Player Involvement in the Plot
How much player involvement should be expected in the plot of your RPG?
In some games, such as Universalis, there isn’t even a DM, just the players wresting control of the plot from each other and taking on the temporary role of DM. In others, such as D&D, the DM is expected to run the show, with the players interacting with the plot the DM provides.
Should the DM come up with the plots entirely on their own, or should the players contribute?
Many times, as I run the game, I will begin the campaign with a small semblance of a plot, with no definite end. Based on the actions of the players, and them talking amongst themselves, that will determine where it goes. There’s nothing I like better than players who say things like, “hey, I’ll bet that the Empire is preparing some sort of super-weapon!” That wasn’t part of my plan, but it is now! It makes the players feel smart for figuring out my plot, when I didn’t even know my plot.
In campaign worlds that are undefined, I’ll often tell players to come up with their own village they’re from, even their own country. Then I can incorporate that into the plot.
How about all you all? What level of involvement do the players in your group have?
I’m a ‘big picture’ sort of GM. I need to know what is happening in my fantasy world and how those events with effect the players. So as a rule, the players have no impact on the plot.
Strangely though, with my latest campaign, the players have had a real influence.
‘Rome’ is set in the ancient city of Rome around 79AD. The city is basically the historical city with a little magic thrown in. The campaign is of a very definite fixed length and the major parts of it are carefully plotted so that the whole campaign is one continuous story.
Despite this big picture, pre-defined plot, it is a city adventure and the players have a lot of freedom compared to a dungeon bash. Sometimes they have grabbed hold of some minor plot thread and pursued it relentlessly. This has led me to write more encounters and events relating to the thread, increasing its importance in the overall plot.
In many ways, the players have done more to shape the plot by accident than they would ever guess.