Contributor: Daniel W. (Arcadinal on gmail)
Submission: non-fiction piece, from Dan's blog, on sportsmanship
Dan has written an excellent piece on PCing, player dynamics, and sportsmanship. It's an important topic, and one on which many of us, myself included, don't frequently write. After reading, please go check out Dan's blog, The Paladin's Perspective. I have been following it recently, and he offers a lot of sage advice.
A couple years back there was a discussion on someone's LJ about meta-level PC/NPC interactions. NPCs are frequently told 'don't play to win, play to entertain,' but the question came up as to whether or not PCs had a responsibility to watch out for the fun level of NPCs. One person asserted no, they didn't feel they had any responsibility towards NPCs at all, which created a bit of a stir. Here's my take on it.
I've only been LARPing for several years at this point, but I've done quite a lot of NPCing over that time, and it's a hat I can't really take off anymore. I'm pretty much always trying to keep an eye out particularly during fights as to how NPCs seem to be enjoying what's going on. Why? It's pretty simple. I like big melees, and lots of them. I like having a field choked with people running about thwacking each other with sticks, but I can only do that if there's someone for me to fight. Lets face it, boffer solitaire just ain’t that fun. I love to crunch as an NPC, and I have a pretty good idea of what makes for a fun fight from both the PC and NPC side at this point. I want NPCs to come to games I PC at so I can get in good fighting, and plenty of it, so I want them to have a good time while we're going at it. So, just as while I'm NPCing I'm constantly trying gauge PC enjoyment of what's going on, as a PC I'm doing the same thing.
There are a few good rules of etiquette which are admittedly situation dependent, but I personally feel help to make for a fun time for all involved, and I strongly feel this applies regardless of what side of the line you're on.
First off, don't mob the poor 4 vitality crunchy who's out doing field pain in a 17 on 3 fight. If it's a drag out brutal melee with folks being deathstruck and high-damage lieutenants roaming the field, then sure, go all in. If on the other hand you're in a relatively secure position and you see a breathless NPC crunchy is already fighting three people, just let those folks have it. You'll get plenty of other chances to get your treasure. There's no reason to mob the poor fellow with ridiculously overwhelming numbers. It can also aggravate safety issues as multiple people descending a single frazzled out of breath fighter means more chances of wild swings and unsafe head shots. As said, it's one thing if you're running down a lieutenant, but give the grunts a break.
Secondly, gauge who you're fighting and use some common sense. I have had some awesome full speed duels with some folks who I know from experience really get into it, and it's a blast. We're running all over the place, the swings are fast and furious, both parties are clearly enjoying themselves, and its a rush. When your opponent, however, is timidly approaching taking the odd cautious poke here or there, dial it back a few notches. Especially if you're skilled enough to take the person out with some well placed taps, there's no reason to go to town on that person at high speed. Also, if you're about to engage someone who you know likes a quick fight, but notice they're standing next to some folks who maybe aren't so inclined, be mindful of this so you don't inadvertently trample or clothesline folks who are a bit less rough and tumble.
Third, some may say this breaks immersion and such, but I don't think it's out of line to periodically offer a “thank you” or “good fight” to the exhausted NPC you just put down as you search them for treasure. I noticed some PCs doing it at Madrigal when I started NPCing there, and I try and make a point of doing it myself now because that person is there devoting their time to getting beat up by me and my fellows. I think it helps to let people know their efforts are appreciated.
The bottom line is that regardless of whether you're a PC or NPC, you're at a game and it should be a communal effort to ensure that all involved are having a good time. NPCing is the volunteering of the LARP world, for the most part no one's getting paid for this. So, it's a good idea to try and keep the volunteers entertaining you happy so they'll come back. It's a game, have fun, make sure your opponent is having fun too. That is after all sort of the whole point.
If you've worked the NPC shift, have you had experiences with sportsmanship that have made you more or less inclined to NPC that game again? What is "good" vs. "bad" sportsmanship?
