I want the heroes to win, I want treasure to be discovered. I want the budding romance to blossom.
But I am prepared to delay my gratification in pursuit of immersion.
Why do I trust the dice to give me a better story?
Friday, August 11, 2017
I use dice when I want to break my control.
I use dice when I want to break my control.
I want the heroes to win, I want treasure to be discovered. I want the budding romance to blossom.
But I am prepared to delay my gratification in pursuit of immersion.
Why do I trust the dice to give me a better story?
I want the heroes to win, I want treasure to be discovered. I want the budding romance to blossom.
But I am prepared to delay my gratification in pursuit of immersion.
Why do I trust the dice to give me a better story?
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There is so much truth in this. People ask what the difference is between solo RP and just writing a story. The difference is that the author knows what will happen when things look bleak, but the solo gamer does not.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I know how I want it to end but want to AdLib all the way there.
ReplyDeleteLike, I know I'm going to the party but who knows what I'll be wearing? Or who goes with me.
Actually, that was never my process for creative writing, when I did it. More often than not, I didn't know what would happen until I decided it.
ReplyDeleteChad Robb The reason one might trust the dice is precisely because you want something else to run the world for you-- as much as it's possible, anyway.
For me, it's summed up here:
ReplyDeletelumpley.com - anyway: Rules vs Vigorous Creative Agreement
I want the dice to disagree with what I think is the right next step. I want them to suggest things I would never be brave enough to write down myself. I want them to surprise me.
I want the system to "create outcomes that every single person at the table would reject, yet are compelling enough that nobody actually does so."
I want to slide into the epilogue, shocked at the twists and turns, pleased and exhilarated because I managed to tie most of the dice-scattered threads together at the last moment.
I love seeing what'll happen to my hero, but the "meta game" for me isn't about gaming the mechanics, it's about gaming the story itself.
"The reason one might trust the dice is precisely because you want something else to run the world for you-- as much as it's possible, anyway."
ReplyDelete"I want the dice to disagree with what I think is the right next step. I want them to suggest things I would never be brave enough to write down myself. I want them to surprise me.
I want the system to "create outcomes that every single person at the table would reject, yet are compelling enough that nobody actually does so."
I want to slide into the epilogue, shocked at the twists and turns, pleased and exhilarated because I managed to tie most of the dice-scattered threads together at the last moment.
I love seeing what'll happen to my hero, but the "meta game" for me isn't about gaming the mechanics, it's about gaming the story itself."
Alex Yari, Tam H Nailed it.
I know what I'd like to have happen, but the dice make sure that I don't get what I want, at least not all the time, or in the way I wanted or expected. It makes the reward that much more satisfying. It makes the story about the journey as much as it does the destination.
Plus, for me, surrendering to random oracles & dice makes the results seem more "real" somehow. It makes them feel like they came from somewhere outside myself, as opposed to something I made up.
Part of it too is the thrill of the unknown. Of not knowing what's going to happen next. Of playing to find out. Of seeing things NOT go the way I expected, & figuring out how to get back on track, or how to adapt & deal with what has happened & where do I go from here?
It's funny how we want problems. In real life, we might struggle to see our real life stories as heroic or powerful but overcoming problems is how we grow.
ReplyDeleteChad Robb It is a bit of a paradox. We want to avoid difficulties, challenges, & discomfort in life, but those are the things that move us, motivate us, & give us satisfaction when overcome. Without them, stagnation.
ReplyDeleteSame is true in fiction & gaming. Without a dungeon to explore, or an evil wizard to assassinate, why WOULDN'T my character just sit in the tavern & keep drinking? ;)
Sometimes I know how I want it to end. And very occasionally, the dice let it happen.
ReplyDeleteI just like experiencing danger vicariously. That's why I used to like rollercoasters. :)
ReplyDeleteVicariously would be having someone describe the roller coaster and experiencing it through their retelling.
ReplyDeleteOr through the screams of the ride goers
Ok, wrong word choice. Think horror movies & thrillers instead. The point is that I'm not particularly interested in putting myself through the grinder in any real sense, but I like to experience the thrill anyway. What I want is the thrill without the real danger, in the same way that roller coasters provide a thrill in relatively safe conditions.
ReplyDeleteSimulation! Yeah
ReplyDelete