Thought Punks

Series: RPG Theory

Great TTRPG Newbie Paradox (they’re easier to teach)
This entry is part 1 of 5 in the series RPG Theory
Novice TTRPG Players and Simple Guidance

You should go make a game with Caltrop Core, maybe.

One of the great paradoxes I’ve noticed in TTRPGs is that newer players don’t always need the extensive examples and explanations that seasoned gamers often request. It’s fascinating how the learning process can differ so much depending on experience level. While experienced players may want every detail laid out to navigate complex systems, novice players tend to do just fine with simpler, more straightforward instructions. So why is that?

To really understand why this is, we have to look at how cognitive psychology, gaming culture, and design philosophy come into play. New players are engaging with the game in a fresh way, while veterans approach things with a wealth of past experiences and mental models already in place. This combination of factors explains why simple rules can be so effective for new players, but also why they might leave veterans wanting more.

Cognitive Load Management

Starting out in TTRPGs can be overwhelming. New players are diving into an entirely new hobby, and everything is unfamiliar. New players must grasp both game goals and effective roleplaying, which can be substantial learning challenges. Success requires reducing cognitive load: avoid overwhelming them with information. Simplify what players process to create approachable, enjoyable entry points.

That’s why simple, streamlined rules work so well. New players don’t need to memorize a bunch of rules upfront; they only need the basics to get started. Systems like Fate Accelerated or Lasers & Feelings are perfect for this! These rules-light systems remain accessible, letting players focus on fun rather than details. Without intimidating mechanics, they encourage creative exploration while fostering early accomplishment.

Managed cognitive load enables immediate gameplay immersion. Which itself enables more easily experiencing the game firsthand, which is often the most effective and engaging way for players to understand how it all fits together.

Learning Through Play

For new players, a good way to learn is often by diving in and engaging directly. Behavioral modeling plays a huge role here. Watching others navigate mechanics, solve problems, and roleplay their characters helps new players build an intuitive understanding of the game.

Reading about skill checks differs fundamentally from witnessing real-time dice rolls and reactions. Observing experienced GMs navigate challenges or players embody characters makes learning through example particularly effective.

This isn’t limited to group play, either. Solo roleplaying also teaches powerfully through play and reflection. Experimenting with rules, testing scenarios, and recognizing successful approaches provides irreplaceable feedback beyond manual reading. This learning-by-doing aligns with human psychology.

Experiential learning fundamentally drives this process. Acquiring new skills involves practice, experimentation, and gradual improvement. TTRPGs suit this perfectly through balanced structure and flexibility that encourages learning during play.

New players’ flexibility distinguishes them significantly. Lacking preconceived notions, they frequently adapt faster to rules and discover creative engagement methods. This adaptability becomes a powerful asset, helping them embrace guidance and maximize their experience.

Adaptability

What’s amazing about new players is their adaptability. They haven’t been trained to expect certain complexities, and that’s a huge advantage. Without preconceived notions about how rules “should” work, they’re open to whatever the system throws at them. With fewer expectations, they can engage with simple rules without overthinking them, allowing for a more organic experience. This flexibility makes them more open to experimentation and less likely to get caught up in analysis paralysis over myriad options.

The Tabula Rasa effect is big here. Novices often approach rules with fresh eyes, making them open to experimentation. Conversely, experienced players may often compare rules to prior systems and/or hold certain assumptions. Graceful degradation is something newer players excel at as a result. Novices will often default to common sense and broad principles, as well as more often collapse to core rules. Seasoned gamers will look for more nuance, more often look for edge cases, and generally expect more direct guidance.

The Takeaway for Game Designers

Game designers should prioritize simplicity. New players engage best without complex rules or lengthy explanations. Systems emphasizing straightforward mechanics and learning through play build novice confidence and enjoyment immediately.

Experienced Players and the Need for Detailed Guidance

Complexity Preference

For seasoned players, simplicity can sometimes feel like a limitation. After years of playing more complex systems, many veterans crave the depth and nuance that come with detailed rules. They want to be able to dive deep into the mechanics, optimize characters, and explore all the strategic options available.

Systems like Pathfinder and Shadowrun thrive in this space. They offer a level of granularity and choice that challenges experienced players and rewards those who enjoy analyzing every aspect of the game. These systems activate analytical thinking, rewarding those who relish strategic complexity. They also often reward system mastery, which encourages a desire for deep rules understandings.

