Friday, October 10, 2008

Game Mastering: Driving Play

Momentum is as important to gaming as it is to unpowered flight Without it, you nosedive into Mother Earth, shattering bone and rupturing your spleen. Metaphorically speaking. That's why it's vital that you drive not only the plot, but also your players. Otherwise, you end up like this guy.


While a lot of problems can be prevented by proper preparation, there are things that need to happen during the game as well. When you run a game, the most important thing to do is to be constantly giving the players something to respond to. It's fine to give them a little downtime to role play and such, but when the party is actively doing something, make sure they're doing something.

Players are funny. They're usually either leaping five steps ahead of where you want them, or they're so thick you have to bludgeon them over the head with a clue just to get the game moving. Occasionally you'll find yourself stuck on a sandbar, with the players standing around debating their next course of acting with an adventure hook is staring them right in the face. When this happens, set the hook and reel. If they should have discovered a treacherous baron working against the king's interests, have the party be attacked by the baron's men. If terrorists are saboteurs are targeting vital wartime industries, have a nearby bomb go off prematurely. Make the players respond to something. Sometimes you have to level a few blocks of (hopefully) abandoned buildings to get people moving again.

When you're in combat, make sure everyone knows the turn order. A dry-erase board with the initiative order is really useful. Even a laminated piece of paper hanging from the front of the gm screen will work. When it's someone's turn, make sure they know it's their turn. Say their name and make eye contact. If somebody's not focusing on taking their turn, keep looking at them until they get on with it. Glare a little.

Again, keep in mind, the most important things is just to keep the game rolling. As long a things are happening, the players will stay interested. Good luck, and see you Monday.

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