My own introduction to rpgs was fate accelerated with index cards! I always wanted to play dnd and eventually bought the 5e books when all 3 core books were out...and it was not what I had built in my head. So I always enjoy getting to try new games and see how the mechanics support the different types of experiences!
Back in 2020, when I was introduced to RPG, I had some difficulties blend in with others, so I shifted my focus on solo-play and this how I came to find The Bad Spot. Meanwhile, I was able to gather a group, and as newcommers, they had difficulties with most of sci-fi systems, except for Starfoged. Nice to see an effort to introduce other people to the hobby! Take care you two! 🎲
4:44 I find that the blocker is often not "I'm not an actor, I'm not a writer", but "I'm not a little kid, I'm not going to pretend I'm a cowboy or a pirate, this is silly and infantile". People most resistant to trying TTRPGs are not doing this because they are not creative enough, they feel they are Too Adult For This Childish Nonsense.
I tend to differentiate between roleplaying (it's a more general term to me, similar to how Steve mentioned it) and acting. I try to keep the latter to a minimum, since it can often become too goofy otherwise, as I and the others are not pro actors. Usually it's more like the wrestling level of acting and that is perfectly fine. I don't like when GMs demand every scene being played out. It's better when they give incentive to do it but don't force it. I love Ironsworn because to me it is the perfect blend of creating fiction and rolling dice/rules.
29:40 this is an excellent point - people who start with D&D expect learning other systems to be just like learning D&D. And it's not. First of all, there are many systems where you can easily hit the ground running after a 5-10min introduction, and you don't need to commit to a 6-12 months long campaign. And secondly, if you already are familiar with one, it will be MUCH easier to learn another. Even if it's a completely different system or setting - some of the core concepts are transferrable. Like, the idea that you are supposed to be directing the actions of only one character in a larger story. Or the idea that you need to declare your intentions and then use some kind of game mechanic, usually involving chance, to see if you succeed. Those are things you only need to learn ONCE.
To Steve's point around 43:00 min, not wanting to "roleplay" but wanting to play an RPG, that third-person POV style of playing a character is an interesting one I've heard some people discussing before, and I'm not sure what the best way to do it is, especially with a group. I've had shy players who want to just describe what they do but never fully inhabit the character in conversation, and I can get through that easily enough (oddly works best in a D&D5e style where eventually you just roll and say "well there's how the interaction went"), but it still moves forward the narrative in a collaborative way, just not as interpersonal a way, if that makes sense? For solo games, I think the MIRU series and Spencer Campbell/Gila RPGs' Carved by RUNE games occupy an interesting "non RP-heavy (practically nonexistent RP) solo RPG game" niche, but I don't think I'd recommend them for newer players interested in the hobby to encourage more interaction.
The game I'd choose to teach a new-to-roleplaying person would depend on their preferred setting/lore/world/etc. But in the abstract, I'd choose Fantasy World by Alessandro Piroddi.
I don't know that solo games are going to work as an introduction to TTRPGs every time, but I bet they're a great way in for people who are interested but have anxiety about role playing or making mistakes in front of others (especially strangers!). I'm really enjoying writing out my scenes in Starforged, and I'm playing in a play-by-post D&D game over discord that really lowers the barrier to inhabiting my character. I like that in text, I don't have to be self-conscious about acting, and I feel more safe playing characters that are very different from myself.
TTRPG's provide a certain amount of freedom that most aren't acclimatized to. It's a radical change from most conventional means of modern entertainment. As the limits could easily be the extent of one's imagination (in-game limits notwithstanding), it's no longer a question of which path to take when there's an entire game world (or worlds, depending on setting). Scope and scale can be a tad bewildering. Specialized or focused game system help set up the scope of the game and the setting which the game rules establish (like Call of Cthulhu, for example - gothic horror setting, absurd scope - cosmic horrors).
I disagree about the board game comparison, because I love board games and I love roleplaying games…but Sherriff of Nottingham in particular is one of my most hated games of all time. I haven't played Funemployed, but the way you described it, I really think I'd hate it as well. For me, roleplaying games are about having an adventurous story and engaging in the mechanisms. Board games are about puzzles and strategy. I'd love more games that fuse those concepts more. But the board games mentioned are about silly arguing. Hard pass from me.
I mean, it’s less a comparison, my point was that these board games that have light, roleplaying elements might be good acid tests of whether or not a total TTRPG noob might embrace playing a role in the context of a game. A player who clams up playing a 2min hot seat round of Funemployed might not want to throw themselves into pretending to be a wizard for months on end! Thanks for watching!
@@thebadspot I get your point, but I feel much more comfortable roleplaying as my character than I do acting silly as a merchant (SoN) or other weird job. I'm just saying yeah, it MIGHT be a good acid test, but I wouldn't rule someone out after a bad experience in a game like this.
38:28 Ominous creature appears from the shadows and becomes mesmerized by magic lights.
Let's see its stat block
Thank you for deciding what I should do for the next hour
Enjoy!
My own introduction to rpgs was fate accelerated with index cards! I always wanted to play dnd and eventually bought the 5e books when all 3 core books were out...and it was not what I had built in my head. So I always enjoy getting to try new games and see how the mechanics support the different types of experiences!