Desire for Comprehensive Understanding

Experienced players often seek clarity on edge cases and exceptions. They need detailed rules and examples to navigate these situations confidently. For them, the finer points of a system matter, especially when the game isn’t going according to the usual script. A system that provides clarity on the exceptions and intricacies helps them play with confidence, ensuring that no one gets stuck in a situation where they’re unsure of how to proceed.

The can also want clarity on edge cases and exceptions because these often define the boundaries of creativity within the game. Detailed examples allow experienced players to confidently navigate unusual scenarios, ensuring they can “play to the rules” without stalling gameplay. In addition, gamers accustomed to systems like Dungeons & Dragons may expect clear guidance for adjudicating specific situations. Understanding this prior experience is key for seasoned gamers.

Integration with Prior Knowledge

Veteran players come into a game with a wealth of experience, so they’re naturally comparing new systems to the ones they already know. They’ve built mental models (or “schemas”) of how TTRPGs “should” work, and if the new system doesn’t align with those expectations, it can cause confusion.

Discrepancies between these expectations and a new game’s mechanics can lead to frustration without sufficient explanation. A well-designed system can acknowledge this by providing clear explanations of how it differs from other games or being very clear about its own nuances. Without these distinctions, experienced players may feel lost or frustrated trying to figure out how things work.

Challenges with Simple Rules for Experienced Players

Overinterpretation

Experienced players often struggle with simple systems because they assume there’s more complexity hidden in the rules. When the system feels too straightforward, they begin to look for deeper meaning or “unspoken” rules. This overthinking can lead to confusion, especially when the simplicity they encounter doesn’t match their mental models.

Cognitive Rigidity

Another challenge is cognitive rigidity. Long-time TTRPG players can become so accustomed to the intricacies of complex systems or robust presentations that transitioning to something simpler or more direct can feel like a step backward. Research indicates that experts in any field can develop a rigidity that limits their ability to adapt to new frameworks; this same psychological principle applies to TTRPGs. This rigidity can make it hard to adapt to lighter systems and simpler explanations that don’t provide the same level of depth they’re used to.

Expectation of Depth

Veterans can expect games to offer rich, strategic gameplay. They are often come to anticipate a certain level of complexity in gameplay and/or detail in rulebooks. Simpler texts may seem “shallow” to them, leaving them unsatisfied. They can feel those lighter books are lacking the intricate balance or emergent possibilities of more robust frameworks and explanations.

Balancing Rule Presentation for Different Players

Layered Rulebooks

One way to meet the needs of both novice and experienced players is to present rules in layers. Start with the core mechanics, keep it simple and easy to digest. Then add deeper, optional rules for those who want them. This approach lets new players engage without feeling overwhelmed while still providing the depth that experienced players crave.

However, balancing this can be tricky. If the rules aren’t organized well, it can feel like you’re constantly flipping through pages to find the right information, which can be frustrating.

Integrated Examples

Including examples directly in the text helps everyone, regardless of experience level. Novices can learn a lot from rules-in-action demonstrations. Gaming veterans often value edge-case clarifications. The most effective examples are relevant to both types of players, demonstrating rule applications across both contexts.

This demands balancing simplicity for novices against nuance for veterans. Simultaneously, maintaining readable flow and utility as a reference often prioritizes conciseness and directness, which can sacrifice granular detail. There is a careful balancing act for TTRPG authors.

Encouraging Exploration

Another way to bridge the gap between new and experienced players is by encouraging creativity within a structured system. Games that offer flexibility while still keeping things clear and simple can appeal to both groups. Designing systems that promote creativity within clear boundaries can engage both new and seasoned players, accommodating different preferences for complexity.

Systems like Powered by the Apocalypse do this well. New players get to co-create the story alongside the GM, while veteran players can still engage with the rules in a deeper, strategic way. It’s the best of both worlds.

A Few Final Thoughts

The Role of Player Psychology

The psychology of TTRPG players varies greatly. New players are often more risk-tolerant and excited to explore, while experienced players regularly seek mastery and optimization. These different approaches to the game highlight the importance of balancing rules in a way that caters to both. The more we understand these tendencies, the better we can design games that speak to a wider audience.

The Evolution of TTRPG Culture

TTRPGs have evolved a lot over the years, with indie games gaining traction and traditional systems like Dungeons & Dragons continuing to thrive. This diversity in gaming culture means that players bring different expectations based on their experiences. Designers need to be aware of these cultural shifts and cater to the broad spectrum of preferences.

