Playing a tabletop RPG for the first time

Greetings!

Today I will talk about playing a tabletop roleplaying game for the very first time.

It might feel intimidating, especially if you feel like you are not quite sure about what you are in for. Hopefully the Dungeon Master (DM) / Game Master (GM) of your game will fill you in on the details, for example, the basic rules of the game system you are going to use (you don't need to know the rules by heart, but it helps if you have a basic understanding of them at least), and the setting you will be playing in, as well as help you with creating your character. Perhaps one or more of the other, more experienced players, can help as well.

My personal view is that if you have a new player, or players for that matter, at the table, be kind to them. Help them out until they have found their footing. They will make mistakes, they will not always know what to do, and some times you have to explain something several times before it finally clicks. But hey, we were all new at roleplaying at some point, and most of us were pestering someone else with questions. With enough support, the new players will hopefully come back and find the same love of roleplaying games as we all have. :)

And as the new player you shouldn't be afraid to ask questions if there is something you don't understand. There are NO stupid questions, it's simply a case of either you know or you don't. Don't expect everyone around the table to know every single rule by heart, but if you ask nicely they might look it up for you.

Discuss amongst yourselves what kind of genre you would like to try out. If your players are all new to tabletop roleplaying, let them make the final call. It might not turn out to be your favorite genre, but it will be a good introduction for them to play in a genre they enjoy. Next time you, as a GM, might get to pick the genre instead.

If you are a new player, and are looking for people to play with, I would suggest starting with your friends. They may not have played either, but if you know someone who has then perhaps you can get that person to DM for you. Or if no one in the group has any previous experience of tabletop roleplaying, then perhaps you can DM the first game? If you have a story you want to tell, or an idea for an adventure to send your friends out on, go right ahead! :) It takes a bit more work on your part than it does the players, but it will be well worth it in the end. Remember to make sure you know the rules of the game system you want to play in, but the books or PDF's are there for a reason so you don't need to know EVERYTHING by heart. Also remember that, no matter what the system is that you are planning on using, rules are only guidelines. They are not set in stone. If you, as the DM, see something you don't like, or if you feel like you'd like to do something a bit differently than what the rules suggest, go right ahead. It's ok. Every DM does it, more or less, depending on the DM in question. The basic rule should always be that everyone around the table should have fun, including the DM.

Another important rule for everyone to remember is that you can discuss a rule, or a situation, but in the end the DM makes the final call. This is not to be cruel to the players, but because in the case of a disagreement someone has to have final say. As a DM it can some times be a thin line to walk, and a lot comes down to the personality of the players and the DM. I think it is a good idea that you, as new players, discuss it, are aware of it and agree upon it ahead of the first gaming session, so that everyone who plays is aware of it.

If you don't really want to, or can't, play with your IRL friends for whatever reason, there are plenty of forums, and websites, online where you can meet people to play with. You won't all be sitting around a table together, but you can play online with the help of Skype for talking and a program such as MapTools for the maps and tokens. There are also other solutions such as Roll20.net, Fantasygrounds or Epictable.

I think this will do for now. I might return to this subject later at some point.

Until next time!

Why play tabletop roleplaying games?

Greetings!

Now, I know that tabletop roleplaying has had a major upswing in popularity recently, and I think that is great! Especially for one such as myself who remember playing tabletop RPGs 'back in the day' (read: mainly 90's). As a Swede it is also good seeing some of the old Swedish games coming back with new editions, such as 'Kult: Divinity lost' (Helmgast), 'Mutant Chronicles' (currently published by UK-based Modiphius), Eon (Helmgast), Mutant Year Zero (Fria Ligan / Free League Publishing), etc.

Now, I figured I would take this opportunity to discuss a bit about WHY I think everyone should play tabletop roleplaying games, or at least try it out. Some people might say "well, if I want to play an RPG I can just play it on my computer, X-Box or Playstation.", which I suppose is true. Believe me, I enjoy playing video- and computer games as well, but there is still something special about playing tabletop RPGs because it allows you to tap into your own creativity in a way that a videogame doesn't.

Let me explain: When you are playing a video game or a computer game, you see the world on the screen before you, you mash a few buttons and the monster is dead, you select one of a few options for conversation, etc, etc.

When you are playing a tabletop RPG, you are part of the story. You decide what your character says in a conversation. You decide on your character's personality and manners, and sometimes the backstory you write for your character can help influence parts of the world as well, depending on the DM (Dungeon Master) or GM (Game Master) - the person running the game session that the players' characters are in. You get to use your own creativity to paint a picture in your mind of what the world around your character looks like.
And if you are the GM / DM / whatever-it-is-called-in-your-prefered-gamesystem (I'll just stick to GM from now on in this post, for simplicity's sake), you get to use your creativity to create the world, and to describe it to your players as you guide them on their adventures.

I should probably point out that if you as a GM is willing to do it, allowing your players to take part in creating the world they are in, through their characters' backstories for example, can be really rewarding, both for you and your players. Though for first-time players it might be easier if the GM creates the world him- or herself.

Playing tabletop RPGs are a fun way to do something creative together with your friends, or even your kids. It doesn't have to be about slaying demons or dragons. There are plenty of roleplaying games out there that are aimed at kids - for example: "The Princess Kingdom", "No Thank You, Evil!" or the swedish RPG "Tassar & Morrhår" - and even if you don't use one of those, you as the GM decide what happens in the world, and can homebrew the rules of whichever system you want to use to fit younger players. Never feel tied down by a specific setting or system. Instead I would encourage you to adapt the world you create to the players you have availiable and what kind of game you all like to play together.

Remember, playing a tabletop RPG should be a fun experience that you share with your friends or family members. All ages can join in, and enjoy it. :) It is a fun, social experience which, at least in my experience, can serve up dramatic moments, tense moments, and laughter, all in one game session.

Playing tabletop roleplaying games helps you train your creative thinking, thinking on your feet, imagination, problem solving, storytelling ability, team-play, improvisational skills, and many other skills. It can even help people combat their shyness. They get go play a character, which effectively acts as a mask, which allows them to feel less vulnerable when they face various social situations in the game. They are also surrounded by friends and/or family around the same table, so they also have that comfort while they play and deal with the social situations in-game.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with being shy. I have been shy on occasion as well. But tabletop roleplaying can offer some help if you want to try and get a bit less shy in social situations.

If no one in the group has played a game before, discuss what kind of game you would all like to play for your first try, and then do some research into what games exist in that genre. It does help, of course, if at least one member of the group is a bit more experienced - preferably taking on the role of the GM. But if not, then keep it simple for the first attempt. Just make a short, simple adventure for the players to go on, and then build from there.

I might return to this subject at some point in a later post, but for now I think this will do.