I explicitly state to them the type of campaign I’m designing or should I “demonstrate” the type of campaign and hope they’re on board with it?
It’s not a question of etiquette but more trying to decide if I’ll break the suspense by letting them know the general story arc is already on my mind... even if they intuitively already know or suspect it.
dnd-5e gm-techniques campaign-development player-communication
edited 3 hours ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
asked 4 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
25718
$endgroup$
The campaign I’m preparing is designed to give the illusion of choice via side quests and an open world (not really open), but with a main story line that will be pushed into them sooner or later. The campaign is structured in acts and areas, with each area acting as a sandbox space you can’t really leave, but with an expectation the players will move on to the main plot.
Now, on one side, the campaign will be a lot more fun if the players are not completely aware of this fact and they feel they are free to do whatever they want until certain “events” just push them to go in a given direction. On the other hand, if they behave randomly or fight against the main story line it will ruin the campaign as it is not supposed to be really Sandbox play.
Should I explicitly state to them the type of campaign I’m designing or should I “demonstrate” the type of campaign and hope they’re on board with it?
It’s not a question of etiquette but more trying to decide if I’ll break the suspense by letting them know the general story arc is already on my mind... even if they intuitively already know or suspect it.
dnd-5e gm-techniques campaign-development player-communication
dnd-5e gm-techniques campaign-development player-communication
edited 3 hours ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
asked 4 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
25718
edited 3 hours ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
asked 4 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
25718
edited 3 hours ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
edited 3 hours ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
edited 3 hours ago
Chris Starnes
3,9811934
3,9811934
asked 4 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
25718
asked 4 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
25718
asked 4 hours ago
Jorge CórdobaJorge Córdoba
25718
25718
$begingroup$
What RPG/edition are you playing? It may not be necessary to answer the question, but it also may influence the sort of tone that players will expect (or should expect) going into the campaign, so it might be useful to know.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This specific one is dnd 5e, epic fantasy.
$endgroup$
– Jorge Córdoba
4 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
What RPG/edition are you playing? It may not be necessary to answer the question, but it also may influence the sort of tone that players will expect (or should expect) going into the campaign, so it might be useful to know.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This specific one is dnd 5e, epic fantasy.
$endgroup$
– Jorge Córdoba
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
What RPG/edition are you playing? It may not be necessary to answer the question, but it also may influence the sort of tone that players will expect (or should expect) going into the campaign, so it might be useful to know.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
What RPG/edition are you playing? It may not be necessary to answer the question, but it also may influence the sort of tone that players will expect (or should expect) going into the campaign, so it might be useful to know.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This specific one is dnd 5e, epic fantasy.
$endgroup$
– Jorge Córdoba
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This specific one is dnd 5e, epic fantasy.
$endgroup$
– Jorge Córdoba
4 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Yes, you should discuss it with them.
First, it is important to note that "Sandbox" and "railroad" are more of a spectrum than an either-or proposition. As I understand it, you want to put at least some major events on a railroad and allow a bit more of a sandbox during the temporary stops along the rails.
This is a perfectly valid style of play. When I am a gm, I tend to do something similar with certain major plot points preplanned and enforced. This makes it easier for me to have a deep plot and do planning while still allowing some freedom that goes beyond just shuffling from one combat to the next. When I play, I am willing to accept a certain amount of railroading if it makes my gm's job easier and makes them more inclined to develop a deep plot.
However, I explain ahead of time to my players that certain aspects are pre-ordained and I generally appreciate the same courtesy when I am a player. This is especially pertinent right now because games that are much further towards the sandbox side seem to be the default expectation in many communities of gamers right now.
If your players expect a certain amount of railroading then I expect most will accept it quite nicely or at least have a polite discussion about why they don't like that style. If they run into rails or walls they didn't expect though, it can breed feelings of resentment and helplessness. This is especially true if we are talking about significantly negative events that are pre-ordained.
You haven't provided the details of your campaign, but you can probably have a detailed discussion about where on the sandbox-railroad spectrum your game will fall without spoilers. Even if you find light spoilers are necessary, I think that will still be a worthwhile tradeoff for having the discussion. Your players are likely to be much happier if they go into the game with clear expectations.
answered 4 hours ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.5k24096
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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Yes, you should discuss it with them.
First, it is important to note that "Sandbox" and "railroad" are more of a spectrum than an either-or proposition. As I understand it, you want to put at least some major events on a railroad and allow a bit more of a sandbox during the temporary stops along the rails.
This is a perfectly valid style of play. When I am a gm, I tend to do something similar with certain major plot points preplanned and enforced. This makes it easier for me to have a deep plot and do planning while still allowing some freedom that goes beyond just shuffling from one combat to the next. When I play, I am willing to accept a certain amount of railroading if it makes my gm's job easier and makes them more inclined to develop a deep plot.
However, I explain ahead of time to my players that certain aspects are pre-ordained and I generally appreciate the same courtesy when I am a player. This is especially pertinent right now because games that are much further towards the sandbox side seem to be the default expectation in many communities of gamers right now.
If your players expect a certain amount of railroading then I expect most will accept it quite nicely or at least have a polite discussion about why they don't like that style. If they run into rails or walls they didn't expect though, it can breed feelings of resentment and helplessness. This is especially true if we are talking about significantly negative events that are pre-ordained.
