Narrative Control - Episode 50

Narrative Control

Hi, welcome back to Narrative Control. It’s our 50th show! Commence fanfare now! This episode is another response to a post from Rob Donoghue. Why I try not to go to 11?Hosts: Sean Nittner and Eric FattigLength: 37:21Show Notes[00:27] Intro to the show. We’re 50![00:47] I remember the excitement of my first con. I want to bring it to you at Big Bad Con[01:17] Intro to the show. Why I try not to go to 11? By Rob Donoghue[02:29] Excerpt from Rob’s post[03:11] One of my favorite games to run is “The Gift” , which is all about instigating conflict. [04:13] This came to our attention because of a Fiasco game we were in. 4-Ever “I don’t think these guys really have it.” Our outcomes were really mediocre but we loved it![08:02] We sustained excitement throughout the game because our victories were so minor (in comparison to other Fiasco games) but so important to our characters.[08:57] No murder and no sex in this game… it was downright puritanical for Fiasco.[09:29] Other Fiasco games where we have slapped on gratuitous violence and sex and it always feels slapped on and artificial.[11:50] Player egos get involved. Feeling like you need to impress the others at the table.[12:06] This happened in a Burning Wheel game (in the Burning Warcraft game) where the stakes got blow out of proportion. [14:14] NPCs that go to 11? The quickly become one-dimensional and they are hard to scale back down.[19:09] Players that go to 11? Become “that guy” who always goes over the top, or has the same reaction. Makes it hard for your character to grow.[20:41] Gaming is about what you are going to do in a situation. If you’ll do the same thing every time, what is the point of putting you in that situation. [23:24] Sean’s regrets having the “crazy” character.[25:42] Some games really push towards conflict, like Burning Wheel. The 24 Effect! We become immune to 11.[29:30] Dig a little deeper into the system and into the characters by taking a break from the game and reviewing the character’s beliefs. Ask the questions, what do you think should happen next?[30:59] Re-evaluate the stakes of your conflicts. If they feel over the top, consider bringing them back down to a personal level.[33:06] I think you know it when you’ve crossed the line. You feel less confident in your actions, they seem farfetched. [34:05] Its okay if you’re doing something over the top to stop, rewind a bit and dial the stakes down a bit.[34:36] Apocalypse World says in the text “you should act like your character is a real person.”[36:06] Closing: Why not go to 11? To make the characters feel more real. To highlight their moments of awesome. To keep them from becoming one dimensional.Continue the Conversation... Here