Best Practices for Teaching New Games? - RPG Crossing
RPG Crossing Home Forums Create An Account! Site Rules & Help

RPG Crossing
Go Back   RPG Crossing > Feedback & User Resources > Gaming Advice > Game Master (GM) Mentoring
twitter facebook mastodon bluesky
0 7 0 0
... raised for charity!
: +

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old Mar 31st, 2024, 08:17 PM
squirmonkey's Avatar
squirmonkey squirmonkey is offline
Great Wyrm
Outplay 2023
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Dec 12th, 2024
RPXP: 6986
squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey
Posts: 1,337
Best Practices for Teaching New Games?

Hey everyone,

I wanted to ask what the community's thoughts are on this. I'm thinking of running a game of Avatar Legends on the site soon. The game isn't super popular, so I'm expecting to have players who are interested in the game that have no familiarity with the rules.

What I'm wondering is how I should go about teaching the game. To what degree is it reasonable of me to expect players to buy the book, or to read excerpts from it that I provide? Is there advice on how much to teach before starting play? Are there rules about how much information I'm allowed to share (as opposed to telling the players they need a copy of the book)?

I appreciate your advice!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old Apr 1st, 2024, 04:19 AM
Starflier's Avatar
Starflier Starflier is offline
Community Supporter
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Dec 12th, 2024
RPXP: 19757
Starflier Starflier Starflier Starflier Starflier Starflier Starflier Starflier Starflier Starflier Starflier
Posts: 6,798
I generally think that going through character creation is the best way to 'learn' a new system for players since it will touch on most aspects they will need to know (what's on their sheet). PbP is generally slow enough to give time to look up rules and discuss in OOC threads, so even if players don't know all the rules the format is forgiving. As to sharing, that's trickier because there are site rules governing that sort of thing.

As to buying the books, Avatar Legends is currently part of a Humble Bundle if they're so inclined to purchase it, along with some other games (the 29 item bundle).
__________________
Originality is the fine art of remembering what you hear but forgetting where you heard it. - Laurence J. Peter
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old Apr 1st, 2024, 02:05 PM
squirmonkey's Avatar
squirmonkey squirmonkey is offline
Great Wyrm
Outplay 2023
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Dec 12th, 2024
RPXP: 6986
squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey squirmonkey
Posts: 1,337
Ooh thanks for the tips! And for the bundle, I should get the ad up soon so that people can get that if they want it.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old Apr 1st, 2024, 03:31 PM
zevonian's Avatar
zevonian zevonian is offline
137 NPSG Graduates
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Dec 12th, 2024
RPXP: 48414
zevonian zevonian zevonian zevonian zevonian zevonian zevonian zevonian zevonian zevonian zevonian
Posts: 41,194
If there are free and legal copies of a basic rules or players' guide, on a legit site such as drivethrurpg, you can post a link to that site/pdf.

Also, if you are using a system you know is rarely used here, consider looking through Players Seeking Games for recent threads from would be players interested in that system. Might be able to find someone to invite to check out your ad.

Last edited by zevonian; Apr 1st, 2024 at 03:33 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old Dec 4th, 2024, 08:17 PM
DerangedDiligence's Avatar
DerangedDiligence DerangedDiligence is offline
The Story-Teller
 
Tools
User Statistics
Last Visit: Dec 4th, 2024
RPXP: 50
DerangedDiligence
Posts: 5
I always do a write-up for every, new game that has clear instructions on how to build their character and prepare for play. This way I can hand them a printout and walk away and not worry about it. If they have questions, I answer. That's about it. I don't expect players to know everything about the setting or system. That's my job. =] The cheat-sheet technique has always done me well.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:37 AM.
Skin by Birched, making use of original art by paiute.(© 2009-2012)


RPG Crossing, Copyright ©2003 - 2024, RPG Crossing Inc; powered by vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. Template-Modifications by TMB