Game Master Dynamics

The role of the GM also changes depending on experience. Novice GMs can benefit from systems that allow flexibility and creativity. Their lack of assumptions, along with the accompanying openness and adaptability, is their great strength. In contrast, veteran GMs typically look for more robust tools that help with complex storytelling and adjudicating rules. Their experience and system mastery, with the knowledge and rules familiarity they provide, form their strong points. Understanding these differences is key to making a game that works for all GMs.

OK, Actual Final Thoughts

The interplay between simplicity and complexity in TTRPG design reflects not only player experience levels but also evolving cultural and cognitive preferences. Novices often thrive on minimalist guidance that reduces cognitive load, encourages exploration, and builds confidence. Veterans, on the other hand, oft demand nuanced mechanics, detailed examples, and robust systems that align with their mental models and expectations.

However, this is all variable and nuanced based on the tabletop roleplaying game niche they embrace, their general mindset and preferences, and their overall experience. Game designers can meet these diverse needs through thoughtful layering of rules, embedded examples, and systems that balance creativity with clarity. Understanding the psychology and preferences of different player groups enables inclusive designs that enrich the TTRPG experience for everyone.

And as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! Leave a comment here and/or come scream at me about it on Bluesky.

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December 21, 2024
Genre Emulation and Buy-In in TTRPGs
This entry is part 2 of 5 in the series RPG Theory
Suspension of Disbelief and Buy-In: Foundation Elements

TTRPGs thrive on a balance of imagination, mechanics, and collaboration. Suspension of disbelief and buy-in anchor this balance. Yet unlike film or literature, where they operate intuitively, TTRPGs often treat them as secondary. By recognizing their importance and treating them as explicit design elements, TTRPGs can more effectively immerse players in their worlds.

Over the years, the hobby has made great strides in genre emulation, yet much of it still leans toward high-level abstraction or meta-thinking. This can create a gap between the broader narrative tools provided and the grounded, intuitive moments that draw players into the story. Other art forms frequently operate on an instinctual level, drawing audiences in before deeper analysis takes over. By embracing these “low-level” approaches alongside the high-level, TTRPGs can foster richer and more immediate player experiences.

Shared Creative Agreement

Suspension of disbelief and buy-in form the mutual creative agreement between players that allows a game to come alive. They enable everyone at the table to accept the game’s internal logic, even when mechanics momentarily interrupt the narrative flow. This interplay mirrors other art forms: just as audiences accept a musical breaking into song or a fantasy novel’s improbable magic system, TTRPG players embrace dice rolls and abstract mechanics as long as they fit the narrative’s framework.

Even seemingly mechanical actions (like rolling to pick a lock) become cinematic through framing: sweat on the character’s brow, the subtle click of tumblers. As designers and players consciously weave such elements into play, abstractions gain purpose and immersion. This shared understanding deepens collaborative storytelling, yielding cohesive and rewarding table experiences.

Embracing Genre Buy-In in the Arts

Storytelling in literature and film offers a wealth of inspiration for TTRPGs. In novels, genre surfaces through tone and setting, guiding expectations without instruction. A locked-room mystery primes readers for clues, while a dystopian sci-fi immerses through bleak, evocative details.

Film, too, thrives on intuitive genre signaling. Horror films needn’t declare a dark house dangerous, eerie music and shadowed corridors signal it. These cues align audience expectations with the story’s logic.

TTRPGs can harness these same principles. Consider cyberpunk: neon-lit imagery, hacking mechanics, and slang-heavy narration immerse players in its high-tech grit. When GMs and players narrate to match genre tones (noir’s desperation or fantasy’s swashbuckling) they forge experiences rivaling books or film. By consciously embedding genre elements into both design and play, TTRPGs can create intuitive, immersive experiences that rival their literary and cinematic counterparts.

High-Level and Low-Level Approaches in Genre Emulation

A key TTRPG design challenge is balancing high-level abstraction against low-level mechanics’ immediacy. High-level systems, like those found in Fate or Apocalypse World, offer broad frameworks for emulating genre. These systems encourage players to interpret moves or outcomes based on the story’s context, trusting their genre familiarity to shape the experience.

