motivation in tabletop rpg
TRANSCRIPT
MOTIVATIONin a Pen & Paper RPG Campaign
“The essence of a role-playing game is that it is a group, cooperative experience.”
Gary Gygax (1938 - 2008)
GAME MASTERProviding the world
Knowing the adventureKnowing and adjusting the rules
Setting the stageControlling the flow of information
Setting the paceProviding the action
Determining outcomesEnding things
Propelling the world ever forwardDiscouraging metagame thinking
Running the Game
MOTIVATION
1. a reason or reasonsfor doing something.
2. desire to do something; enthusiasm.
Definition
PLAYER’SMOTIVATORS
CONVIVIALITYEXOTICISM
FRIENDS
ADVENTURE
CHALLENGE
FREEDOM
Intrinsic Motivation
HEROISM
UNEXPECTED
FUN Hard FunChallenge, Mastery, Strategy.
Easy FunCuriosity, Creativity,Role play.
Serious FunMeaning, Value, Therapy.
People FunSocial bonds, Team work,
Competition.
4 Keys 2 Fun
KNOWING THE PLAYERS 1/3
The OptimizerThe Brawler
The Tactician
GAMEPLAY
The StylistThe ActorThe Storyteller
Profiles
ROLEPLAY
HARDFUN
EASYFUN
PEOPLE FUN
Player 1
Player 2
Player 3
Player 4
Player 5
Optimizer
Brawler
Tactician
Stylist
Actor
Storyteller
The Optimizerwants a collection of
powers optimized for the acquisition of more
powers. The Brawlerwants plenty of chances
to prove his character superiority over all who
would challenge him.
The Tacticianwants a regulate world in which the quality of his choices determines his success of failure.The Stylist
wants to play a unique and strongly stylized
character.
The Actorbases his decisions on
his understanding of his character's psychology.
The Storytellerwants to take part in a fun narrative that feels like a book or a movie.
ROLEPLAY
GAMEPLAYGAMEPLAY
ROLEPLAY
KNOWING THE PLAYERS 2/3
Likes and Dislikes
KNOWING THE PLAYERS 3/3
GAMEPLAY
ROLEPLAY
Team Profile
CHARACTER’SMOTIVATORS 1/3
FearGreed
Revenge
Need
MoralityAnger
Curiosity
Extrinsic Motivation
Power
CHARACTER’S MOTIVATORS 2/3
Health
PreservationMeaning
Success, Wealth
Progress, Improvement
Needs
CHARACTER’S MOTIVATORS 3/3
Morality
KNOWING THECHARACTERS
MOTIVATORS
NEEDS
MORALITY
BASIC STATISTICSStrong pointsWeak points
GOOD STRUCTURE
CHOICES
DIFFERENT SORTS OF ENCOUNTERS
EXCITING EVENTS
ENCOUNTERS THAT MAKE USE OF PCs ABILITIES
BAD STRUCTURE
LEADING THE PCs BY THE NOSE
PCs AS SPECTATORS
DEUS EX MACHINA
PREEMPTING THE PCs ABILITIES
WHAT CAN RUINS PLAYER’S MOTIVATION ?
Bad luckGive opportunities to shine without hazard interference.
FrustrationMake sure each player gets to make his own decisions.
UselessnessMake sure everyone gets his heyday.
BoredomIdentify each player aspirations.
Lack of respectSet table rules.
SuspicionBe fair and trustworthy.
Love or birthThat’s beyond your expertise.
THANK YOU
Dungeon Master Guide v.3.5 - Monte Cook4 Keys 2 Fun - XEODesignRobin’s Laws of Good Gamemastering - Robin Laws
Special thanks to my tabletop mates
Design Academy 2.0 - [email protected]