At Shadomain we love having discussions with anyone interested in games and having more fun. We’ll suggest interesting topics for discussion in our groups and publish comments here and talk about them in our YouTube channel. Check out this week’s show featuring Scott from ZealZaddy. If you want to add some comments to our discussions, join our private email group by sending an email to sh**********@***il.com or join our Discord.
The Topic
For your favorite Actual Play shows, what do you like about them? What do you wish you could see more of in an Actual Play show?
Some Cool Responses
1) The players are having just enough fun. They are enjoying the game, and not just riffing on each other and ignoring the game progress. 2) The story is interesting to me. 3) they are familiar with the rules. Not necessarily expert, but they need to know what they’re doing, even in a one-shot.
Mama Strange
I’ve tried watching actual plays to get an idea of how other people run a system, but not often. Generally, they’re too long, and not enough fun to justify spending my limited free time upon them.
The Merlitron
I vastly prefer actual plays that feel like audiodramas with only the mildest interjection of game mechanics. When those interjections occur, I like when the players know exactly what they’re doing, and what their abilities do. I don’t mind the occasional break, especially enthusiastic or comedic ones. But overall I want to feel immersed.
Sir James
For me, I have basically no desire to just watch random people play a game when I can just go do that myself with my friends. I’m interested in AP as a storytelling medium.
Hailey
Wrapping It Up
These are some great responses, but I know there’s a lot more opinions on this topic. Let us know in the comments or on Social Media, as we’ll revisit this one.
Personally I’ve watched the evolution of Actual Play shows and I look at it as another valid performance space, just as theater, television, opera, movies etc, etc. The game system that each show uses is just a framework for telling stories, as with the 3 act structure. I’m not just watching some people play a game when I could be playing myself, I’m watching a fun performance.
And if you want to join our discussions, join our private email group by sending an email to sh**********@***il.com or join our Discord.
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