What do players do?

I've been thinking about the things we instinctively expect new roleplayers to understand when they start playing a game. How do we describe these things to new players?

With this in mind, I'm thinking of including this at the start of Walkabout's player section...

The responsibilities of a player

A game of Walkabout is a collaborative event. Everyone needs to contribute to the session for it to run smoothly; while some participants may choose to take a more active role in the storytelling, no single person is responsible for the entertainment of everyone else.
Before the session begins
Create a character.
Discuss the types of stories you’d like to tell with the oracle and the other players.
Have a general understanding of the story’s genre conventions.
Help describe the specifics of the setting.
During a session
Contribute to the story.
Allow others to contribute to the story.
Have a general understanding of the way the rules work.
Don’t argue with the Oracle or the other players.
Maintain the flow.
After a session (and before the next one)
Provide feedback.
Develop your character.

Provide ideas for future sessions. 

These are basic section headings which will be followed by a short paragraph on how to accomplish the instruction, and why it's important to the session. A similar list with a few differences will open the GM section of the book.

The responsibilities of an Oracle

A game of Walkabout is a collaborative event. Everyone needs to contribute to the session for it to run smoothly; while some participants may choose to take a more active role in the storytelling, no single person is responsible for the entertainment of everyone else.
Before the session begins
Discuss the types of stories you’d like to tell with the oracle and the other players.
Have an understanding of the setting as accepted by the group.
Create a setting, some characters and a scenario for the wayfarers in interact with.
During a session
Feed the players with interest and variety in the plot.
Be prepared to run with the players.
Have a general understanding of the way the rules work.
Be consistent.
Maintain the flow.
After a session (and before the next one)
Contribute to the feedback.
Develop the world by building on the ideas from the session. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Guide to Geomorphs (Part 7)