If you're reading this, then at one point in your gaming lifetime you've ventured into the realm of Forum Gaming, or more commonly known as Play-by-Post. The basic premise is to be allowed the opportunity to roleplay, but on slower pace. At least, that's how I've come to interpret this style of gaming.
Now I've played in only ONE PbP ever. I can't remember what forum I was on, but I, at first, was only interested in reading the posts. Which I did, and it was enticing. So after looking around I found a game in which I was excited to join. The story line escapes me, but it was a Star Wars game, which began on one of the many mining facilities known to populate the SW galaxy.
I chose to play a kid. From what I remember he was an orphan and was as white as a ghost. Very pale skin, white blonde hair, etc. and due to his demeanor, he earned the nickname Ghost. It was all very silly, but at the time I thought it was a brilliant idea.
From what I had seen in other PbPs the object of the game was for the GM(s) to start a story and then for the players to sort of take off with it, and every so often intervening to keep the game on task. So at first there was a good group of us, six or more players, and we somehow managed to escape from the mining facility. But somewhere between there and some posts later the game died. People just weren't replying. Even the GM(s) had dropped out -- actually come to think of it, after they posted the opening crawl they never posted again. I don't know what caused the desertion but I remember enjoying the game, but never went back to try another.
Fast forward maybe ten years later and the brothers in my most recent gaming group tell me about this forum they're on in which they play-by-post. It peaked my interested and I got a log-in for the site. I looked around but didn't really find anything that was catching my interest. So I talked to the brothers again expressing my interest to play, but not being able to access the site at work. (Since I work third shift at a hotel, that is where the bulk of my "down time" is, and when I would be most able to post to the forum.) The older brother then suggested finding a site to which I could access at work. And that was several months ago. Finally, when I started creating my Blogs, I decided to look for a free forum of my own to create. In the end I just chose one at random and started inviting friends to join.
The original purpose was just to game with the brothers, but I was hoping that my other friends would join and just talk about gaming. As of right now though, only six have created a user name, however, all six are in my first PbP, in which I'm the GM. So to make a long story somewhat shorter, I want to reflect on what's happening so far.
The game is set in the Star Wars galaxy some 45 years before the Battle of Yavin (the original Star Wars movie, or Episode IV for those who aren't SW savvy). This is long before the atrocities that make up Ep. I, II and III (though I still appreciate what Lucas was trying to do) had even begun. And centers on an actual event during that time period.
I chose to play off a known event because after some research I discovered that there's been little detail as to what happened during said event. The event in question is the the Republic's launch of a new fleet of starships which soon disappear and then are later discovered some 5+ years after the Battle of Endor (Ep. VI, Return of the Jedi). So my hopes are to run a game during the fleet's initial launch.
So far I'd say I'm doing admirably. Not to say I'm without error, because I know I am, but I'm getting decent responses from the players so far. However, that wasn't the case at first.
In order to get the game started I offered my own opening crawl. It wasn't anything elaborate, like in the movies, but it was hopefully enough to get the players to understand what was going on, and what was to come. Now, the typical rpg entrance is to say, "you all meet in a bar . . .", and I wasn't about to do that. So I asked for brief backgrounds for the players and then set off to write their entrances.
If you've watched the movies the characters sometimes start off on their own or are at least brought together with another character before the story drives forward. Like in Ep. 4 A New Hope, we meet Luke, who then joins with C3PO and R2D2, in which the latter brings them all together with Obi-Wan Kenobi. That meeting then leads to meeting Han Solo and Chewbacca, and then Princess Leia after that. Which is sort of what I was aiming for for my game.
I gave each character their own entrance, but yet I divided the groups into three groups of two in hopes of eventually bringing them together. For instance, my wife (who's only ever played in two rpgs in here entire life) and the younger brother (from above) were placed together. Though they have yet to meet, they are at least near the same planet. Three posts in I still haven't gotten them together, but I'm still working on it.
Let me briefly explain the game concept before I continue. I didn't want the game to use any sort of stat. there's no Strength, no Charisma, no Use Computer check, nothing. It's all in the player's head. If there's a fight, the player (and me, the GM) determine its outcome. It's a narrative in other words. Character interaction (between each other and the environment) is what drives the story forward. At first I wasn't clear about this, but it seems like the players are getting the idea.
So far each time I post I write three paragraphs for each player. Again, trying to convey that they have options. And though there's probably an obvious answer, that option isn't always the necessary choice. Of course as GM I must railroad ... I mean, guide ... my players to their destinations, but make them feel it was their choice to go there, not mine. Unfortunately I've already failed that part, as I'm already forcing a player to submit to the certain actions to bring him and another player together. Meanwhile, I'm struggling to bring the third pair together, which makes things difficult, as I had hoped they would play their prototypical selves. But they haven't and I'm left scrounging up ideas to ultimately bring them together. Of course, in the end I hope I can bring them all together, so that they can face the final challenge as a team.
I'm enjoying the game so far though. It's great to be able to write several different story arcs, as it allows me to express my creative side. As a GM this format allows me to be flexible, which I tend to resort to railroading when playing in person (pnp). So I'm hoping that this game will provide me with a learning opportunity to improve my GMing skills. Make me think on me feet and be adaptive to an ever changing world. I want the character's to run the story eventually, and have me there to add color, flavor and some design.
As I said, I'm enjoying the game. Even my wife, is having fun. And that's just awesome! I've wanted her to play in an rpg for a while. Her first attempt was a failure, and the second time was one she easily forgot. So to have her enjoy this game makes me feel good. Although, I did have to poke at her a little to play, and have to "red ink" her posts before she sends them off, but she likes it. She said that this method of gaming really plays well with her style, being able to narrate what she wants to do without the limitations of the rules or the roll of a dice.
I hope the other players are having a good time, and hope to give regular updates as the game progresses.
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Next time on RPG: Die Harder - My Two Cents, a review of some podcasts or a podcast, or something thereabout
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