Jul 26, 2021 6:24 pm
As roleplaying games can easily get into territory that not everyone can enjoy, it often makes sense to take special precautions to make sure everyone at the (in our case, virtual) table is comfortable.
While RPGs can be a tool to explore difficult content, it is still a game and hobby and not everyone always wants to be confronted with their fears and things they dislike.
In games I run, I always make sure to include a thread for safety tools. It doesn't take much effort and helps to make sure all my players can enjoy the game without worrying about potential triggers or simply topics they don't want to deal with.
In this post, I want to present these tools and encourage every (potential) GM to make use of them in their games. That is, of course, not a requirement but I believe it contributes to a healthy table atmosphere.
The following is mostly copy-pasted directly from one of my games so it is speaking to the players from a GM perspective.Discussions on this topic and suggestions for further safety tools can go here
While RPGs can be a tool to explore difficult content, it is still a game and hobby and not everyone always wants to be confronted with their fears and things they dislike.
In games I run, I always make sure to include a thread for safety tools. It doesn't take much effort and helps to make sure all my players can enjoy the game without worrying about potential triggers or simply topics they don't want to deal with.
In this post, I want to present these tools and encourage every (potential) GM to make use of them in their games. That is, of course, not a requirement but I believe it contributes to a healthy table atmosphere.
The following is mostly copy-pasted directly from one of my games so it is speaking to the players from a GM perspective.
[ +- ] Content Warnings
Unless you are palying in a complete sandbox, you most likely already have some idea of what topics might come up in the game. If any of them seem particularly controversial to you, let your players know in advance what to prepare for.
You will of course never be able to predict everything that might upset your players, but it is a good policy regardless to cover the most common issues.
You will of course never be able to predict everything that might upset your players, but it is a good policy regardless to cover the most common issues.
[ +- ] The X-Card
The X-Card is an optional tool (created by John Stavropoulos) that allows anyone in your game (including you) to edit out any content anyone is uncomfortable with as you play. Since most RPGs are improvisational and we won't know what will happen till it happens, it's possible the game will go in a direction people don't want. An X-Card is a simple tool to fix problems as they arise.
To use, at the start of your game, simply say:
"I’d like your help. Your help to make this game fun for everyone. If anything makes anyone uncomfortable in any way… [draw X on an index card] …just lift this card up, or simply tap it [ place card at the center of the table]. You don’t have to explain why. It doesn't matter why. When we lift or tap this card, we simply edit out anything X-Carded. And if there is ever an issue, anyone can call for a break and we can talk privately. I know it sounds funny but it will help us play amazing games together and usually I’m the one who uses the X-card to help take care of myself. Please help make this game fun for everyone. Thank you!"
The X-Card is an option to skip past content that makes any player uncomfortable. As we are not playing in a physical space, we obviously can't use a physical X-Card, so instead, if anyone at any point is uncomfortable with where a scene is going or with something mentioned, you can simply post an X in any thread (or send it to me privately).
Feel free to add a clarification so that we others can more easily work around the unwanted content. This is not a requirement.
To use, at the start of your game, simply say:
"I’d like your help. Your help to make this game fun for everyone. If anything makes anyone uncomfortable in any way… [draw X on an index card] …just lift this card up, or simply tap it [ place card at the center of the table]. You don’t have to explain why. It doesn't matter why. When we lift or tap this card, we simply edit out anything X-Carded. And if there is ever an issue, anyone can call for a break and we can talk privately. I know it sounds funny but it will help us play amazing games together and usually I’m the one who uses the X-card to help take care of myself. Please help make this game fun for everyone. Thank you!"
The X-Card is an option to skip past content that makes any player uncomfortable. As we are not playing in a physical space, we obviously can't use a physical X-Card, so instead, if anyone at any point is uncomfortable with where a scene is going or with something mentioned, you can simply post an X in any thread (or send it to me privately).
Feel free to add a clarification so that we others can more easily work around the unwanted content. This is not a requirement.
[ +- ] Lines & Veils
Lines and Veils are a safety tool that makes sure people can list things they don't want included in the game for whatever reason.
A Line describes something you don't want mentioned as part of the game at all, not 'on screen' and not in the narrative background. A Veil is something you don't want to see happen 'on-screen' but that you are fine with being included in the background.
Example: Torture - For example, if someone were to have a problem with torture, they can indicate that on the sheet.
Let's say I was planning on having a torture scene in the game. I might decide to have you witness someone actually be tortured for information and describe that.
If someone indicates torture as a Veil, I would instead have the torture happen off-screen and you might just hear someone mention how the information was obtained.
If someone indicates it as a Line, there will be no mention of or allusion to torture. Instead, you might simply be told that the person gave that information out in an interrogation, maybe they cut a deal instead.
I'd like you all to check out this Google Docs and tick any boxes that apply to you. It's completely anonymous. As far as I know, there is no way for me to see who ticked what box, just which boxes have been ticked. Feel free to also add new things that aren't listed on the Docs yet.
I also want to state here that I'm not doing this because I am planning to push any boundaries. Just because something doesn't end up ticked, doesn't mean it will be included. This is just for me to double-check everyone will hopefully be comfortable with everything I do end up including.
If you have trouble accessing or editing the document, let me know and I'll check if I messed anything up.
A Line describes something you don't want mentioned as part of the game at all, not 'on screen' and not in the narrative background. A Veil is something you don't want to see happen 'on-screen' but that you are fine with being included in the background.
Example: Torture - For example, if someone were to have a problem with torture, they can indicate that on the sheet.
Let's say I was planning on having a torture scene in the game. I might decide to have you witness someone actually be tortured for information and describe that.
If someone indicates torture as a Veil, I would instead have the torture happen off-screen and you might just hear someone mention how the information was obtained.
If someone indicates it as a Line, there will be no mention of or allusion to torture. Instead, you might simply be told that the person gave that information out in an interrogation, maybe they cut a deal instead.
I'd like you all to check out this Google Docs and tick any boxes that apply to you. It's completely anonymous. As far as I know, there is no way for me to see who ticked what box, just which boxes have been ticked. Feel free to also add new things that aren't listed on the Docs yet.
I also want to state here that I'm not doing this because I am planning to push any boundaries. Just because something doesn't end up ticked, doesn't mean it will be included. This is just for me to double-check everyone will hopefully be comfortable with everything I do end up including.
If you have trouble accessing or editing the document, let me know and I'll check if I messed anything up.
[ +- ] Open Table Policy
While not really a Safety Tool, there is one more thing I want to say before we start:
I have been in awkward situations before where I joined a game and then discovered that it wasn't for me but then felt weird about leaving. If you end up not enjoying this game or if something happens that causes you to not have the time for it anymore, please feel free to leave anytime. I would appreciate a heads-up, with or without a reason, just so I know what's going on.
Not every game works for everyone, so if you are not enjoying a game and have lost interest, it's always a better solution (most of all for yourself), if you just leave to find something better suited rather than force yourself to stick with it out of commitment.
That said, I hope of course, that you will enjoy this game and stick with it :)
I have been in awkward situations before where I joined a game and then discovered that it wasn't for me but then felt weird about leaving. If you end up not enjoying this game or if something happens that causes you to not have the time for it anymore, please feel free to leave anytime. I would appreciate a heads-up, with or without a reason, just so I know what's going on.
Not every game works for everyone, so if you are not enjoying a game and have lost interest, it's always a better solution (most of all for yourself), if you just leave to find something better suited rather than force yourself to stick with it out of commitment.
That said, I hope of course, that you will enjoy this game and stick with it :)
Last edited July 26, 2021 6:24 pm