Homework

It’s no secret that Game Masters put in some time towards their campaign when they’re not at the table. But for players, any effort outside the table is often viewed as “homework.” This week I’m looking at the common opinions and types of player homework I’ve dealt with in my gaming history.

For This I Stopped Going To School?

In primary school through high school, most players were willing to sacrifice scholastic work in favor of writing about their character or the campaign. Free time was freer for many of us. As real life picked up much of that free time was lost and many gamers don’t feel they have time to think about the campaign beyond their time at the table. Even the players who want to carve out time for “off time” thoughts, can be distracted by life.

Hashtag Not All Players, of course. Some players dive into a campaign and spend as much, if not more, time than their GM. Others do make some time to write about their characters, or purchase/produce artwork. There are always shades of gray. However, more often than not, as I’ve seen in my thirties and beyond, those players are fewer the more life and job responsibilities accrue.

Character Creation

As a GM this has happened to me on more than one occasion. The first (and often second or third) game night of a new campaign is more about character creation. Sometimes this is due to the collaborative nature of a game, but more often then not, players have given little thought of their potential character until that first gaming night. How “ready” a player is with their character is usually a good indication of how willing or able they are to put energy into the campaign outside of the game night.

Character Journals and Art

The campaigns I create often include long arcs woven with mysteries for the players to solve and I encourage my players to keep journals. I usually also ask for players to provide at least one picture (not necessarily original art as it can be a still from a TV show, movie, or video game) to represent their character. The latter will often be added during the character creation night(s) of play, but often the task of keeping notes is treated like the task of mapping a dungeon—only performed by one player during the course of the session.

Supplemental Play and/or Play By Post

Thanks to the ubiquity of the Internet and numerous social networking options, supplemental play can occur outside of “game night.” Some campaigns don’t even have a specific night, focusing on play by post for all the adventures. While I have heard of long-lasting and engaging campaigns with almost daily play-by-post, these stories are largely anecdotal for me. I’ve not been part of any supplemental play or play by post/forum game that’s lasted more than a handful of months. The moment a player loses interested or is called away from the virtual table, it’s a rarity that they return and, as a recession of players occurs, the campaign (or supplemental play) dwindles down.

Bribery Is Not Foolproof

Many GMs offer perks for players who put an effort into gameplay outside of the table. These perks vary by GM and game but can include XP, Fate/Plot Points, roll bonuses, or re-roll options. I’ve noticed, however, that the players incentivized by these rewards are often those who would participate in non-table time, regardless. For players who produce something between every game because they have the time, players who do not have the time to contribute may feel punished by virtue of their own busy lifestyle. I advocate rewarding creativity outside of the table, but it’s important that any sort of “reward” can also be gained by those who contribute during table play.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

While it often gives GM a warm, fuzzy feeling when players focus on the game outside of the table, it’s OK that players don’t do their “homework,” and it should not be treated as mandatory towards a game. If players continually show up for a game, it means you’re doing something right as a GM. Thanks to the Internet there is no case where the GM is the only game in town and these players are choosing to make the time out of their life for at least the primary method of play. For play-by-post GMs, this may mean a few false starts as you find the right players who have the time to dedicate.

Well, Duh

So, why am I writing all of this? As my new campaign is ramping up, I’m writing this primarily to remind myself that it’s OK if my players don’t seem as engaged in the campaign as I am. And, as a player, I also don’t put in the energy into a game that I do as a GM even if I mean to. Hopefully, writing to remind myself of this will also remind and re-affirm other GMs.