Is there a good article/post on story ideas that work in RPGs versus film/literature

whswhs · 12-10-2014, 08:40 AM

It's difficult to dramatize a caper plot. I've run such scenarios, and they were tricky.

On one hand, a caper involves intricate planning and preparation that is known to the heroes. But it all takes place offstage, so it's not known to the audience till they see the plan being carried out.

But on the other hand, the players are the audience, but they're also the planners. If they don't do the planning ahead of time, there is no plan. If they do the planning ahead of time, and it goes off without a hitch, playing out the caper is an anticlimax; it's hard to have any tension. If it runs into major snags and creates tension, it undermines the sense that the heroes are really good at what they do.

Bill Stoddard

12-10-2014, 08:40 AM	#3
whswhs Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lawrence, KS	Re: Is there a good article/post on story ideas that work in RPGs versus film/literat It's difficult to dramatize a caper plot. I've run such scenarios, and they were tricky. On one hand, a caper involves intricate planning and preparation that is known to the heroes. But it all takes place offstage, so it's not known to the audience till they see the plan being carried out. But on the other hand, the players are the audience, but they're also the planners. If they don't do the planning ahead of time, there is no plan. If they do the planning ahead of time, and it goes off without a hitch, playing out the caper is an anticlimax; it's hard to have any tension. If it runs into major snags and creates tension, it undermines the sense that the heroes are really good at what they do. Bill Stoddard