What's the best thing about tabletop roleplaying games? What element of any #TTRPG is the most emotionally satisfying, fun, or resonant? For me, it's play that falls into one of four nebulous categories.
Delightful Discovery: something new is revealed about the fiction in a satisfying way.
Dollhouse Play: playing with the fiction and rules that have been revealed; "moving the dolls around the dollhouse".
Writer's Room: creative collaborative play.
Pinpricks: targeted emotional bleed.
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Some of my most satisfying #TTRPG experiences have been when the group uncovers something surprising about the fiction. This happens most often for me in collaborative games; someone suggests some fictional element, then everyone lights up and starts riffing on it. It is absolutely the best feeling! But I'm going to put a pin in that, and move that kind of play to the "Writer's Room" category. More rare for me is experiencing "Delightful Discovery" in a more traditional, GM-led game.
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@Poljack I like the classification! Writers room doesn't happen often in our games, but when it does it's magical.
@deidungeon Thanks! I get Writer's Room satisfaction from collaborative games like #Fiasco , #PrimeTimeAdventures , and #Wanderhome .
@Poljack I'll have to try one of those if I can find some players.
@deidungeon They're a good time. Most collaborative or GM-less games do require that everyone be "on" and paying attention, though. No zoning out when it's not your turn. Wanderhome is the exception; it's such a low-key, relaxed game that it's totally fine if people don't feel like participating much.
@Poljack Sounds good!