Comments on: Trouble Getting Started? The Answer is a Question

By: Rudolf

Rudolf — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:19:21 +0000

I’ve heard two other ideas, that might be of interest.

1) Have campaign theme music. Of course, selecting that music is hard, but after a few sessions, playing the music is a signal that ‘we’re starting’

2) Plan a short encounter of 20-30 minutes, that can be done by half the party. This way, you can start with the people who are on time, and the latecomers will be there to reinforce when it gets harder.

(Yes, I’m assuming that some of your fellow gamers are late, and I don’t think I’m wrong about that. Staggered arrival makes this problem much worse.)

By: Rudolf

Rudolf — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:14:25 +0000

You know, I do this sometimes without even thinking about it, it’s a standard teacher trick for starting class. Works for the same reasons.

I’ve also had success with asking players to -do- things. Remember positive reinforcement works better here.

“Ok, so I’ve got two figures, that’s a good start” “Can everyone fill out an initiative card?” “Can you clean off the mat?” and so on.

By: 2008 comes to a close; The Best of At-Will

2008 comes to a close; The Best of At-Will — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:02:20 +0000

[...] Trouble Getting Started? The Answer is a Question. [...]

By: Gnome Rodeo: Evil Robots Made Me Write This in Binary - Gnome Stew, the Game Mastering Blog

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:40:42 +0000

[...] At Will, a blog I discovered via the RPG Bloggers Network, offers up a nifty article about getting any session started smoothly — and with a bang by asking your players questions. Not, “So…you guys remember what happened last [...]

By: admin

admin — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:50:55 +0000

Hi guys! Sorry for the delay getting back to you.

@Dadamh –I find it pretty helpful. Something else you can add to that are just general “icebreakers” that are appropriate for the game. Asking a question like, “What has your character done up to this point that he’s most proud of?” gets you going and again, can provide you with some great hooks for later.

@Questing GM –heh. If you try this out, would love to hear how it works!

By: Questing GM

Questing GM — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:47:06 +0000

Interesting idea. Would use it to see how it works.

Although my first question would probably be, ‘Guys, can we start now?’

By: Dadamh

Dadamh — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:39:17 +0000

We’ve had this problem in my group a number of times. I can sit there and hear the DM say “Ok guys, let’s get start- guys? Seriously stop quoting Holy Grail, it’s retar- Dude, shut up that’s not what Frodo was thinking when he kept the ring!” and then everyone starts arguing over something not even tangentially related to the game.

I wonder if this tactic would help. It’s an interesting idea in the least, to help get people to think as their characters, and would even work outside of just trying to get everyone to focus. An interesting post to say the least.