A pretty bad thread title, but here's what I'm thinking of:
- get a group of 6 together (for the sake of argument)
- agree the game system, style and game parameters like level (if applicable), post frequency, tone, game focus (eg RP heavy, combat, GM's choice) etc
- either draw at random, or by volunteer, to decide who starts, and that person GMs for 1 month (or another time to be agreed on, may depend on posting frequency). They have a character who acts as DMPC during their phase (no prima donnas please!).
- at the end of their stint, the GM hat moves to another player and the sequence continues for another turn. For extra variety, in the style of Who's Line is it Anyway?, the departing GM tells the new GM *something* that has to feature in their turn - an NPC, a location, an item of treasure etc. And GM time is enforced strictly so if the month is up and the group are in the middle of a fight, the new GM has to pick it up and run with it!
- if people drop out, then a replacement can be added once the new turn starts, and they go onto the GM list to take a turn. If it goes a complete cycle eg all 6 originals are still in, and they want to continue, then it goes back to the start of the rota or gets mixed up in some way. Or start a new game with different parameters.
Anyone done anything like this before? Anyone *interested* in trying it? I'm off on holiday for a few days but if I come back to enough interest I'll start a discussion thread and we can thrash out some details. Doesn't need to be just one game either - for a challenge, if there are enough potential players, have 2 (or more) groups who have to interlink plotlines, swap a player every turn, give each other's GM the next hook or some other random nonsense ;)
If this does pique your curiosity, then try filling this in to see what everyone wants to do. I'll start:
Game system: Pathfinder (core + APG) - if only because people can download all the required material - but happy to try other systems, as I have...lots.
Level: 5 - 10 - not starter characters, but not too powerful
Power level: any of the typical point buy values are fine. A very low point game for a challenge?
Style: mix of RP/problems/combat
Tone: no evil PCs, group working towards some goal for ease of hook to bring people together
Post frequency: daily if possible, happy to stick to Mon-Fri if people can't commit to weekends
Turn length: 4 weeks
Happy to have random elements like GM handing over of hook(s): Yes
Happy to have pbp novices: definitely, hopefully also a chance for them to try GMing for a pre-defined time in a relaxed and supportive group
Other comments: my idea, so happy to take first GM slot if need be, no Adventure Paths please as I'm either playing it already or want to play it in future, complete homebrew within limits agreed by group preferred, other published adventure considered. I also won't be gutted if a group forms but everyone wants to do something I don't! This is effectively an open invite, and new groups can start whenever there are enough like minded souls to get it off the ground.