RPGaDay2021 in August - August 26th: Theory - Play
We continue on today with #RPGaDay2021 in August.
Day 26 - Theory - Play.
The main prompt word for the day is "Theory", but nothing really comes to my mind on that that subject.
One of the alternate prompt words, however, is "Play", so I think I'll address that one today.
The word "Play" suggests a lot of different things when it comes to roleplaying games. However, for me, it leads to a few thoughts, that I'll talk about here. First off, for those who want to play roleplaying games, play tabletop rpgs as often as one's schedule allows. Time is a precious commodity in the 21st Century in which we leave, and to be honest, Real LifeTM places a lot of demands on us and gives us priorities. Each player and the Gamesmaster will have demands placed on them by Real LifeTM and so it's incumbent upon them to work together to schedule playing locations and times to game. Gaming is meant to be fun (see below), so why not game as often as one can to do so? Just beware of burn-out, both on the GM's and the players' parts.
Second, play different genres and game systems. Sure, not everyone wants to play horror or cyberpunk roleplaying games, but there are plenty of genres and sub-genres of roleplaying games out there to meet anyone's taste in rpgs. Lots of players and GMs go to gaming conventions to play games (and genres) that are new to them or ones they've wanted to try out for a while but couldn't do so in their regular gaming groups. That's one way for players to find out if a game or genre of game appeals to them, and it's also an excellent way for GMs to learn if they might want to run said game or genre. While some gaming groups prefer to stick with just one game system, there's an old saying that variety is the spice of life. GMs stay fresh at the gaming table by running different games and/or genres, and players can often be invigorated to play a character in a different game or genre by switching things up.
Thirdly, players (and GMs) should play outside their comfort zone. When it comes down to it, roleplaying games are about taking on roles in a game different than what the player is or does for a living or has as a hobby. It's not something that's easily done, but the whole "what if?" nature of playing characters in a roleplaying game offers players the chance to be something they're not. The librarian taking on the role of a mercenary, the real life soldier taking on the role of a scholar, the dockworker taking on the role of an alchemist, these are all examples of players taking on characters in roleplaying games that are not in their comfort zones (unless said players have hobbies in these areas). Not all players want to play characters that are outside their comfort zones, but that's okay, too, as long as they experiment from time to time. With Gamemasters, stepping outside their comfort zone usually refers to playing in someone else's game, rather than running the game, but can also take the form of running a game that isn't one they typically would run. However, when all is said and done, the primarily rule is: play what you *want* to play, not what you feel you *have* to play. The game experience is meant to be enjoyable, after all.
And finally, play the roleplaying game to have fun. Roleplaying games are meant to be fun, they're meant to be an enjoyable pasttime and hobby. While roleplaying games require a bit (okay, a lot) of work on the part of the GM, the players are also expected to do a modicum of work as well. They need to show up to play the game, of course, but they need to invest time with the character they're playing, coming up with some background, history, and personality for their characters. That said, when roleplaying games become work or a chore, it's time to know when to stop or to change one's approach to make the game more fun. That said, what the players and GM bring to the gaming table and play is what should and will make the game fun. In some ways, the players and the GM have to work at making the game fun for everyone involved.
That's all I've got for today.
And there you have it, my thoughts on this twenty-sixth day of #RPGaDay for August, 2021.
Comments, thoughts, questions, etc. are all welcome, of course. :)
Day 26 - Theory - Play.
The main prompt word for the day is "Theory", but nothing really comes to my mind on that that subject.
One of the alternate prompt words, however, is "Play", so I think I'll address that one today.
The word "Play" suggests a lot of different things when it comes to roleplaying games. However, for me, it leads to a few thoughts, that I'll talk about here. First off, for those who want to play roleplaying games, play tabletop rpgs as often as one's schedule allows. Time is a precious commodity in the 21st Century in which we leave, and to be honest, Real LifeTM places a lot of demands on us and gives us priorities. Each player and the Gamesmaster will have demands placed on them by Real LifeTM and so it's incumbent upon them to work together to schedule playing locations and times to game. Gaming is meant to be fun (see below), so why not game as often as one can to do so? Just beware of burn-out, both on the GM's and the players' parts.
Second, play different genres and game systems. Sure, not everyone wants to play horror or cyberpunk roleplaying games, but there are plenty of genres and sub-genres of roleplaying games out there to meet anyone's taste in rpgs. Lots of players and GMs go to gaming conventions to play games (and genres) that are new to them or ones they've wanted to try out for a while but couldn't do so in their regular gaming groups. That's one way for players to find out if a game or genre of game appeals to them, and it's also an excellent way for GMs to learn if they might want to run said game or genre. While some gaming groups prefer to stick with just one game system, there's an old saying that variety is the spice of life. GMs stay fresh at the gaming table by running different games and/or genres, and players can often be invigorated to play a character in a different game or genre by switching things up.
Thirdly, players (and GMs) should play outside their comfort zone. When it comes down to it, roleplaying games are about taking on roles in a game different than what the player is or does for a living or has as a hobby. It's not something that's easily done, but the whole "what if?" nature of playing characters in a roleplaying game offers players the chance to be something they're not. The librarian taking on the role of a mercenary, the real life soldier taking on the role of a scholar, the dockworker taking on the role of an alchemist, these are all examples of players taking on characters in roleplaying games that are not in their comfort zones (unless said players have hobbies in these areas). Not all players want to play characters that are outside their comfort zones, but that's okay, too, as long as they experiment from time to time. With Gamemasters, stepping outside their comfort zone usually refers to playing in someone else's game, rather than running the game, but can also take the form of running a game that isn't one they typically would run. However, when all is said and done, the primarily rule is: play what you *want* to play, not what you feel you *have* to play. The game experience is meant to be enjoyable, after all.
And finally, play the roleplaying game to have fun. Roleplaying games are meant to be fun, they're meant to be an enjoyable pasttime and hobby. While roleplaying games require a bit (okay, a lot) of work on the part of the GM, the players are also expected to do a modicum of work as well. They need to show up to play the game, of course, but they need to invest time with the character they're playing, coming up with some background, history, and personality for their characters. That said, when roleplaying games become work or a chore, it's time to know when to stop or to change one's approach to make the game more fun. That said, what the players and GM bring to the gaming table and play is what should and will make the game fun. In some ways, the players and the GM have to work at making the game fun for everyone involved.
That's all I've got for today.
And there you have it, my thoughts on this twenty-sixth day of #RPGaDay for August, 2021.
Comments, thoughts, questions, etc. are all welcome, of course. :)