Gaming Etiquette 101
All RPGs have one thing in common: people. Gaming is a social experience and, therefore, poses potential social problems. Let’s face it, we’ve all experienced the arguments, the screaming matches, the declarations of war and death threats. It’s not the game’s fault; people are naturally competitive and role-playing games are a perfect battleground for disaster. But this doesn’t have to be the case.
I’ve played in hundreds of games under various Game Masters in all kinds of situations. Believe me, I’ve seen it all. Because of this I’ve developed a series of checks and balances to take into consideration before you ever roll that first die (or whatever means of calculation the game demands).
Wheaton’s Law
Being that you’re a gamer it’s safe to assume you’ve seen your fair share of Star Trek episodes (Shut up Star Wars fans! I don’t want to hear it!) Wil Wheaton played the young Wesley Crusher in The Next Generation and, being a child star of sci-fi, he has had more than enough experience with fans and gamers alike. During his travels he very wisely proclaimed this law (more for the benefit of online gaming, but the rule still applies): Don’t be a Dick.
Seems simple, right? Before you find yourself in any gaming situation it’s important to realize that the personality you portray will effect everyone around you, whether you like it or not. No one is receptive to asshole-ish type behavior in any situation.
Role-playing serves no other purpose other than to entertain. And, like most entertainment experiences, being in a foul or aggressive mood will ruin it for everyone in the group. It pains me to think that I have to quote Bambi on this, but, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.” Before you speak, ask yourself, “Is what I’m about to say constructive? Will anyone be offended? Will my words be of some benefit to someone?” Trivial as this rule seems, it really is the essential component of any social experience.
You are not God’s gift to Earth
I’m sure we’re all impressed at how much time you spend in your Mother’s basement learning all the odds and ends of your game of choice. Gloating about it will get you absolutely nowhere. Try and remember that not everyone in your group has the time or money to invest as deeply as you have. Most gamers just want to sit down and play the game. So what if their characters aren’t as “perfect” as yours. Role-playing is all about being with friends, not who can dish out the most damage or who has a trick for every situation. No matter what you have on pencil and paper remember, you’re still just someone sitting at a table, eating Doritos, like everyone else.
Your character is NOT you
It can be challenging for new gamers to step outside their own sense of reason and morals to play someone else. It’s a skill that takes practice, and that’s understandable. It’s also understandable for a gamer to have a special attachment to their character. Again, perfectly natural. It’s something you’ve invested time into. That doesn’t mean that every bad thing that happens to him/her is a direct reflection on how the GM or another player feels about you. Every good story needs tragic moments and sometimes that tragedy is yours.
Maybe it was an unlucky dice roll. Maybe you acted a bit too rash and got caught in a trap. Maybe one of your friends is really a secret assassin and you were his target—it happens! Building up the fourth wall while gaming is a much needed skill. Start by trying not to take things so personal.
Do a little research
No two games will ever be alike. Some games are about the adventure, some about the battle. Some games are pointless and only exist to make everyone laugh. Find out what kind of game you’ll be in before you even make your character.
If you’re about to play a quick game to kill some time then don’t try and create an overly complex character. That will easily burn through half your play time. On the reverse side don’t just slap a character together if you know the GM has been spending days on this single adventure. He’s probably going to throw a bunch of curve balls at you, so be ready.
Learning about the world you’ll be in is also critical. There may be things that just don’t exist in the story, or there may be new things added that could be for your benefit. Don’t be afraid to pick the brain of the GM. You may be rewarded.
Bring snacks
More than likely, someone has let you into their home to game (probably one of your fellow players). For the love of God, bring some chips! Role-playing can sometimes take hours out of a day and most people like to have a snack or two. It’s unreasonable to assume your host will also supply their guests with all the food necessary to fend off the munchie brigade. Worse yet, nothing disrupts a game quite like an extended snack run. Be a good guest and help feed the horde.
Just try and remember that Role-playing is nothing more than a social interaction with rules (conveniently packaged for easy reference!). If you follow the rules and play nice then chances are everyone will have a pleasant evening waiting for them. But don’t forget, sometimes rules are meant to be broken. You just have to know when.
