Why Doesn't It Work?

P-Khan

<div class="IPBDescription">Anyone?</div> I was going to start another RPG, but then it came to me. All my RPGs never seem to finish. In fact, they never get out of the start. The farthest I got was when the group arrived at the start of their first mission. Both on The Resistance and on the LOTR.

What am I doing wrong? That's the simple question I just wanted to know. I got the link for both RPGs of mine here, so that you guys can analyse what's the problem. So, before I start a new one, I'd just like to know what I should be doing to get it to work.

<a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62750' target='_blank'>The Resistance</a>
<a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=56275&hl=lotr' target='_blank'>LOTR</a>

xect

Having played in the LotR RPG, I can tell you why I quit. There was simply far too much railroading. I kind of got the feeling that no matter what my character did, the outcome would be the same.

I think what you need to do is to ease the planning a bit. Am I wrong in assuming that you planned for your character to die quite a while before it happened?


Try to forget your gaming instincts. In games, the idea where a random party meet, they get two missions to choose from, they choose one of them and the game progresses along a scripted line is neccesary. The very point in having a gamemaster is the ability to go BEYOND that. A good tip would be to create a world, give it a set of events, peoples and conflicts that allows for some interesting manipulations and changes, add a good place for the players to start out. A common purpose is a good thing. The LotR group had no real reason to stick together. The "we are gathered to fight evil, where do we begin?" thing didn't really work.



If you have any further questions, or need help setting something up, feel free to message me. Can't seem to get my ICQ to add the adress you wrote in your profile, but if you add me I can help you set something up.

P-Khan

So the best thing would be to start something like, having a basic idea for something, like a destroyed world, but no real plot?

For example:
A space colony has been destroyed by gang wars. Three main rivals are trying to take the whole colony over. You can act as a mercenary for any gang, or be a member of a gang.

And then, the basic post your character profile?

xect

Exactly. Because if you design your plot beyond the beginning, the players will know, trust me.

And playing a game where you know you can't change anything, and you're just a pawn in a game already played, isn't quite as satisfying. Those finished stories are available in most computer games, and they're better in those computer games. What roleplaying has to offer is a game that is not limited by the plot that was designed before the game began.

P-Khan

I'll try it out then. Gonna start one to see how it goes. The only way to get it right is by trying <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->

xect

True, I'll jump in. Just ask if you have any questions <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->

Nuub

Yey, im in too. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo-->

P-Khan

Just wondering if this RPG seems better than before. I tried to move away from the traditional "I get up, meet the group, go to a mission, return". Want to try an actual role-play, where the character take his own role and his own story, and later, interact with others.

xect

So far, it seems fine. But then again, it hasn't started yet.