Playing it right

Well, I have hit a stone wall (or is that a duracrete wall?) in regards to the Star Wars Saga Theatres of War campaign. It’s been flagging for more than a while now, I was starting to worry and then I heard back from two players, one current and one prospective, that they wouldn’t be able to play.

So, as you can see if you read the post, this sistuation made me seriously re-consider if the game was worth pursing. I still want to run it, but what’s the point if the players don’t want to? If it does end there, I am going to move is, more than likely to the Giant in the Playground Forums.

I asked this question, of a sorts, not that long ago on Gnome Stew. This was about a real-life game, yet this is the first time I have had to consider actually pulling a campaign due to the lack of interest.

So when should you make that decision? And why is it so hard?

Knowing When to Fold ‘Em

It should become apparent, to a GM anyway, when the only one who continues to want to do the campaign is the GM. There are hints less subtle than the one at left.

While going off the rails once in a while can be rather creative, going off on a tangent and being determined to keep on that tangent which branches onto subsequent tangents that have no ryme or reason.

Or alternately, there’s just players who will sit around in the tavern all game session and make bad puns. Did these eyes actually come to game?

I guess this sort of thing would be more apparent in real life than online, but online it takes things a little longer to become apparent. And every online game that I have been nvolved in (barring one) has ended up like this.

The right apporach, of course, would be to be up front with the players. Explain to them that you have considered throwing the campaign in, and see what they think. They may even want to continue, though in that case you may wish to re-orient it somewhat.

But, if there’s a consensus to abandon, it just has to happen.

Loving It Too Much

It’s a key difference between experience and inexperienced writers. Experienced writers realise that what they have is a work in progress and can be changed or even abandoned. Inexperienced writers not only love their story to death, but defend it with a drawn sword and refuse to change one iota of it. And if you dare criticise their Elf Princess (I am looking at you, Paolini!).

The same sort of thing can occur with a campaign, it’s yours and you are loathe to part with it. But it doesn’t mean it has to be shelved permanantly. With Theatres of War, if it goes how I think it does I will end up moving it.

And face the prospect of having it wind down again.

Such is life.

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~ by katanageldar on March 8, 2010.