You haven't provided the details of your campaign, but you can probably have a detailed discussion about where on the sandbox-railroad spectrum your game will fall without spoilers. Even if you find light spoilers are necessary, I think that will still be a worthwhile tradeoff for having the discussion. Your players are likely to be much happier if they go into the game with clear expectations.
answered 4 hours ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.5k24096
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Yes, you should discuss it with them.
First, it is important to note that "Sandbox" and "railroad" are more of a spectrum than an either-or proposition. As I understand it, you want to put at least some major events on a railroad and allow a bit more of a sandbox during the temporary stops along the rails.
This is a perfectly valid style of play. When I am a gm, I tend to do something similar with certain major plot points preplanned and enforced. This makes it easier for me to have a deep plot and do planning while still allowing some freedom that goes beyond just shuffling from one combat to the next. When I play, I am willing to accept a certain amount of railroading if it makes my gm's job easier and makes them more inclined to develop a deep plot.
However, I explain ahead of time to my players that certain aspects are pre-ordained and I generally appreciate the same courtesy when I am a player. This is especially pertinent right now because games that are much further towards the sandbox side seem to be the default expectation in many communities of gamers right now.
If your players expect a certain amount of railroading then I expect most will accept it quite nicely or at least have a polite discussion about why they don't like that style. If they run into rails or walls they didn't expect though, it can breed feelings of resentment and helplessness. This is especially true if we are talking about significantly negative events that are pre-ordained.
You haven't provided the details of your campaign, but you can probably have a detailed discussion about where on the sandbox-railroad spectrum your game will fall without spoilers. Even if you find light spoilers are necessary, I think that will still be a worthwhile tradeoff for having the discussion. Your players are likely to be much happier if they go into the game with clear expectations.
answered 4 hours ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.5k24096
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Yes, you should discuss it with them.
First, it is important to note that "Sandbox" and "railroad" are more of a spectrum than an either-or proposition. As I understand it, you want to put at least some major events on a railroad and allow a bit more of a sandbox during the temporary stops along the rails.
This is a perfectly valid style of play. When I am a gm, I tend to do something similar with certain major plot points preplanned and enforced. This makes it easier for me to have a deep plot and do planning while still allowing some freedom that goes beyond just shuffling from one combat to the next. When I play, I am willing to accept a certain amount of railroading if it makes my gm's job easier and makes them more inclined to develop a deep plot.
However, I explain ahead of time to my players that certain aspects are pre-ordained and I generally appreciate the same courtesy when I am a player. This is especially pertinent right now because games that are much further towards the sandbox side seem to be the default expectation in many communities of gamers right now.
If your players expect a certain amount of railroading then I expect most will accept it quite nicely or at least have a polite discussion about why they don't like that style. If they run into rails or walls they didn't expect though, it can breed feelings of resentment and helplessness. This is especially true if we are talking about significantly negative events that are pre-ordained.
You haven't provided the details of your campaign, but you can probably have a detailed discussion about where on the sandbox-railroad spectrum your game will fall without spoilers. Even if you find light spoilers are necessary, I think that will still be a worthwhile tradeoff for having the discussion. Your players are likely to be much happier if they go into the game with clear expectations.
answered 4 hours ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.5k24096
$endgroup$
Yes, you should discuss it with them.
First, it is important to note that "Sandbox" and "railroad" are more of a spectrum than an either-or proposition. As I understand it, you want to put at least some major events on a railroad and allow a bit more of a sandbox during the temporary stops along the rails.
This is a perfectly valid style of play. When I am a gm, I tend to do something similar with certain major plot points preplanned and enforced. This makes it easier for me to have a deep plot and do planning while still allowing some freedom that goes beyond just shuffling from one combat to the next. When I play, I am willing to accept a certain amount of railroading if it makes my gm's job easier and makes them more inclined to develop a deep plot.
However, I explain ahead of time to my players that certain aspects are pre-ordained and I generally appreciate the same courtesy when I am a player. This is especially pertinent right now because games that are much further towards the sandbox side seem to be the default expectation in many communities of gamers right now.
If your players expect a certain amount of railroading then I expect most will accept it quite nicely or at least have a polite discussion about why they don't like that style. If they run into rails or walls they didn't expect though, it can breed feelings of resentment and helplessness. This is especially true if we are talking about significantly negative events that are pre-ordained.
You haven't provided the details of your campaign, but you can probably have a detailed discussion about where on the sandbox-railroad spectrum your game will fall without spoilers. Even if you find light spoilers are necessary, I think that will still be a worthwhile tradeoff for having the discussion. Your players are likely to be much happier if they go into the game with clear expectations.
answered 4 hours ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.5k24096
answered 4 hours ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.5k24096
answered 4 hours ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.5k24096
answered 4 hours ago
TimothyAWisemanTimothyAWiseman
19.5k24096
19.5k24096
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
2 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
To add to the last part : In my experience, most player will see throught some of the railroading. Especially if they have GMing experience. And if they are savvy about fantasy stories, chances are that they already expect some of the plotpoints that the asker has in mind.
$endgroup$
– 3C273
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
What RPG/edition are you playing? It may not be necessary to answer the question, but it also may influence the sort of tone that players will expect (or should expect) going into the campaign, so it might be useful to know.
$endgroup$
– V2Blast
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
This specific one is dnd 5e, epic fantasy.
$endgroup$
– Jorge Córdoba
4 hours ago