(Continued from yesterday…)

Autopsy 1 – First Game Scenario

We played the standard First Game scenario from the beta rule set, and began in media res, as suited the opening Checkpoint. As usual, this was a bad idea. There was too much action too early. A one-shot RPG like this works better with a clear arc of escalation. If you turn up the heat too early, the whole story burns out before you’re done. That’s one thing to fix.

Fix: Change the First Game scenario, especially the first Checkpoint.

Autopsy 2 – Setting the Tone

Everyone was working off a different page. There was this shunting and crumpling of the narrative. How much violence should we use? Where are the characters? What is their relationship to one another and their environment? What does the TV show look like/feel like/sound like? All of these questions were explored after the game had begun and should have been taken care of at the start.

Fix: Introduce “Gore Threshold,” a player defined rating that determines when and how Felonies can be used in the game, and “Tone & Theme,” a descriptor for the game world, mood and TV Show aesthetics.

Autopsy 3 – Video Diaries

Video Diaries put people on the spot. Not in a good way.

Fix: Instead of asking “why are you good enough to be on the show?” (daunting), I should ask “describe your recruitment into the show” (open ended). Players narrate how they imagine their pimp/lumberjack/plumber being escorted/abducted/ensnared. Players are still put on the spot, but there is less exposure and more creativity.

(Continued tomorrow… Tension and Rules)