In contrast, low-level mechanics embed genre directly into gameplay. Horror games excel at this: Call of Cthulhu’s sanity meter creates a creeping sense of dread, while Dread’s Jenga tower delivers tangible, escalating tension. These mechanics require little explanation. These mechanics resonate instinctively, syncing players to the game’s emotional core. Balancing these approaches sustains flexibility and immersion for all players.

The Power of Framing

Framing binds mechanics, narrative, and buy-in. A game’s presentation of rules, themes, and world shapes players’ expectations and engagement. Consider Blades in the Dark: its mechanics for resource management mirror the desperation of its criminal protagonists, encouraging players to think like their characters. This alignment of narrative and mechanics ensures that even gamey elements feel thematically grounded.

Session zero is another powerful tool for framing. Collaboratively setting boundaries, themes, and expectations builds shared understanding of tone. This agreement fosters trust and primes immersion, aligning suspension of disbelief with the intended experience.

Good framing also acknowledges potential dissonance. Games pairing heavy themes with simplistic or universal mechanics can risk breaking immersion, unless they deliberately address that gap. Thoughtfully integrating mechanics into storytelling mitigates these risks. The result is a cohesive, harmonious experience that sustains player engagement.

Toward More Immersive and Reflective Design

TTRPGs have barely tapped genre emulation’s potential. Explicitly designing for suspension of disbelief and buy-in better aligns mechanics with narrative, reducing meta-thinking and deepening engagement. Emphasizing intuitive, genre-informed mechanics and strong framing practices can elevate the medium, making it more accessible and resonant.

What do you think? Are suspension of disbelief and buy-in given enough attention in TTRPGs? Come yell at us on Bluesky about it!

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December 16, 2024
TTRPG Mechanics Model: Granularity, Modularity, Connectivity, Fidelity
This entry is part 3 of 5 in the series RPG Theory
Understanding TTRPG Design Through Four Overlapping Scales

When discussing tabletop RPGs, terms like “crunch” or “narrative focus” frequently arise. While useful, these discussions can become muddled, lacking a structured way to examine what makes each game unique. To frame this conversation, we can use a model of four overlapping scales: granularity, modularity, connectivity, and fidelity. Each of these represents a distinct axis of design, shaping how we experience and engage with games.

Let’s break down each scale and explore how they influence play.

1. Granularity (aka “Crunch”)

Granularity measures how detailed a game’s mechanics are. High-granularity systems, like GURPS or Pathfinder, offer intricate rules that cover a broad array of situations, from combat maneuvers to nuanced skill checks. On the other hand, low-granularity games like FATE or Lasers & Feelings simplify mechanics, focusing on streamlined gameplay. The level of granularity directly impacts pacing and player focus, influencing whether the experience feels like a tactical simulation or an improvisational story.
- High granularity: Provides clarity and structure but often slows down play with extensive rules. These systems excel when precision and fairness are crucial, such as in detailed simulations or competitive campaigns.
- Low granularity: Prioritizes narrative flow and accessibility, sacrificing precision for speed and creativity. Minimalist rules can empower players to improvise and lean into storytelling.
Granularity’s importance depends on player preferences. High granularity caters to those who enjoy mastering detailed mechanics or exploring tactical depth. Conversely, players seeking fast-paced, story-driven sessions might prefer the flexibility of low-granularity systems.

The interaction between granularity and other scales is key. For example, high granularity often pairs well with high fidelity when realism is a goal, as in games like Call of Cthulhu. However, it might clash with high connectivity when detailed mechanics interfere with narrative immersion.

2. Modularity

Modularity examines whether a game’s mechanics can function independently or integrate additional subsystems without disrupting the core rules. While modular games excel in flexibility and customizability, tightly integrated systems maintain consistency and reinforce their themes.
- High modularity: Games like Dungeons & Dragons thrive here, allowing the addition of feats, crafting systems, or optional rules without breaking the foundation. This adaptability has enabled D&D’s long-lasting popularity and its ability to support various playstyles and genres.
- Low modularity: Systems like Blades in the Dark or Apocalypse World have tightly integrated mechanics that are harder to separate or tweak without losing the intended experience. These games rely on focused systems that ensure every rule reinforces the theme.
High modularity supports flexibility and customization, enabling GMs and players to tailor the experience to their preferences. This is especially valuable in long-running campaigns or for groups with specific narrative or mechanical interests. In contrast, low modularity ensures a unified play experience where every rule contributes to the game’s thematic and narrative goals.

