I just started a Dungeon World group in my dorm that I am very excited about but I am afraid some members are not taking the roleplaying seriously. I have no problem with jokes and references but some of the things being introduced are absurd. I know other members are looking for more immersive play, so how should I handle these more immature players?
I just started a Dungeon World group in my dorm that I am very excited about but I am afraid some members are not…
I just started a Dungeon World group in my dorm that I am very excited about but I am afraid some members are not…
Talk to them?
Some people aren’t comfortable role playing. Maybe talk to them about immersion and why many people prefer that style of play. Suggest that they try to support the role players and see what they can do trying it.
Or split the group into an RP group and a gonzo group and let them go play the way they want to play
Mostly: talk to them, get everyone on board about expectations and aspirations, possibly split the group up if you can’t get consensus.
There was a similar thread recently… let’s see… ah, here:
https://plus.google.com/+RebeccaHer/posts/8NK8Dv78Ykp
If all else fails, suggest two separate games – one where this continues as is with the jokes and gonzo stuff, and another for more serious roleplaying. See who bites. Maybe you’re the only one who wants to play seriously
Talk to them for sure! having all the cards on the table (so to speak) ensures no one is being misunderstood or bearing hidden grudges. I would ask the group at large how serious they want the game to be. Something on the lines of “from Monty Python to Game of Thrones, how serious are we going to be at the table?”
Read some robert asprin myth books. you can absolutely roleplay the gonzo. The tradition of D&D dw pulls from is very gonzo anyway.
your less gonzo players can play straight man in the game’s double act
Definitely talk to them. Explain to the group the type of game you are looking to run and then listen to the type of game everyone else wants to play. See of there is a way to compromise so that everyone is happy. If not make sure there are no hard feelings and split the groups up.
People want different things out of RPGs and that’s totally OK.
Put a laxative in the people’s drinks that are fooling around that’ll showem! (just joking)
My experience with gaming groups has been that the level of silly directly correlates with the type and quantity of … chemical additives that various people bring in their body to the table. You might try experimenting with hosting shortish sessions on a weeknight where there might be a greater probability of people playing with less mental alteration. No guarantee this will help, but may well change the flavor of play quite a bit. Improved short-term memory may also have the nice side effect of more interesting and coherent fictional development.
Take a short break when things get out of hand, get it out of your systems, then when you come back say ” ok serious time, how would your characters really react?”