Best way to make game exiting is controversy. - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Best way to make game exiting is controversy.

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
lollipop4598
Mar 23, 2009 12:55:17 I was thinking of a game that somehow includes enough real world hot button topics(in a slightly obscure manner) that it makes the game a bit more exciting, and enjoyable for more of my friends. Not just those that like a 'typical' game. Now I am NOT suggesting we here discuss those bad things, but some ideas about infusing a game with stuff like gay marriage, the current economic climate(especially retirement woes), and wars, terrorism and such can be made a part of the campaign. In a way that can't be ignored. Avoiding the very most sensitive things perhaps. Any ideas on how to make a campaign where topics like that have to be dealt with?
#2
bardiques
Mar 23, 2009 13:03:19 You can use racism to a fantastic degree in a fantasy setting. Social interactions, religion, difference of beliefs, ect.. You can take the stereotypical Elf vs Dwarf biased and really blow it up. War, murder, spitting in each others faces, sacrifices to various deities in return for favors. You could say that Dragonborn and Tiefling are hated for their ancient Empires so much that they are pretty much ostracized wherever they go, and have to constantly struggle against prejudiced and the like to achieve anything.

That's one example I can think of at the moment.
#3
stompie5
Mar 23, 2009 13:20:28 Is this for a DnD game? Or do are you talking about inventing your own game with this stuff?
#4
lollipop4598
Mar 23, 2009 20:52:38
You can use racism to a fantastic degree in a fantasy setting. Social interactions, religion, difference of beliefs, ect.. You can take the stereotypical Elf vs Dwarf biased and really blow it up. War, murder, spitting in each others faces, sacrifices to various deities in return for favors. You could say that Dragonborn and Tiefling are hated for their ancient Empires so much that they are pretty much ostracized wherever they go, and have to constantly struggle against prejudiced and the like to achieve anything.

That's one example I can think of at the moment.

Hmm. Yes, race has come up in the games previously, so its more doable. I I thought about ostracizing a player(hopefully one who could take it). But then I keep thinking, how much do I know about racism myself. I had not really thought about nationalism. Thats maybe better. Maybe even best done with two nice races like elves and dwarves(although I don't have an elf to work with). Especially if I can figure out excellent reasons for them to hate each other and make sure the problem between them is practically unresolvable. I suppose I can provide enough incentives for characters of two races to have problems with each other.
#5
gregt_314
Mar 23, 2009 20:54:31 Best way to make a game exiting is doorknobs. They're well tested and people know how to use them. Some GMs prefer windows and they can be pretty good if you're in a hurry but for most players the best exit will be through the door.
#6
crossroads_wanderer
Mar 23, 2009 20:55:57 I think that you should be careful about singling out a single player for trouble. It may make the player feel personally insulted. If your game is supposed to be all about "how can I make the players feel miserable" I would make sure first that your players are willing to play that kind of game.
#7
lollipop4598
Mar 23, 2009 20:56:22
Is this for a DnD game? Or do are you talking about inventing your own game with this stuff?

Yes, I would say its still D&D.
#8
lollipop4598
Mar 23, 2009 21:05:42
I think that you should be careful about singling out a single player for trouble. It may make the player feel personally insulted. If your game is supposed to be all about "how can I make the players feel miserable" I would make sure first that your players are willing to play that kind of game.

Yes. You are very correct. I am aware that there are a lot of ways this could become less then pleasant. In fact it should be less then pleasant. But its understood that this will touch down in some harsh places. But if the game goes how I think, the players that have the easiest time in the start will be different then those who have the easiest time in the end. Everyone said they want something different and more realistic. That in my opinion is real life. Its uneven.
I think what I will do is make two outlines. One with the aforementioned doors and escape hatches, one with some very real world trouble. If it becomes too much, we will switch.
So if anyone has an idea a current problem and a way to work it into a game setting, or even just any idea on the topic. I want to do something different, so I appreciate the notes of caution, but I m already aware of this.
#9
lollipop4598
Mar 23, 2009 21:48:51 What about a band of soldiers of revolutionaries of some sort cut off or abandoned by their army after the finish of a war in a hostile population? Can I start a game like that? Sorry, I have never done this before. Is it possible with a D&D setting? Or do I have to start in some darn tavern?
#10
crossroads_wanderer
Mar 23, 2009 21:50:56 It's happened before in real life, I would imagine you could do the same in D&D.
#11
lollipop4598
Mar 23, 2009 22:01:06 Ok. So it is OK to start behind enemy lines. Thanks.
OK. They can be in communication with their superiors, who unknown to them want to sacrifice them. Lets see...maybe I can keep a score of the PC's who kill without it being absolutely necessary, and have that reflected in how the locals treat them and whom they attack first. Thats a start. So if it is an organized society the locals will try to attack them in ever greater numbers and with more power as they prove to be more of a threat, unless they are incognito.
btw...Ok.. is a war devil the same as pit fiend? I can't seem to find any mention of this war devil creature. Are they a brazen devil?
#12
pigknight
Mar 24, 2009 0:44:47 I'd like to say inb4lock.

I see a dark future for this thread.
#13
lollipop4598
Mar 24, 2009 4:49:24
I'd like to say inb4lock.

I see a dark future for this thread.

