Summary
The latest discussion centers on the concept of player agency in role-playing games, questioning whether it should always be considered sacrosanct. The hosts explore the implications of player agency, particularly in scenarios where a character's control is compromised, such as through mind control or when a game master dictates a character's emotions. They argue that while player agency is important, there are instances where limiting it can enhance the narrative experience, especially in horror-themed games where losing agency can heighten tension.
The conversation also touches on the traditional dungeon crawl as a common entry point for new players. The hosts debate its effectiveness, suggesting that while dungeons provide a structured environment that can help players learn the mechanics of role-playing, they may also limit creative expression. They emphasize the importance of setting expectations and discussing the type of game being played to ensure that all players are on the same page regarding agency and narrative direction.
In conclusion, the hosts express excitement about exploring new games, including Urban Shadows, which offers a flexible approach to character abilities and emphasizes narrative-driven play. They encourage listeners to reflect on their own experiences with player agency and dungeon crawls, inviting feedback on these topics.
Show Notes
Episode Synopsis
Paul and Dusey ask and answer: is player agency always sacrosanct? Should every new roleplayer start in a dungeon? Did Tolkien know how to name women and did he care? And why everything in every game, table and session is a trade-off. Plus talk about The Slow Knife and Urban Shadows.
Weird Terminology and Acronyms
Bleed: The spillover of emotions between character and player.
DungeonTube: The ecosystem of YouTube creators who make videos about D&D and other RPGs.
Flags/Flagging: An indication of a player’s interests, or disinterests, at the table. An explicit character motivation or goal, a belief, a very high skill, a character class, really anything at all that tells the table “I want this” or, perhaps “I do not want this.”
LARP: Live Action Role Play. Once again we direct you toward Wikipedia for more information. It’s an incredibly rich, complex body of work! IGRC is far more interested in the Nordic larp tradition than other forms.
OSR: Old School Revolution/Revival/Renaissance. Our definition will probably start fights, so go to Wikipedia for a hopefully more neutral take.
PbtA: Powered by the Apocalypse, the meta-platform pseudo-concept not-a-license game design framework that arose with the publication of Apocalypse World.
Player agency: A player’s authority over their character’s actions and feelings at the table.
Trad: A conventional RPG with a central facilitator with control over the world, players with control over their characters, resolution systems mostly concerned with material outcomes, frequently focused on tactical combat. Modern Mythology has a good article that differs from this a little but is still worth reading.
X-Card/Safety: You don’t know everything about everyone at the table, and sometimes subject matter or play style can be upsetting in a way the participants did not opt in for. John Stavropolous created the X-Card, one of the first explicit safety tools. The Indie Game Reading Club has also covered safety.
Games and RPG products referred to in this episode.
These are affiliate links to DriveThruRPG, where hopefully we can earn enough pennies to defray the cost of acquiring these games. The Indie Game Reading Club does not accept free or promotional copies of games! If it’s not available in PDF from DriveThruRPG, we link to the publishers or retailers where the games are available.
Apocalypse World
Avatar Legends
Blades in the Dark
Cowboy Bebop
Dragonbane
Escape the Dark Castle
Fire in the Lake (COIN)
John Company
Masks: A New Generation
Monsterhearts
Mothership
Mutant: Year Zero
Stonetop
Tenra Bansho Zero
The Burning Wheel
The Slow Knife
Torchbearer
Urban Shadows
Wanderhome
Zombie World
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