Your Introduction to Gamersplane and PBP

Apr 27, 2022 8:16 am

Jabes.plays.RPG says:

Shouldn't more of us carry this torch though?

Yeah. I have been thinking about it in the background since the 'retirement party', wondering what simple system to use, been considering Escape From Dyno Island, and a few others. Not everyone is into playing kids, so maybe we can offer a variety of games and GMs when people need them.

Adam

Apr 27, 2022 9:06 am

Antiproduct and I tried running one. It took three months to finish one instance (47 posts). Bowl makes it look easy.

Apr 27, 2022 9:21 am

Mine tend to devolve into full-on, long-term games. The discipline of keeping them short and to the point is challenging. :(

bowlofspinach

Apr 27, 2022 12:43 pm

Quote:

I've been meaning to follow one of bowl's tutorial games (they're public, right?) to maybe copy or adapt the GP-teaching framework but just never got around to it.

They're not public. I figured that not every newcomer might want their first attemp to be a spectacle for everyone to observe.
But I can invite you into the game and let you have a look at my notes and setup.

Quote:

Antiproduct and I tried running one. It took three months to finish one instance (47 posts). Bowl makes it look easy.

Mine was usually around 30-35 posts in length with some outliers in both directions.

Jabes.plays.RPG

Apr 27, 2022 1:03 pm

Quote:

They're not public. I figured that not every newcomer might want their first attemp to be a spectacle for everyone to observe.

Good point.

Quote:

But I can invite you into the game and let you have a look at my notes and setup

Yes, please!

McButterpants

Apr 27, 2022 1:06 pm

A big Thank You from me for running me through a session. I figured it must be tough to run it a number of times. Please don't feel bad about stepping back. That was a lot to put on your shoulders. You should be proud that you introduced 50÷ people to PbP.

Apr 28, 2022 1:28 am

Yes, your introductory game wa a huge achievement, bowl! You did a lot of good for new members and the community as a whole.

Apr 28, 2022 1:39 am

Jabes.plays.RPG says:

Shouldn't more of us carry this torch though? I've been meaning to follow one of bowl's tutorial games (they're public, right?) to maybe copy or adapt the GP-teaching framework but just never got around to it.

Many hands make light work. What if, instead of one amazing GM like bowl, we had many okay GMs like me taking turns running a short game for 1-3 people. We could prepare the resources, both RPG maps, NPC images, stats, etc. as well as templates for safety tools and forums. We make that public to anyone who wants to run it.

I mentioned this framework on the discord, but it could be easily adapted or changed:

[ +- ] The Wealthy Merchant

People could run it in various systems, although this particular framework might be best for d20 fantasy systems. We could run two people at a time - might take longer for two new people to arrive but then you have the added benefit of meeting another user in a game.

It might also serve as a good first adventure for new GMs to run. If we had more GMs confident to run games, then we'd have more games!

Apr 28, 2022 1:53 am

Len says:

... might take longer for two new people to arrive ...

The problem comes when new players have to wait before they can start a Tutorial game and learn the ropes. I would try find a system that works well enough for one at a time, right when they arrive.

Either way, we might need to make it clear that this is not a requirement before joining 'real' games. :)

Apr 28, 2022 2:38 am

vagueGM says:

The problem comes when new players have to wait before they can start a Tutorial game and learn the ropes. I would try find a system that works well enough for one at a time, right when they arrive.

If there was too long a delay, perhaps we could get a community member to jump in to ride shotgun alongside the new player. I don't think I've ever seen a D&D game that didn't have to turn players away. Although a 1 on 1 game has the advantage of immediacy, playing with a party has advantages too. Some people are coming to the site looking for that experience, and you get to know more people on the site. If you end up playing beside an experienced player, you can learn from watching them. The experienced player would need to make sure not to post too fast or take the spotlight, but could be instrumental in moving the game forward if it stalls or whatnot.

vagueGM says:

Either way, we might need to make it clear that this is not a requirement before joining 'real' games. :)

Yeah, these would be presented as opportunities available to new players.

Apr 28, 2022 2:51 am

Len says:

... too long a delay, perhaps we could get a community member to jump in to ride shotgun ...

Yes. That would be helpful. Having a group of helpful players already on hand to fill in as needed would be good.

Len says:

... playing with a party has advantages ...

It does sorta depend on what we are trying to teach. If it is mainly about using the site or PbP, then those advantages are diminished. If it is about learning what RPGs are, then they could be a distraction, especially at first.

Len says:

... moving the game forward if it stalls ...

I fear we might be falling into the trap I tend towards. These are not meant to be games that can continue. Once the player has learned what they need it should stall out.

Qralloq

Apr 28, 2022 2:53 am

Great minds. I was saying to Bowl that I'd probably set up a 1:1 (D&D5e) Tutorial framework this weekend. If a community grouping of GMs is willing to band together, then I'd join that.

Apr 28, 2022 3:14 am

vagueGM says:

I fear we might be falling into the trap I tend towards. These are not meant to be games that can continue. Once the player has learned what they need it should stall out.

Absolutely. I've fallen into that trap too. I'd prefer if the game ended in a decisive and satisfying manner rather than stalling out though. A short and sweet adventure with a clear end that covers the basics of the game - make a plan, roll a skill, talk with an NPC, fight something.

We could create a list of goals for pbp / gp as well. Use the dice roller, learn about bbcode options, etc.

Qralloq says:

Great minds. I was saying to Bowl that I'd probably set up a 1:1 (D&D5e) Tutorial framework this weekend. If a community grouping of GMs is willing to band together, then I'd join that.

Awesome, let's gather others and talk more :)

Apr 28, 2022 3:37 am

I made a game to discuss this project further, open to anyone who wants to talk more about and contribute to this project.

https://gamersplane.com/games/3549/

Apr 28, 2022 3:47 am

So, that is a DnD tutorial rather than a GP or PbP tutorial?

Apr 28, 2022 4:01 am

If it's any good it'll be all three. The goal of this specific project would be to build a framework of an adventure that people could run in fantasy d20 system that would introduce people to playing on GP.

bowlofspinach

Apr 28, 2022 4:03 am

I know this is influenced by my biases (and it's also a case of praising myself), but I liked that the tutorial/introduction to the site was not D&D(-like). It's a nudge for people to consider a different system and setting.

Also, by running it in D&D, you have to deal with combat

Apr 28, 2022 4:10 am

bowlofspinach says:

... I liked that the tutorial/introduction to the site was not D&D(-like). It's a nudge for people to consider a different system and setting.

Agreed. There is already so much DnD out there.

bowlofspinach says:

... Also, by running it in D&D, you have to deal with combat

And the rather complicated character creation or selection, and all the little crazinesses that DnD brings along with it.

But mainly the 'don't assume RPG = DnD' part.

Apr 28, 2022 5:15 am