SPECIAL NOTICE
Malicious code was found on the site, which has been removed, but would have been able to access files and the database, revealing email addresses, posts, and encoded passwords (which would need to be decoded). However, there is no direct evidence that any such activity occurred. REGARDLESS, BE SURE TO CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS. And as is good practice, remember to never use the same password on more than one site. While performing housekeeping, we also decided to upgrade the forums.
This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

I tried to watch an online game, and it just drug on without going anywhere....

Started by Jam The MF, April 27, 2021, 12:59:52 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

Jam The MF

I kept expecting the DM to roll a random encounter or something, but he wouldn't initiate anything in lieu of the players doing something.  After 20 or 30 minutes of random talking, I just gave up and exited the video.  It was just a conversation about a game that wasn't actually in motion.

Now, imagine that being someone's initial exposure to D&D.  Like an episode of Seinfeld, it was a game about nothing; because nobody was actually playing the game.

Remembering, rehashing, discussing, planning, whatever; but no actual gameplay.

As a DM, how would you handle something like that?
Let the Dice, Decide the Outcome.  Accept the Results.

Sable Wyvern

Are the players actually engaged and enjoying themselves? Then I let them do their thing.

jeff37923

Quote from: Jam The MF on April 27, 2021, 12:59:52 AM
I kept expecting the DM to roll a random encounter or something, but he wouldn't initiate anything in lieu of the players doing something.  After 20 or 30 minutes of random talking, I just gave up and exited the video.  It was just a conversation about a game that wasn't actually in motion.

Now, imagine that being someone's initial exposure to D&D.  Like an episode of Seinfeld, it was a game about nothing; because nobody was actually playing the game.

Remembering, rehashing, discussing, planning, whatever; but no actual gameplay.

As a DM, how would you handle something like that?

Have everyone roll initiative.
In media res
"Meh."

This Guy

Quote from: Jam The MF on April 27, 2021, 12:59:52 AM
I kept expecting the DM to roll a random encounter or something, but he wouldn't initiate anything in lieu of the players doing something.  After 20 or 30 minutes of random talking, I just gave up and exited the video.  It was just a conversation about a game that wasn't actually in motion.

Now, imagine that being someone's initial exposure to D&D.  Like an episode of Seinfeld, it was a game about nothing; because nobody was actually playing the game.

Remembering, rehashing, discussing, planning, whatever; but no actual gameplay.

As a DM, how would you handle something like that?

not being a fucking spectator sport
I don\'t want to play with you.


Jam The MF

Let the Dice, Decide the Outcome.  Accept the Results.

Jam The MF

Quote from: jeff37923 on April 27, 2021, 01:58:47 AM
Quote from: Jam The MF on April 27, 2021, 12:59:52 AM
I kept expecting the DM to roll a random encounter or something, but he wouldn't initiate anything in lieu of the players doing something.  After 20 or 30 minutes of random talking, I just gave up and exited the video.  It was just a conversation about a game that wasn't actually in motion.

Now, imagine that being someone's initial exposure to D&D.  Like an episode of Seinfeld, it was a game about nothing; because nobody was actually playing the game.

Remembering, rehashing, discussing, planning, whatever; but no actual gameplay.

As a DM, how would you handle something like that?

Have everyone roll initiative.
In media res


I thought of having them roll initiative; but then I thought it would be better to have them make a perception check.  If they fail the perception check, they are caught by surprise.
Let the Dice, Decide the Outcome.  Accept the Results.

robh

Quote from: Jam The MF on April 27, 2021, 12:59:52 AM
.......It was just a conversation about a game that wasn't actually in motion........Remembering, rehashing, discussing, planning, whatever; but no actual gameplay.

Pretty standard Storyteller system gaming then.   :(

HappyDaze

Quote from: Jam The MF on April 27, 2021, 12:59:52 AM
I kept expecting the DM to roll a random encounter or something, but he wouldn't initiate anything in lieu of the players doing something.  After 20 or 30 minutes of random talking, I just gave up and exited the video.  It was just a conversation about a game that wasn't actually in motion.

Now, imagine that being someone's initial exposure to D&D.  Like an episode of Seinfeld, it was a game about nothing; because nobody was actually playing the game.

Remembering, rehashing, discussing, planning, whatever; but no actual gameplay.

As a DM, how would you handle something like that?
Wasn't there an old joke about the typical RPG session having 10 minutes of exciting fun spread out over four hours of play?

Reckall

Quote from: jeff37923 on April 27, 2021, 01:58:47 AM
Have everyone roll initiative.
In media res

Just play "We Will Remember Them" for World War Cthulhu. It is about a British Commando team doing a mission behind enemy lines in occupied Norway. The adventure starts with the mission only partially completed, but with the characters stranded on a mountain road after they crashed their truck. The players start the game literally half-way through the mission. What happened up to that point is actually played in flashbacks that go way back to their training. The "In Media Res" is strong in this one.

The ending, BTW, is one of the biggest mindfucks ever. When I ran it, my players made the mistake of becoming attached to their soldier characters. Never do that in CoC...  :D
For every idiot who denounces Ayn Rand as "intellectualism" there is an excellent DM who creates a "Bioshock" adventure.

oggsmash

  What online game was it?  Just some gamers recording a session?  I know we have some rules when we play that encourage game play, such as a timer for 50 minutes so that we take a 10-15 minute break for bullshitting, socializing, checking phones (I have a no phones at the table policy if I am GM'ing).  I find we keep the game moving much better that way and still get to socialize.  We always have a 3-4 hour session so the game moves along, we all get to talk and socialize and snack, and it feels like progress is made.  I would think if people were going to film a session they would have some guidelines put down before they started to keep the game rolling and maybe have an intermission break in the middle for people to pee, eat, etc.  Games are social, and often personal to the people playing together and that will not translate terribly well to film documentation if its all mushed together as a typical game session would be.

TJS

Can't speak for the OP, but what he says seems to me to pretty well describe the hour or so of Critical Role I watched before giving up.

The one or two other times I watched a little of people playing D&D online it seemed largely the same.

Lots of people captured by the sheer novelty of playing a character and talking in funny voices - usually in an inn, with very little happening.

They may well be having fun, but it wouldn't fly with my jaded players.

Shrieking Banshee

My games usually follow sessions of planning followed by sessions of execution. So I find this idea that if your not killing something ever 15 seconds then its a waste, kinda insulting.

Jam The MF

Quote from: Shrieking Banshee on April 27, 2021, 08:25:35 PM
My games usually follow sessions of planning followed by sessions of execution. So I find this idea that if your not killing something ever 15 seconds then its a waste, kinda insulting.

Combat isn't the whole game; but after a few minutes of rehash, something needs to happen or at least be attempted.  Otherwise you're talking about games, without actually playing them.  My first DM wouldn't let that mess drag on.  Either the PCs do something, or the DM does something.  Something is about to happen.  The DM's time is being wasted.

"Demogorgon tires of your foolish bickering!!!"
Let the Dice, Decide the Outcome.  Accept the Results.

S'mon

Humm. I think stuff can be unbearably boring to watch, while fun and enjoyable for the participants. I'm certainly not going to resent my players taking 15 minutes to discuss/plan, long as their PCs are in a safe location. If they're in the dungeon I'll probably roll a wandering monster check.
Shadowdark Wilderlands (Fridays 2pm UK/9am EST)  https://smons.blogspot.com/2024/08/shadowdark.html
Open table game on Roll20, PM me to join! Current Start Level: 1