Submission: non-fiction piece, from Dan's blog, on sportsmanship
Dan has written an excellent piece on PCing, player dynamics, and sportsmanship. It's an important topic, and one on which many of us, myself included, don't frequently write. After reading, please go check out Dan's blog, The Paladin's Perspective. I have been following it recently, and he offers a lot of sage advice.
A couple years back there was a discussion on someone's LJ about meta-level PC/NPC interactions. NPCs are frequently told 'don't play to win, play to entertain,' but the question came up as to whether or not PCs had a responsibility to watch out for the fun level of NPCs. One person asserted no, they didn't feel they had any responsibility towards NPCs at all, which created a bit of a stir. Here's my take on it.
I've only been LARPing for several years at this point, but I've done quite a lot of NPCing over that time, and it's a hat I can't really take off anymore. I'm pretty much always trying to keep an eye out particularly during fights as to how NPCs seem to be enjoying what's going on. Why? It's pretty simple. I like big melees, and lots of them. I like having a field choked with people running about thwacking each other with sticks, but I can only do that if there's someone for me to fight. Lets face it, boffer solitaire just ain’t that fun. I love to crunch as an NPC, and I have a pretty good idea of what makes for a fun fight from both the PC and NPC side at this point. I want NPCs to come to games I PC at so I can get in good fighting, and plenty of it, so I want them to have a good time while we're going at it. So, just as while I'm NPCing I'm constantly trying gauge PC enjoyment of what's going on, as a PC I'm doing the same thing.
There are a few good rules of etiquette which are admittedly situation dependent, but I personally feel help to make for a fun time for all involved, and I strongly feel this applies regardless of what side of the line you're on.
First off, don't mob the poor 4 vitality crunchy who's out doing field pain in a 17 on 3 fight. If it's a drag out brutal melee with folks being deathstruck and high-damage lieutenants roaming the field, then sure, go all in. If on the other hand you're in a relatively secure position and you see a breathless NPC crunchy is already fighting three people, just let those folks have it. You'll get plenty of other chances to get your treasure. There's no reason to mob the poor fellow with ridiculously overwhelming numbers. It can also aggravate safety issues as multiple people descending a single frazzled out of breath fighter means more chances of wild swings and unsafe head shots. As said, it's one thing if you're running down a lieutenant, but give the grunts a break.
Secondly, gauge who you're fighting and use some common sense. I have had some awesome full speed duels with some folks who I know from experience really get into it, and it's a blast. We're running all over the place, the swings are fast and furious, both parties are clearly enjoying themselves, and its a rush. When your opponent, however, is timidly approaching taking the odd cautious poke here or there, dial it back a few notches. Especially if you're skilled enough to take the person out with some well placed taps, there's no reason to go to town on that person at high speed. Also, if you're about to engage someone who you know likes a quick fight, but notice they're standing next to some folks who maybe aren't so inclined, be mindful of this so you don't inadvertently trample or clothesline folks who are a bit less rough and tumble.
Third, some may say this breaks immersion and such, but I don't think it's out of line to periodically offer a “thank you” or “good fight” to the exhausted NPC you just put down as you search them for treasure. I noticed some PCs doing it at Madrigal when I started NPCing there, and I try and make a point of doing it myself now because that person is there devoting their time to getting beat up by me and my fellows. I think it helps to let people know their efforts are appreciated.
The bottom line is that regardless of whether you're a PC or NPC, you're at a game and it should be a communal effort to ensure that all involved are having a good time. NPCing is the volunteering of the LARP world, for the most part no one's getting paid for this. So, it's a good idea to try and keep the volunteers entertaining you happy so they'll come back. It's a game, have fun, make sure your opponent is having fun too. That is after all sort of the whole point.
If you've worked the NPC shift, have you had experiences with sportsmanship that have made you more or less inclined to NPC that game again? What is "good" vs. "bad" sportsmanship?