For example, a modular game like GURPS allows players to create entirely new genres or settings, while a low-modularity game like Blades in the Dark deeply intertwines its heist mechanics with its narrative, making it harder to adapt without losing its essence.

3. Connectivity

Connectivity refers to how closely the game’s mechanics link to its setting or story. High connectivity fosters immersion, embedding players deeply in the game world. However, low connectivity can allow the same system to support wildly different stories.
- High connectivity: Games like Apocalypse World tie their mechanics directly to narrative beats and thematic elements. Moves in these systems feel intrinsically tied to the world and its flavor, creating a strong sense of immersion.
- Low connectivity: Systems like Savage Worlds or GURPS use universal mechanics designed to adapt across genres, settings, or styles. Their flexibility allows for a wide variety of stories but can result in a less immersive experience.
Mechanics in high connectivity games are designed to evoke the tone, mood, and flavor of the setting. Conversely, low-connectivity systems prioritize flexibility, enabling creators to use the same mechanics across multiple genres and settings.

An excellent example of high connectivity is Call of Cthulhu, where the Sanity system deeply reflects its themes of cosmic horror. In contrast, Savage Worlds or GURPS offers flexibility, allowing players to jump from pulp adventure to hard science fiction without needing entirely new rules.

Call of Cthulhu and Pendragon (also from Chaosium) also reflect an interesting intersection: low connectivity systems can be developed into high connectivity games. BRP is a generic roleplaying system that both use. However, their implementations are high connectivity with the way Sanity is integrated in CoC and the way morality is directly tied into the mechanics for Pendragon.

4. Fidelity

Fidelity measures how well a game’s rules express its core genre or themes. High fidelity creates genre-rich experiences but may alienate those unfamiliar with its style. Low fidelity broadens accessibility, making it easier to approach but sometimes losing specific thematic weight.
- High fidelity: A game like Call of Cthulhu uses its Sanity mechanics to evoke the horror of cosmic dread, weaving the theme into every aspect of play.
- Low fidelity: Systems with generic mechanics, such as FATE, prioritize versatility over thematic depth. While these games can be tailored to fit many genres, they may not evoke specific moods as strongly as high-fidelity systems.
High fidelity creates genre-rich experiences but may alienate those unfamiliar with its style or unwilling to embrace its thematic focus. Low fidelity broadens accessibility, allowing games to be more flexible and replayable across genres.

The impact of fidelity on play can be profound. A high-fidelity game like Cthulhu Dark leverages simplicity to heighten its horror themes, while a low-fidelity system like FATE allows players to create settings and genres tailored to their specific desires, at the expense of specific thematic resonance.

Clarity: Distinguishing Connectivity and Fidelity

Connectivity and fidelity are closely related with some overlap, but are nevertheless distinct aspects of TTRPG design. Connectivity is focused on how mechanics push the narrative forward, how they shape and influence the story. Games with high connectivity, like Apocalypse World, have mechanics that tie directly to the development of the story and its characters, driving the narrative momentum.

Fidelity, however, is about how well a game’s mechanics represent its core genre or theme. High-fidelity games, such as Blades in the Dark, reinforce the setting’s dark, gritty nature through mechanics like stress and trauma, which emphasize the risks and emotional weight of the game’s actions. Morality and corruption mechanics are also often high fidelity, but also quite often only drive the narrative forward by their interpreted consequences and future play rather than a direct high connectivity narrative mechanic (Vampire: The Masquerade presents a good example).

Fidelity isn’t just about advancing the story; it’s about enhancing the mood and emotional engagement with the genre or game concept itself. The key difference is that while connectivity is about narrative flow and how the mechanics influence the direction of the story, fidelity is about how deeply the mechanics immerse players in the themes and atmosphere of the setting.

Why These Scales Matter

Each game balances these scales differently, creating unique experiences for players and GMs. For example:
- A gritty cyberpunk game might lean heavily into high granularity, high connectivity, and high fidelity to emphasize its dystopian tone.
- A pulpy adventure game might favor modularity and low granularity for fast-paced, action-packed play.
Games that deliberately subvert these scales often create surprising or innovative experiences. For instance:
- A modular, low-fidelity system like early D&D used in a thematic setting like Dragonlance.
- A rules-lite, high-fidelity system like Cthulhu Dark, where simplicity reinforces the core horror theme.
By recognizing how these scales interact, designers and players can make intentional choices that suit their desired play experience. Balancing granularity, modularity, connectivity, and fidelity allows for rich, varied TTRPG experiences that cater to diverse preferences and playstyles.

