Login |  Register |  FAQ
   
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

Competitive Roleplaying

 Post subject: Competitive Roleplaying
PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:35 pm 
Brood Brother
Brood Brother

Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 12:13 pm
Posts: 283
Location: North Wales, UK
Somewhat random, but its something that has come up in other discussions I have had recently, and I was hoping for second opinion(s) ?:8):

The subject stems from a competition held annualy in the UK, the Student Nationals Wargames and Roleplay Competition. Its run at a University each year (the one who won last year runs the next), and around 200-400 turn up (Im not sure on numbers...). Many Uni's around the country send teams, who compete in various categories (around 4 wargames, 15 roleplay and a ccg or two). You get 5pts for first, 3pts for second and 1pt for third place in each category. All points are added together at the end, and the winning Uni determined (It should be noted that many, if not most, competitors are no longer students...).

Now, one thing that has bugged me for a while, is the whole idea of competitive roleplaying. Quite apart from the fact that its judged by the person running (and therefore is as much a question of getting on well with your GM than anything else), its the fact that it then rewards actually BEATING the other players, something roleplaying just shouldnt be about (In case you hadnt guessed, Im a keen roleplayer, but I normally do either WFB or 40K...). Am I totally alone in this idea (OK, I know Im not, Ive discussed it with quite a few people, but I was after more input...)?

I recently suggested maybe a different points scheme for the roleplays might be better, but it aint met with any enthusiasm. I thought you could award the same points to the whole group, as reward for working as a team and roleplaying well together, or something.

Ahem. Hopefully that vaguely makes sense, any input welcome ?:D

_________________
Reaversbane (or RB for short...)


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
 Post subject: Competitive Roleplaying
PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:51 pm 
Brood Brother
Brood Brother

Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2004 8:59 am
Posts: 3280
Location: Holywood, Northern Ireland
Gosh, how do you point a roleplaying game? I suppose it must be based on most experience points gained or something, you would have to start with a clean slate which means that the likeliest winner is the guy (or gal) that rolls the best character stats.
Sorry, it's something that has never even occurred to me and really doesn't make sense in that context, which is exactly what you are saying, so apart from agreeing with you I cannot offer much.

_________________
I'm involved in Nunnery Practice :laugh:
My latest Blog http://www.players.tacticalwargames.net ... p?blogId=8


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
 Post subject: Competitive Roleplaying
PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 3:46 pm 
Brood Brother
Brood Brother
User avatar

Joined: Fri May 20, 2005 8:45 pm
Posts: 11149
Location: Canton, CT, USA
From what I remember about D&D tourneys back in the Dark Ages of TSR, players received points for things like meeting the objective, good team play and good  roleplaying for your own character, e.g. roleplaying your character consistently, clever solutions, etc. So, it wasn't always based on having the best character or earning the most experience.

_________________
"I don't believe in destiny or the guiding hand of fate." N. Peart


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
 Post subject: Competitive Roleplaying
PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 3:59 pm 
Brood Brother
Brood Brother

Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 6:14 pm
Posts: 390
Surely it's got to be:  experience points earnt - demerits awarded * number of magic items stolen found with a structured bonus for beer, tea and cake donations to the GM.  

Orde

_________________
"I'm smelling a whole lot of 'if' coming off this plan."

Tau Army List Archive


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
 Post subject: Competitive Roleplaying
PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 4:00 pm 
Brood Brother
Brood Brother
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2003 12:46 am
Posts: 27069
Location: Edmond, Oklahoma USA
Hi!

Sounds like the kind of thing I wouldnt like doing.

RPG are about social interaction, cooperation and having fun.

Competitiveness in this context fosters all the things I try to avoid as DM:

1. PC backstabbing each other
2. Glory Hogs
3. Non-cooperative play
4. Rewarding boorish behavior because "its in character"

I think I'll pass.

Primarch

_________________
Primarch


The Primarchload
Magnetized Titans Tutorial
Net Epic Gold
Heresy Rules


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
 Post subject: Competitive Roleplaying
PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 4:57 pm 
Brood Brother
Brood Brother
User avatar

Joined: Fri May 20, 2005 8:45 pm
Posts: 11149
Location: Canton, CT, USA
Quote (primarch @ 02 Nov. 2005 (15:00))
Hi!

Sounds like the kind of thing I wouldnt like doing.

RPG are about social interaction, cooperation and having fun.

Competitiveness in this context fosters all the things I try to avoid as DM:

1. PC backstabbing each other
2. Glory Hogs
3. Non-cooperative play
4. Rewarding boorish behavior because "its in character"

I think I'll pass.

Primarch

I agree with you 100%. I'm all for good roleplaying, but the most important part is teamwork. Well, actually, the most improtant parts for me are the social interaction and having fun.  :8):

_________________
"I don't believe in destiny or the guiding hand of fate." N. Peart


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
 Post subject: Competitive Roleplaying
PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 6:37 pm 
Brood Brother
Brood Brother

Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 11:01 pm
Posts: 1455
Yeah.  I mean, my usual D&D character (a Samurai who's a long way from home) is a pain-in-the-butt prick.  Quick to take offense, slow to forgive, and very violent.  To roleplay him truly in character, I'd probably have killed at least two of my own party members by now.  

'Competitive Roleplaying' can get you some cool prizes, but it's just too restrictive.  I like being able to flirt in/out of character with a couple of folk at the table, lay a most righteous smackdown on anything smaller than a Huge dragon personally if needed, and let all the violent tendencies that the idiots at work try to pull out of me loose on the tabletop.  That's why my entire group plays.

_________________
"For the Lion and the Emperor!"


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
 Post subject: Competitive Roleplaying
PostPosted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 11:14 am 
Brood Brother
Brood Brother

Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 12:13 pm
Posts: 283
Location: North Wales, UK
Thanks for the responses guys. I have been told that changing the rules on judging roleplays will not happen :(  Ah well, good thing Im a wargamer :)  Somebody did suggest they score roleplays by the players (so each player pics their 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and the winner is chosen from that), which I actually thought was a really good idea, but hey. Its still not perfect, but it means you actually need to get on well with the rest of your party to win.

_________________
Reaversbane (or RB for short...)


Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  


Powered by phpBB ® Forum Software © phpBB Group
CoDFaction Style by Daniel St. Jules of Gamexe.net