2xMachina
2011-10-09, 03:45 AM
I have a theory on why PbP's die off.
1. People aren't sure to respond. For example, a spoken decision that isn't actually an action makes the DM unsure what to do. So everyone is waiting for each other, and nothing moves.
2. Posts that doesn't prompt a reaction. Both by DM and players.
Sure, railroad is bad. But total sandbox is also hard for some players. They're unsure what to do, and the game stalls. Best to use OOC to discuss possibilities of actions.
Also, for players, sitting around with nothing special to react to, might cause players to just think: I continue acting like normal since it's normal, thus there's nothing to post. The DM however, waits for the post which isn't coming, stalling the game.
3. The group should be together at the start, or have a reason to get together (something to react to). RP'ing getting together, without any obvious reason? That's hard. Would you randomly team up with to random people you meet, without actual threat? More likely, you'll go your own way. However, if there's an attack or something, forcing the players to fight together...
What do you think? Do you agree? Any other theories?
1. People aren't sure to respond. For example, a spoken decision that isn't actually an action makes the DM unsure what to do. So everyone is waiting for each other, and nothing moves.
2. Posts that doesn't prompt a reaction. Both by DM and players.
Sure, railroad is bad. But total sandbox is also hard for some players. They're unsure what to do, and the game stalls. Best to use OOC to discuss possibilities of actions.
Also, for players, sitting around with nothing special to react to, might cause players to just think: I continue acting like normal since it's normal, thus there's nothing to post. The DM however, waits for the post which isn't coming, stalling the game.
3. The group should be together at the start, or have a reason to get together (something to react to). RP'ing getting together, without any obvious reason? That's hard. Would you randomly team up with to random people you meet, without actual threat? More likely, you'll go your own way. However, if there's an attack or something, forcing the players to fight together...
What do you think? Do you agree? Any other theories?