What do you think about this model? How do you see these factors? Poke us on Bluesky and let us know!

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December 14, 2024
Immersion and Authoring in TTRPGs
This entry is part 4 of 5 in the series RPG Theory
Immersion and Authoring: Two Pillars of TTRPG Playstyles

When exploring RPG mechanics and playstyles, two concepts frequently come to mind: immersion and authoring. These approaches are central to how we experience and create stories, yet they lead to profoundly different player experiences. Understanding their nuances can deepen appreciation for tabletop role-playing games and help both players and game masters refine their craft. Let’s dive into these ideas and how they shape the way we play.

What is Immersion in TTRPGs?

Immersion is all about being present in the game world. It’s the feeling of stepping into your character’s shoes, seeing through their eyes, and reacting instinctively to their circumstances. This playstyle emphasizes an almost method-actor-like approach to gameplay. The goal is to lose oneself in the character’s experiences.
- It’s visceral and emotional, pulling players into the moment-to-moment experiences of their characters.
- A deeply immersive scene might involve feeling your heart race during a tense negotiation or aching with loss after a companion’s betrayal.
Think of immersion as an actor completely inhabiting their role, their decisions flowing naturally from the character’s perspective. For example, in a dangerous dungeon crawl, an immersive player might worry about their dwindling torchlight not because of the mechanics, but because their character would feel that same anxiety. Immersion prioritizes instinct over meta-thinking, pushing players to engage deeply with the fiction and their character’s emotional world.

The key strength of immersion lies in its ability to create intense personal connections to the story. However, this focus on “in-the-moment” play can occasionally lead to tension if other players or the game master adopt a more meta or narrative-driven approach. Still, for those who thrive on emotional and visceral role-playing, immersion offers a uniquely rewarding experience.

What is Authoring in TTRPGs?

Authoring, by contrast, is about crafting the broader narrative. This playstyle encourages players to take a step back, view the story as a whole, and make decisions based on dramatic or thematic impact. It’s an approach that treats the game as a shared storytelling canvas, where each decision is a brushstroke.
- It’s about asking, “What would make this moment more engaging or memorable for everyone?”
- For example, an authoring player in a negotiation scene might say, “What if I make a bold, unexpected offer to heighten tension?”
Authoring feels like being the director of a play, consciously shaping arcs and scenes for maximum impact. Instead of being solely concerned with their character’s perspective, authoring players consider the needs of the group and the story. For instance, they might create a rivalry with another character, not because it’s what their character would naturally do, but because it adds intrigue to the campaign.

The strength of authoring lies in its ability to elevate the shared narrative. Players using this approach often take the initiative to create dramatic moments, plot twists, or resolutions that enrich the story for everyone. However, its reliance on meta-awareness can sometimes clash with purely immersive playstyles, as the player’s focus on narrative structure might break the illusion of the game world.

Comparing Immersion and Authoring

These two approaches might seem at odds, but they complement each other in practice. Both styles bring unique strengths to the table:
- Immersion: Grounded in the immediate experience, it creates depth and emotional connection. Players driven by immersion feel the highs and lows of their character’s journey, fostering a sense of personal investment.
- Authoring: Focused on the larger picture, it enhances storytelling and group dynamics. By stepping outside their character’s perspective, authoring players ensure the story remains engaging and cohesive.
Despite their differences, the two styles are not mutually exclusive. Many players shift between these approaches depending on the scene, the system, or the group dynamics. For example, a player might immerse themselves in their character’s fear during a dangerous encounter but step back into an authoring role to suggest a flashback that deepens the story’s emotional stakes.

Ultimately, the interplay between immersion and authoring reflects the collaborative nature of TTRPGs. A group that respects and balances these styles can create a richer, more layered experience.

The Role of Game Mechanics

Different systems lean toward one approach or the other, often shaping the way players engage with the game.
- Immersion-heavy systems: Games like traditional Dungeons & Dragons or dungeon crawlers emphasize in-character decision-making, focusing on what the character knows or perceives in the moment. Mechanics like fog of war or hidden rolls reinforce this immediacy, keeping players in their characters’ perspectives.
- Authoring-heavy systems: Games like Blades in the Dark or Fiasco encourage players to think outside the character, prioritizing dramatic twists or collaborative storytelling. Tools like flashbacks, narrative control tokens, or scene-setting mechanics invite players to shape the story actively.
While some systems explicitly cater to one style, others blur the lines. For instance, Powered by the Apocalypse games often combine immersive character moves with mechanics that encourage authorial input, such as collaboratively building the setting or defining relationships. This blend allows players to seamlessly transition between immersion and authoring as the story demands.