I think offering the "thank you" or "nice work" is really important. I tend to try to do it regularly-- after all, even if they were just stomping me in a 3-hour field fight, the NPCs are a) my friends, and b) working 10x, at least, harder than me.
ReplyDeleteAlso-- as an NPC, at game off, when you've been going 110% all weekend, it's really nice to hear some heartfelt comments. Like, "I really liked role XYZ," or "thanks for the awesome fight Saturday night." Most NPCs don't get to read the glowing PELs, and specific compliments are wonderful rewards for all the hard work.
I agree with much of this! I think PC's forget sometimes that the crunchies during that 2 hr epic field battle are putting in sometimes 2x the effort of the PC's (and doing squats!) I've adjusted my play style as well since joining plot staff for a game and NPCing a whole bunch more.
DeleteI'm totally fine with thanking NPCs as long as it's done on a one on one basis in a whispered tone. It had become a habit in VA NERO that PC's would shout "THANK YOU NPCS" after a mod. It completely broke game and really became more annoying than pleasant on both ends, especially since it became more of phrase out of habit instead of actual gratitude.
Yeah-- I've heard that a few times in Accelerant, and it was very game-breaking for me.
DeleteI like when people make loud in-game comments, "I say-- those were some tireless and skilled monsters!" I think it's cute, genuine, and doesn't break game.
When Madrigal started getting it's bad rep, my team all dedicated ourselves to making sure the NPC's got better treatment. NPC's that make it fun, challenging, and fun, get thanks and props.
ReplyDeleteIf we're laughing the middle of a mod, that's a good sign. Also, less game breaking is to tell the module hook on the way out that certain people were great.
But yeah, giving thanks should never become rote.
Heh, it's a little weird and kind of tragic but after years of NPCing in certain games where the thank yous were entirely rote, I get twitchy if I get thanked as part of a group. No matter how sincere it is, it will forever feel false to me because of how it used to be.
ReplyDeletePersonal one on one thank yous with specific details are where it's at. It's hard to come off as insincere when you're mentioning something highly situational.
On fighting down to people's skill levels: Fighting down for a more enjoyable fight is good, but it is better to fight at max than to be thought of as condescending. Nothing, for me and some others at least, sucks the fun out of a fight more than the realization that the person you're fighting is only pretending to care about you as a threat. So if you can't fight down in a way that's either undetectable or otherwise made ok if detected (for example, you know the person is fine with it), then don't do it. Let them fight up to you over time.
"Personal one on one thank yous with specific details are where it's at."
DeleteI agree. I really, really appreciate receiving specific compliments about the game. Not only do I feel good, but, as an NPC, I know what worked.
Adding to that-- the one-on-one part gives you an excuse to get to know NPCs out of game.
DeleteI try and thank NPCs as I'm searching them. Playing the goblin means I search A LOT of the downed monsters :)
ReplyDeleteIf we have the time, and it doesn't break the flow of the game, I will go and thank the NPCs in a mod. If I don't have time for that, I will try and give a 'thumbs up' as the NPCs are spiriting away from the mod.
If all else fails, I will find some of those awesome NPCs and thank them after game end. And THEN I put it in my PEL.
Haha-- you and I have the same NPC-thanking tactics. I try to make exceptional PCs know, right after game, specific things I liked. I put it in my PEL to, but, for me personally, I know a personal comment goes a long way.
DeleteThe "thank yous" definitely seem appropriate to me too! I can see how it could break game for some people, but it's hard to spotlight people in PELs for their awesomeness...
ReplyDelete"...and goblin #14 was great! They were the one who was uh.... fighting in the line .... and they looked uh...like a goblin. Average height, uh... anyway THAT person was great!"
I tend to try and find an opportunity where other PCs aren't in earshot. NPCs are already kinda in that gray area between IG & OOG since they're playing multiple roles, so it always felt harmless to me to give them a "nice fight" or whatever other compliment is appropriate for their awesomeness.