| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
This may seem like an odd post, but with all the division on the boards about rules, and the occasional bitter word between well-intentioned communicants, I thought it would be nice to have a unifying topic.
Playing PFS has honestly increased my understanding of RP games in general, and has given me chances to spread the enjoyment of gaming in general. It is wonderful to add a more social aspect to a gaming genre that suffers from a negative social stereotype.
Keep in mind when reading these posts, I am not saying that PFS has replaced homebrew games for me. Rather, PFS is a completely different sort of game to me. And, public games are not better than private games. I just got out from playing a public game, so I may be slightly more upbeat on public games just now. Anyway, that's the spirit of this post.
My favorite thing about PFS so far has been getting out to games at stores. Even when I play with the exact same GM as I do at private games, it feels completely different. Ten PFS players sitting down at different tables, gathering just to enjoy a fun activity together, and knowing that all of us are genuinely sharing in the enjoyment, is a feeling that just can't be gained from home games. Where private games allow a tremendous amount of roleplaying, public games really open a player up to the wider world. It is wonderful sitting down at a table, looking around, and being forced to think, "Okay, where do I fit into this group? What can I do to help us succeed?" Private games just don't provide this sort of thing, since you plan out way in advance what you'll be doing and when. PFS has really helped my improvisation in terms of combat, skills, and roleplay.
One other thing I really enjoy about PFS is that it gives a solid framework to build upon, with set limitations. I know that some people thrive on a completely limitless world, but I enjoy knowing exactly where the boundaries are, so that I can plan accordingly. PFS gives me a chance to be confident in my balanced characters, knowing I probably won't be completely blindsided by some super min/maxer with a PVP bloodlust who built himself using only vaguely worded and esoteric abilities.
Even in private games, PFS gives me a solid framework for my characters to live within. It is great being able to kick back at home and read about the campaign setting in huge detail.
It is even nicer being able to participate in the community here. Being part of this community really makes the world seem bigger and better. Reading someone's post and then meeting them later for a game is just awesome. Maybe my inner nerd is showing, but having a solid community built around this just cements the awesomeness in my mind. As brutal as the commentary can get on here sometimes, it really makes a huge difference knowing that people are constantly building and rebuilding the world. It makes the game feel more alive.
I would be interested to know what some of the people on these boards feel are the best and/or most enjoyable aspects of PFS.
|
Pickguy
Thanks for starting this. I must have given a longer explanation at some older posts - but lets just add some bullet points for me.
1) The community. It is great to meet fellow gamers and GMs. Meeting up every year ahead of PaizoCon UK is a highlight. And I was fortunate enough to travel from the UK to the US and meet some people there as well.
2) PFS showed me many different play styles and GM styles. It opened up my horizon as player and game master.
3) PFS has helped me to get back to gaming myself and to grow my local group. Not only are the old players more active - we managed to add several new ones which wouldn't have happened without PFS. And one player even resumed as Game Master again.
There is likely more - but I hope that is enough for the moment.
Thod