I think it’s pretty cool when new players can try a bunch of games early on, rather than get funnelled into just one experience.
Back in 2020, when I was introduced to RPG, I had some difficulties blend in with others, so I shifted my focus on solo-play and this how I came to find The Bad Spot.
Meanwhile, I was able to gather a group, and as newcommers, they had difficulties with most of sci-fi systems, except for Starfoged.
Nice to see an effort to introduce other people to the hobby!
Take care you two! 🎲
That's so cool! Thanks for watching!
4:44 I find that the blocker is often not "I'm not an actor, I'm not a writer", but "I'm not a little kid, I'm not going to pretend I'm a cowboy or a pirate, this is silly and infantile". People most resistant to trying TTRPGs are not doing this because they are not creative enough, they feel they are Too Adult For This Childish Nonsense.
Yeah that’s a great point!
I tend to differentiate between roleplaying (it's a more general term to me, similar to how Steve mentioned it) and acting. I try to keep the latter to a minimum, since it can often become too goofy otherwise, as I and the others are not pro actors. Usually it's more like the wrestling level of acting and that is perfectly fine. I don't like when GMs demand every scene being played out. It's better when they give incentive to do it but don't force it.
I love Ironsworn because to me it is the perfect blend of creating fiction and rolling dice/rules.
Well said!
Interesting to hear the hooks which lead you to the hobby....@errantadventurespod does The One Ring Strider mode is what I heard!
Personally, I'd love to see it. I recently got sent all the One Ring stuff. Looks pretty cool...
@@thebadspot You couldn't get a game further away in tone from The Between!
You're not wrong!
29:40 this is an excellent point - people who start with D&D expect learning other systems to be just like learning D&D. And it's not.
First of all, there are many systems where you can easily hit the ground running after a 5-10min introduction, and you don't need to commit to a 6-12 months long campaign.
And secondly, if you already are familiar with one, it will be MUCH easier to learn another. Even if it's a completely different system or setting - some of the core concepts are transferrable. Like, the idea that you are supposed to be directing the actions of only one character in a larger story. Or the idea that you need to declare your intentions and then use some kind of game mechanic, usually involving chance, to see if you succeed. Those are things you only need to learn ONCE.
Very true!
To Steve's point around 43:00 min, not wanting to "roleplay" but wanting to play an RPG, that third-person POV style of playing a character is an interesting one I've heard some people discussing before, and I'm not sure what the best way to do it is, especially with a group. I've had shy players who want to just describe what they do but never fully inhabit the character in conversation, and I can get through that easily enough (oddly works best in a D&D5e style where eventually you just roll and say "well there's how the interaction went"), but it still moves forward the narrative in a collaborative way, just not as interpersonal a way, if that makes sense?
For solo games, I think the MIRU series and Spencer Campbell/Gila RPGs' Carved by RUNE games occupy an interesting "non RP-heavy (practically nonexistent RP) solo RPG game" niche, but I don't think I'd recommend them for newer players interested in the hobby to encourage more interaction.
It is interesting and I’ve only recently realised I move in and out of straight role player and 3rd person narration when I play in groups.
The game I'd choose to teach a new-to-roleplaying person would depend on their preferred setting/lore/world/etc. But in the abstract, I'd choose Fantasy World by Alessandro Piroddi.
Good shout!
I don't know that solo games are going to work as an introduction to TTRPGs every time, but I bet they're a great way in for people who are interested but have anxiety about role playing or making mistakes in front of others (especially strangers!).
I'm really enjoying writing out my scenes in Starforged, and I'm playing in a play-by-post D&D game over discord that really lowers the barrier to inhabiting my character. I like that in text, I don't have to be self-conscious about acting, and I feel more safe playing characters that are very different from myself.
That’s a great point!
TTRPG's provide a certain amount of freedom that most aren't acclimatized to. It's a radical change from most conventional means of modern entertainment. As the limits could easily be the extent of one's imagination (in-game limits notwithstanding), it's no longer a question of which path to take when there's an entire game world (or worlds, depending on setting). Scope and scale can be a tad bewildering. Specialized or focused game system help set up the scope of the game and the setting which the game rules establish (like Call of Cthulhu, for example - gothic horror setting, absurd scope - cosmic horrors).
Great point!
I disagree about the board game comparison, because I love board games and I love roleplaying games…but Sherriff of Nottingham in particular is one of my most hated games of all time. I haven't played Funemployed, but the way you described it, I really think I'd hate it as well.
For me, roleplaying games are about having an adventurous story and engaging in the mechanisms. Board games are about puzzles and strategy. I'd love more games that fuse those concepts more. But the board games mentioned are about silly arguing. Hard pass from me.
I mean, it’s less a comparison, my point was that these board games that have light, roleplaying elements might be good acid tests of whether or not a total TTRPG noob might embrace playing a role in the context of a game. A player who clams up playing a 2min hot seat round of Funemployed might not want to throw themselves into pretending to be a wizard for months on end! Thanks for watching!
@@thebadspot I get your point, but I feel much more comfortable roleplaying as my character than I do acting silly as a merchant (SoN) or other weird job. I'm just saying yeah, it MIGHT be a good acid test, but I wouldn't rule someone out after a bad experience in a game like this.