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Less Exposition, More Demolition! (Extended) (Patreon)

Published:
2024-03-28 22:02:47
Imported:
2026-06
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Videos

Content

Sorry. The earlier post was locked. Here's the video, and I think it's one of my best. Happy Easter to all who celebrate. If I am slow to respond, it's because I need a rest. Thanks for all you support. --PDM

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Less Exposition

Comments

Chad Wilkerson

Aw, yisss! It opened right up this time. ❤️

MrGunn

Bagel???

NØKKEN_WAITS

This is great! I'm going to be running a shadowdark one shot for a new group soon, and this gave me lots to chew on.

Jeff Jones

I like starting games in media res.

Don Bakke

I really do appreciate the advice given in this video. My games can certainly use this approach. My challenge is that I have players who *will* complain about being rail-roaded. If anything happens to them because I wrote it into the story for the sake of cinematics or speeding up game play, they balk and give me some skill, feature, feat, or general "this is how I would have prevented that" explanation to counter the situation.

Stefan

Thanks for the reminder/advice, sometimes when playing with new players I find myself talking too much at the beginning of the game, and with new players that might be even worse, seasoned players would likely call me out on that. maybe I’ll set a timer for myself at the beginning.

Drago Russo

Great video. This is how all of the AL games should be written. After running another 10 AL games during GaryCon, yeah I am crazy, I have learned that they put too much stuff in the module that you cannot fit into 4 hours. They also have long call to actions. In media res will be my mantra when I write my own. Thank you as always.

Jay
>>133648169

@Don Bakke, Here is my two cents for what its worth. Such discourteous behavior toward the Game Master (Host) should be admonished from the get-go. Perhaps, reminding your players you are taking considerable time and resources to provide the gaming experience for them. The least they can do is be appreciative and flexible. Furthermore, the situations you set up are to provide excitement and conflict so that the players might enjoy a more cinematic if not exhilarating experience. Solving the conflict is where the fun and imagination comes in. If they don't appreciate your style and their feedback isn't helpful I recommend getting new players. Such arguments form any player might also be indicative of how poorly they might GM a session so that would also be out in my book. As someone who typically attempts to be a devils advocate on some TTRPG videos in order to provoke thought in a constructive way, I would NEVER do so when someone has taken on the burden of GM. Being polite to the host and addressing anything constructively after a session might be a better course of action if it is even needed. Yet, I still wouldn't even to that. Its important to be both courteous and polite to the host or hosts. The game meant is to have fun and that is what the players should focus on. Being a basic bitch about the way the GM handles the game is just wrong in my humble opinion. Best wishes with your players and happy gaming.

Paul Zinke

Awesome video! Advice that everyone can use. I love the examples that you gave, especially with them being from different genres. A timer... certainly going to try that myself. The "5 Minute Intro Challenge!"

Jay

PDM, weather one calls it "Railroading" or explains it away as a starting point as directed by the GM is simply a question of semantics. In this case, you won't get any disagreement from me. I recall one of your fist videos that explained putting players in to the the action as quickly as possible immediately gets things exciting and moving forward. This one only adds to that. This one is a great video with solid advice. I give it a 10 out of 10 for cutting to the chase. Keep up the great work.

Justin Watson

While acknowledging your criticism as 💯 valid, I still love Dune ‘84 with all my heart. Sure, new Dune is great, but y’all kids will never know what it’s like when Usul no longer needs the weirding module.

Don Bakke
>>133648169

Good points for most player groups. These are teenagers who are on the autistic spectrum, and friends of my son, so I cut them a little slack.

James M Spahn

One of the things I to make world building both faster and something my players more invested in is that when I present a location, I'll do something like: "You arrive at the Silver City, named for its tall white stone towards that glint like silver against the flickering waters of the way that crash into the cliffs that mark the city's edge." Then, I'll look at one of my players and ask "Tell me something cool about the Silver City..." and give them five seconds to answer. Now the city gets something new and cool I'd never have thought of and because my player contributed something to that location, they're more likely to be invested. Everyone wins!

samurguybri
>>133648169

I work with ASD kids and sometimes you gotta cut through the noise: “Do you want to play DnD or make skill checks about my set up?’ Do it directly, but compassionately and with respect. Let them know how the game is played and what social skills are required. Teach them the things that Jay is talking about. They’ll listen to their friends cool dad more than thier folks or teachers!

Daniel Defazio
>>133658027

It has great supporting actors and a great soundtrack. Moreover, it inspired Denis Villeneuve. He could not have made Dune if the first one had not existed. I also think the Ralph Bakshi LOTR needed to exist before Peter Jackson's.

Drago Russo
>>133651120

It is 100% your crowd as well. I think you would sell out all tables of whatever you put forward. You should look into it for next year. But I mean you are collaborating with Luke so you must know that already.

Drago Russo
>>133655679

It is also like Sly Flourish's creating a strong start. It really gets the players juices going.

Jay
>>133655679

@Drago Russo, now that you mention it. Yep! I haven't looked at that book in a while. Excellent point. Think I will pick it up again and start where I left off. Thanks.

Jay
>>133648169

@Don Bakke, handling those one the autistic spectrum is something you might have mentioned first. That does change things in a way. Yes, cutting them some slack makes sense. @samurguybri, offers some solid advice here from a point of experience with ASD kids. I appreciate his feedback. Yet, again, your initial post might have mentioned such things first. It does make a difference.

Jay
>>133662313

@James M Spahn, this is outstanding advice. I have been involving my players in this way for some time yet I've never bothered to remember or mention it outside of the game sessions. It keeps them fully engaged. Excellent post!

Don Bakke
>>133648169

Jay, at the time I posted my original comments it wasn't even on my mind. It wasn't until I considered your own response to me that I realized the relevance.

MrGunn

Dear PDM: A beginning is a very delicate time... No wait, we are gonna start in medias res. Personally I am living a boring life of quiet desperation, I don't want to act out a scene from Madame Bovaray or play virtual baseball. I want escapism filled with, sword fights, explosions, chases, and treasure! Getting to the good part as quickly as possible is great advice and the examples are great; SAG is a terrible thing. I don't know how setting the scene railroading at all. It does not take away player agency, it starts them right in the middle of things, where PCs should be. No more shoe leather and no more SAG, I am halfway there. Now if only I can eliminate LAG (Lame Assed Game) and have only exciting plots and adventures, I will be a Master DM. Thanks for sharing Professor, have a great weekend doing whatever it is you do! Best, MrGunn PS Players DO suck, they never appreciate your hard work and world building creativity. ;)

MrGunn
>>133658027

Personally, I prefer the 1984 version over the new one. A beginning is a very delicate time...

MrGunn
>>133648169

@Jay Good points in general sir, regardless of knowing about the ND kids first.

Firstspear

I wish there was a commercial (like those the pharma companies make) to address SAG. Caution may cause itching, disorientation, nausea, and internal bleeding.

Evil Chad

Great Video PDM. Man... First Baseball and then 2 Plus hours of more boredom. :) The PDF was a much needed brain booster. Thanks again PDM. Keep doing what ever it is you do.

Frederic Schmitt

This should be taught in schools. Thank you PDM!

Anthony Johnston

Very good video. Keep up the great work PDM?

Mike Butts

Great video. Sorry I missed this one.