RPGaDay 2020 Day 15 – “Frame” #RPGADAY2020
Almost half way there… Today’s prompt is “Frame”.
Any ongoing campaign is going to have a frame to it… an idea or structured plot is going to fit within a certain series of expectations. For both the GM and the players. The balancing act that has to be maintained is that each person’s expectations overlap, so that the campaign is fulfilling for everyone involved. As a GM, it falls to the one crafting the overarching story line to yield their vision to accommodate their players more than others. But only to an extent…
It’s a delicate balance to maintain. If the GM does nothing but yield, the GM is going to hate the story before long. If the GM is rigid in the story they want to tell, they could alienate their players. The balance has to be struck with the players you have at the table and the story you want to tell. Inviting players who love combat to a game about covert ops could be frustrating for the GM and disappointing for the player. If you’re fortunate as I’ve been, where you have a lot of available players, you can find players who fit your game style, which inherently makes things simpler. But if your player pool is somewhat limited, than as a GM (and player), your level of flexibility will need to increase, so that everyone gets what they want from the experience.
Ultimately, every game has a frame that it lives within, but it needs to be adaptable. If it’s rigid, you’ll find the game disappointing and ultimately coming apart.