Designing for Balance

For game designers, the challenge is in balancing these two playstyles. Striking this balance ensures that players with different preferences can coexist within the same game.
- Immersion-focused mechanics: could include hidden information, in-character roleplay prompts, or dice rolls that represent uncertainty. For example, a system that keeps the GM’s rolls private might enhance the player’s immersion by preserving the mystery.
- Authoring-focused mechanics: might involve meta-tools like flashbacks (Blades in the Dark) or explicit narrative framing (Fate). These tools give players direct control over the story’s direction, empowering them to craft memorable moments.
Games that successfully balance these elements, like Apocalypse World or Burning Wheel, allow players to explore both immediate character experiences and larger narrative arcs. Designers can also provide optional rules or modules that cater to different playstyles, letting groups customize the game to their preferences.

A Negotiation Scene Example

To see how these styles might play out in practice:
- An immersive player in a tense negotiation might focus solely on their character’s immediate goals: “My character would never accept that deal; they’d demand a better offer.”
- An authoring player might instead think about the drama of the moment: “What if I threaten to walk away? It could create a great turning point for our story.”
Both approaches enrich the game, but in different ways. Immersion creates an authentic, character-driven experience, while authoring ensures the scene has a compelling narrative structure. Together, they can transform a simple negotiation into a multilayered, unforgettable moment.

What’s Your Preference?

Are you someone who loves to feel the world through your character’s eyes, living in the moment and letting instincts guide your choices? Or do you lean toward shaping the story from a broader perspective, crafting dramatic arcs and unforgettable moments?

Maybe you’ve played games that cater to one extreme, or you’ve found a system that strikes the perfect balance. Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments. We’d love to hear how immersion and authoring shape your playstyle! Come yell at us on Bluesky about it!

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December 14, 2024
Dice Modes: Simulation, Narrative, Oracles
This entry is part 5 of 5 in the series RPG Theory
Dice in TTRPGs: Tools That Shape Play

Dice in tabletop RPGs are more than mere randomizers. They set the tone of gameplay, define the rules of engagement, and guide storytelling. Whether you’re leveraging dice as narrative levers, world simulation tools, or answer oracles, each approach uniquely impacts the experience at your table. Beyond just mechanics, dice become an active participant in shaping the stories we tell and the worlds we explore.

Each approach, while interconnected, emphasizes a different aspect of play. Narrative levers prioritize storytelling momentum and player involvement. World simulation tools ground the game in consistency and logical outcomes. Answer oracles spark creativity and open-ended interpretation. Here’s the magic: once you get how these approaches work, you’ll see dice aren’t just deciding outcomes, they’re secretly shaping your game’s whole personality. Wanna dig deeper? We’ll tear open each category to see what makes them tick, and why they’re nothing alike at the table.

Narrative Levers: When Dice Become Storytellers

Ever played PbtA (Powered by the Apocalypse) games or Blades in the Dark? Here, dice rolls detonate plot bombs. They’re not just resolving “did I hit?”, they’re rewriting the next scene live at the table. That “mixed success” in Blades? Yeah, that’s the sound a narrative twist bursting into the room. Success and failure aren’t binary; instead, they add layers of complexity:
- Rolling a “10+” in PbtA might mean unambiguous success, moving the story toward player goals.
- A “7-9” adds drama, introducing complications or choices that deepen the story.
- A failure invites the GM to twist the plot, often in unexpected and exciting ways.
This approach makes dice feel like they’re alive, co-authoring a tale alongside the players. Every roll becomes an opportunity for narrative twists, making these systems excellent for collaborative storytelling. These mechanics reinforce player agency while embedding unpredictability into the tale.

Adding extra emphasis, games in this category blur the lines between player and GM roles, often encouraging co-authorship of the story’s direction. By doing so, they offer a sense of shared ownership that enhances player engagement and emotional investment.