Well, I didn't expect too much from this. I just thought Id give it a shot to see if it was totally useless.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 lollipop4598 Mar 23, 2009 12:55:17	I was thinking of a game that somehow includes enough real world hot button topics(in a slightly obscure manner) that it makes the game a bit more exciting, and enjoyable for more of my friends. Not just those that like a 'typical' game. Now I am NOT suggesting we here discuss those bad things, but some ideas about infusing a game with stuff like gay marriage, the current economic climate(especially retirement woes), and wars, terrorism and such can be made a part of the campaign. In a way that can't be ignored. Avoiding the very most sensitive things perhaps. Any ideas on how to make a campaign where topics like that have to be dealt with?
#2 bardiques Mar 23, 2009 13:03:19	You can use racism to a fantastic degree in a fantasy setting. Social interactions, religion, difference of beliefs, ect.. You can take the stereotypical Elf vs Dwarf biased and really blow it up. War, murder, spitting in each others faces, sacrifices to various deities in return for favors. You could say that Dragonborn and Tiefling are hated for their ancient Empires so much that they are pretty much ostracized wherever they go, and have to constantly struggle against prejudiced and the like to achieve anything. That's one example I can think of at the moment.
#3 stompie5 Mar 23, 2009 13:20:28	Is this for a DnD game? Or do are you talking about inventing your own game with this stuff?
#4 lollipop4598 Mar 23, 2009 20:52:38	You can use racism to a fantastic degree in a fantasy setting. Social interactions, religion, difference of beliefs, ect.. You can take the stereotypical Elf vs Dwarf biased and really blow it up. War, murder, spitting in each others faces, sacrifices to various deities in return for favors. You could say that Dragonborn and Tiefling are hated for their ancient Empires so much that they are pretty much ostracized wherever they go, and have to constantly struggle against prejudiced and the like to achieve anything. That's one example I can think of at the moment. Hmm. Yes, race has come up in the games previously, so its more doable. I I thought about ostracizing a player(hopefully one who could take it). But then I keep thinking, how much do I know about racism myself. I had not really thought about nationalism. Thats maybe better. Maybe even best done with two nice races like elves and dwarves(although I don't have an elf to work with). Especially if I can figure out excellent reasons for them to hate each other and make sure the problem between them is practically unresolvable. I suppose I can provide enough incentives for characters of two races to have problems with each other.
#5 gregt_314 Mar 23, 2009 20:54:31	Best way to make a game exiting is doorknobs. They're well tested and people know how to use them. Some GMs prefer windows and they can be pretty good if you're in a hurry but for most players the best exit will be through the door.
#6 crossroads_wanderer Mar 23, 2009 20:55:57	I think that you should be careful about singling out a single player for trouble. It may make the player feel personally insulted. If your game is supposed to be all about "how can I make the players feel miserable" I would make sure first that your players are willing to play that kind of game.
#7 lollipop4598 Mar 23, 2009 20:56:22	Is this for a DnD game? Or do are you talking about inventing your own game with this stuff? Yes, I would say its still D&D.
#8 lollipop4598 Mar 23, 2009 21:05:42	I think that you should be careful about singling out a single player for trouble. It may make the player feel personally insulted. If your game is supposed to be all about "how can I make the players feel miserable" I would make sure first that your players are willing to play that kind of game. Yes. You are very correct. I am aware that there are a lot of ways this could become less then pleasant. In fact it should be less then pleasant. But its understood that this will touch down in some harsh places. But if the game goes how I think, the players that have the easiest time in the start will be different then those who have the easiest time in the end. Everyone said they want something different and more realistic. That in my opinion is real life. Its uneven. I think what I will do is make two outlines. One with the aforementioned doors and escape hatches, one with some very real world trouble. If it becomes too much, we will switch. So if anyone has an idea a current problem and a way to work it into a game setting, or even just any idea on the topic. I want to do something different, so I appreciate the notes of caution, but I m already aware of this.
#9 lollipop4598 Mar 23, 2009 21:48:51	What about a band of soldiers of revolutionaries of some sort cut off or abandoned by their army after the finish of a war in a hostile population? Can I start a game like that? Sorry, I have never done this before. Is it possible with a D&D setting? Or do I have to start in some darn tavern?
#10 crossroads_wanderer Mar 23, 2009 21:50:56	It's happened before in real life, I would imagine you could do the same in D&D.
#11 lollipop4598 Mar 23, 2009 22:01:06	Ok. So it is OK to start behind enemy lines. Thanks. OK. They can be in communication with their superiors, who unknown to them want to sacrifice them. Lets see...maybe I can keep a score of the PC's who kill without it being absolutely necessary, and have that reflected in how the locals treat them and whom they attack first. Thats a start. So if it is an organized society the locals will try to attack them in ever greater numbers and with more power as they prove to be more of a threat, unless they are incognito. btw...Ok.. is a war devil the same as pit fiend? I can't seem to find any mention of this war devil creature. Are they a brazen devil?
#12 pigknight Mar 24, 2009 0:44:47	I'd like to say inb4lock. I see a dark future for this thread.
#13 lollipop4598 Mar 24, 2009 4:49:24	I'd like to say inb4lock. I see a dark future for this thread. Well, I didn't expect too much from this. I just thought Id give it a shot to see if it was totally useless.