I've seen a few threads, pretty old, so I didn't want to just necro one and ask my questions :)
basically this is @ anyone who is running a game for/with kids. My family and a friend's family play together, usually once a week, sometimes more (especially in the summer) and we're trying to introduce our kids to the time honored tradition of RPG'ing.
I'm looking for any advice regarding trying to get them to role play more and become better gamers. Right now they're basically just treating the game like an MMO or computer game. I'm running the Mummy's Mask right now with them and the boys are between 13 and 17.
To describe some of the problems we're encountering - we have one boy who's the rules lawyer type. I solved his interference by adding him as assistant GM (and he is actually a huge help, being as how he has a good portion of the core rulebook memorized).
Then we have the loner - he prefers to go off and do his own thing. His actions usually consist of running away from any fights and letting his "friends" take care of it, even when they're clearly winning. So far we've tried to coax him into being a bit more of a team player to keep the whole game advancing, while giving him a less xp for encounters he didn't do anything about. Maybe if he fails to advance he'll find incentive to help the group?
We have two boys who're essentially playing the same way - they're trying to RP sortof... but not really separating what their character thinks from what they, the player, think. They seem to get very frustrated easily with the game and I end up giving them a LOT of direction as to what to look for.
The remaining boy is having trouble in general engaging with the game - he's playing a wizard and either picked the wrong spells, or can't decide how to get them into play. He's resistant to changing his character, and I'm not sure it's really helpful for him to do so.
I know a lot of this is on me, I need to help shepherd them better, but it's a far different scenario from a traditional, adult group of players and I really wasn't ready for the couching involved in this group.
We want the boys to just have fun with it, and to be able to advance through the scenario - we've had four sessions (typically three to four hours) and only gotten through the very first tomb of Akhentepi! Even though we don't mind the slow pace I think everyone wants to see *some* progress lol
Anyway, any hints or clues or "this is how I did it" ideas are welcome =) We love the pathfinder system and especially the mummy's mask adventure :)
Thanks in advance =)
I usually lead my players by example when I GM. I have the world and NPCs react the way I'd like the players to. Its tough but if you can show an NPC doing something clever and creatively, maybe you can have the players latch onto that and try it themselves.
Thank you for the suggestion! That worked out pretty well in our last session, so here's hoping that going forward everyone will continue to enjoy and grow their characters!
I've seen a few threads, pretty old, so I didn't want to just necro one and ask my questions :)
basically this is @ anyone who is running a game for/with kids. My family and a friend's family play together, usually once a week, sometimes more (especially in the summer) and we're trying to introduce our kids to the time honored tradition of RPG'ing.
I'm looking for any advice regarding trying to get them to role play more and become better gamers. Right now they're basically just treating the game like an MMO or computer game. I'm running the Mummy's Mask right now with them and the boys are between 13 and 17.
To describe some of the problems we're encountering - we have one boy who's the rules lawyer type. I solved his interference by adding him as assistant GM (and he is actually a huge help, being as how he has a good portion of the core rulebook memorized).
Then we have the loner - he prefers to go off and do his own thing. His actions usually consist of running away from any fights and letting his "friends" take care of it, even when they're clearly winning. So far we've tried to coax him into being a bit more of a team player to keep the whole game advancing, while giving him a less xp for encounters he didn't do anything about. Maybe if he fails to advance he'll find incentive to help the group?
Generally negative reinforcement needs to be followed up with explanation and discussion here. Explain to him that this is a team game, and he has to play with the rest of the group. Examples include team sports. The point guard on a basketball team doesnt get to go play knockhockey by himself on the sidelines during the game. He has to play basketball with his team.
If this doesnt work, I'd explain that xp is earned for overcoming challenges, retreating, isnt overcoming the challenge, the next time he leaves an encounter before its complete, he wont be awarded xp for it. I would consider this a last resort, but depending on his age, he may simply not understand the implications of getting less xp until much later, with much more repetition reinforcing the loner behavior.
We have two boys who're essentially playing the same way - they're trying to RP sortof... but not really separating what their character thinks from what they, the player, think. They seem to get very frustrated easily with the game and I end up giving them a LOT of direction as to what to look for.
You might want to start off outside of the game by working on improve/group storytelling excersizes. You can look this up in a number of sources, but the kinds of techniques people use for training improv acting is excellent for encouraging in character roleplay and a division of self and character. Obviously different people will have different abilities here, but any gamer can benefit from the exercises.
The remaining boy is having trouble in general engaging with the game - he's playing a wizard and either picked the wrong spells, or can't decide how to get them into play. He's resistant to changing his character, and I'm not sure it's really helpful for him to do so.
Honestly, wizard is a class I probably wouldnt have a child play. Its difficult to master and easy to get wrong. The best thing you can do is give him good spells that look like fun to use. Drop a few scrolls in the next treasure hoard and then spend some time explaining to him the benefits of those new spells he has and why they are awesome. Hopefully that will get him on track. If not, I'd suggest pushing him towards an easier class to play.
In a side note, you might want to try a diversion into something fun and demonstrative of some of the things you want to teach, like teamwork and in character thinking/acting. Try out we be goblins, and we be goblins too with them. When I was that age I'd love to play a mildly crazy pyromaniac goblin(granted I loved it when I played it recently as well, but you get the idea).