Narrative levers are distinct in how they ensure the dice directly propel the story forward. Unlike world simulation, which often focuses on fidelity to the setting, narrative levers prioritize drama, pacing, and the interplay of character motivations. The emergent narrative becomes not just a backdrop but the driving force of the game.

Dice as World Simulators: Grounding in Reality

Dice as simulation tools shine in games like Dungeons & Dragons or GURPS. Here, rolls replicate the logical and physical rules of the game world. They determine whether actions succeed or fail based on character abilities and environmental challenges:
- Attack rolls simulate combat uncertainty.
- Skill checks reflect the balance between player expertise and task difficulty.
This method offers predictability within the rules of the game world, creating a grounded sense of immersion. While the outcomes might seem less narrative-focused, they provide a structure that players can depend on, fostering strategic planning and investment in their characters’ capabilities. By anchoring the story in a consistent system, simulationist mechanics lend credibility to the world.

Furthermore, this predictability creates opportunities for player growth. Mastering mechanics like attack rolls or saving throws offers a sense of achievement, which appeals to gamers who thrive on measurable progress and tactical depth.

What sets simulation apart is its focus on fidelity to the game’s logic and world-building. Unlike narrative levers that prioritize story momentum, simulation emphasizes realism and consistency. This approach draws players who enjoy solving problems within a defined framework, creating a satisfying sense of coherence and strategy.

Dice as Answer Oracles: Co-Creators of Story

Solo RPGs and GM-lite systems like Ironsworn or the Motif Story Engine elevate dice to a different role: answering questions instead of resolving tasks. These “oracles” inject creativity, surprise, and collaboration into gameplay. For example:
- Prompt: Is the forest safe?
- Roll: Yes, but…
- Interpretation: The forest is free of predators, but its twisting paths make navigation dangerous.
Oracles provide flexible prompts, encouraging players to interpret results and weave them into the narrative. This method is ideal for emergent storytelling, where the dice guide discovery rather than dictate outcomes. It fosters a sense of collaborative play (even for solo players!) by turning the mechanics into a creative partner.

An added benefit is the ability to surprise even the GM or solo player. By delegating narrative twists to the dice, oracles enhance replayability and maintain freshness during longer campaigns.

What distinguishes oracles is their open-endedness and reliance on interpretation. While narrative levers and simulation mechanics provide more structured paths, oracles thrive in ambiguity, making them ideal for discovery and emergent storytelling.

Exploring a Cave Through Different Dice Styles

Let’s illustrate how these approaches differ with a single scenario: exploring a cave.
- Narrative Lever: Roll to find out what happens next in the story. Success moves the group closer to their goal; failure introduces an unexpected challenge, such as a hidden trap.
- World Simulation: Roll to check perception. If the player fails, they miss a clue, leaving the cave’s mysteries unsolved until they retry or investigate further.
- Answer Oracle: Ask, “Is there something unusual here?” and roll for an open-ended response. “Yes, but it’s buried beneath debris. Clearing it will take time and caution.”
Each method reshapes gameplay uniquely, suiting different groups and narrative goals. That cave exploration? It’s a lens revealing your game’s priorities. Dice can anchor collaborative storytelling, simulate a consistent world, or ignite creative interpretation. But they are a large part of what defines the experience for players and GMs alike.

Oracles Can Work in Group Play

Though often associated with solo RPGs, oracle mechanics are incredibly versatile for group play. When groups interpret dice together using open-ended questions, they co-author the world and story. This shared responsibility deepens player investment and spreads narrative agency across the table.

GMs also gain from oracles, offering some structure for improvising when prep time is limited. By embracing ambiguity, groups can create dynamic and surprising stories that feel fresh and organic. This adaptability ensures oracles remain a valuable tool for a variety of play styles, from tightly structured campaigns to looser, experimental ones.

Reflecting on Your Dice Preferences

Tabletop RPGs thrive on adaptability. How you use dice (whether prioritizing narrative momentum, simulationist logic, or creative sparks) shapes what makes your sessions sing. Whether you prefer the dramatic beats of narrative levers, the immersive logic of simulation tools, or the creative flexibility of oracles, the choice shapes the kind of stories you tell.

Maybe you mix and match these methods, blending systems to fit the mood and needs of your game. Or perhaps you’re experimenting with a completely new approach. Whatever your preference, the ways we roll dice are as diverse as the players at the table.

Share your perspective with us on Bluesky. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how the smallest tools, our dice, become the heart of the stories we love.

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December 14, 2024