Saturday, February 28, 2015

Meta Humans

I had an epiphany today.

Seriously, a revelation.

It's an honest to goodness breakthrough.

I get why my current group doesn't get genre tropes, and why they don't experience full immersion.

They're Metagaming. I've noticed it before, but never realized the degree. It's sort of a constant undertone. A consistent subtext of their way of thinking when gaming.

What I mistook for overthinking is actually meta-thinking.

I am not certain why though.

To figure out the why, and the what to do about it, that is my new goal in life (OK, in my gaming life. It's right behind making more money, finding a girlfriend, and other lofty, real life objectives).

Huh. To think that that's the difference between this, and earlier groups.

Who'd have thunk it.

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Barking Alien






7 comments:

  1. You got two choices then:

    1) Run a game where being meta is an accepted part, and immersion is just one strategy among many for the players to succeed. I'd say Savage Worlds.
    2) Break out the kitchen timers to limit thinking time, start overruling uncharacteristic actions, and institute language use rules. Brace for exhaustion and rebellion, and possibly looking for a new group...

    Not everyone is looking for the same thing in a game, and rolling with the players might teach you a few tricks that are useful when you DO get an immersive group.

    Best of luck.

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    1. "1) Run a game where being meta is an accepted part, and immersion is just one strategy among many for the players to succeed. I'd say Savage Worlds."

      Yeah...no. With rare exception, usually a comedy, or parody campaign, I kinda hate that.

      "2) Break out the kitchen timers to limit thinking time, start overruling uncharacteristic actions, and institute language use rules. Brace for exhaustion and rebellion, and possibly looking for a new group..."

      The kitchen timers are a great idea. I keep thinking about doing it, and I just haven't committed to it yet.

      It may come down to getting a new group. Some of the players are frustrated with me as well. I hope that's not the case, but it might be for the best. Maybe a just need a more immersive group.

      Sad Green Dog is Sad.

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  2. How are you experiencing the metagaming? I get it when I hear players talk about "builds" rather than "characters."

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    1. I get in mainly when people bring up as excepted, and confirmed canon, something never mentioned in-game, not addressed by myself, or the story, or relating to what is happening in the story at the time.

      Player: "Well since we know what powers Doctor Doom's Time Platform..."

      Me: "You never met Dr. Doom. You certainly didn't get a look at the blueprints for his time machine."

      Player: "No, I looked up Dr. Doom, and the Time Platform on Google."

      Me: "Who did? You the player? 'Cause I don't remember that happening in the last session."

      Player: (Confused) "No, I did it. Between last session, and now."

      Or in Star Trek...

      Player: "Since we know we don't go to war with the Klingons between now, and Next Generation..."

      Effing kill me.

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  3. It sounds like a solution would be to play a homemade campaign, rather than something the characters can Google.

    (Love the blog. I've been following for over a year. This is my first comment.)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much phemguy, I really appreciate the kind words. Thanks for commenting as well!

      I originally chose to run a mixed Marvel/DC world hoping those unfamiliar with comics, but familiar with movies, and animated series, would at least have a level playing field.

      I think Supers may just not work well with everyone in this group.

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  4. The metagaming you describe in your examples kill me. My reflex is to say "You will be surprised at how many things aren't the same as the regular universe. For example, I've never read a Marvel comic with your characters." That derails the metagame train.

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