MOTIVATIONin a Pen & Paper RPG Campaign

“The essence of a role-playing game is that it is a group, cooperative experience.”

Gary Gygax (1938 - 2008)

GAME MASTERProviding the world

Knowing the adventureKnowing and adjusting the rules

Setting the stageControlling the flow of information

Setting the paceProviding the action

Determining outcomesEnding things

Propelling the world ever forwardDiscouraging metagame thinking

Running the Game

MOTIVATION

1. a reason or reasonsfor doing something.

2. desire to do something; enthusiasm.

Definition

PLAYER’SMOTIVATORS

CONVIVIALITYEXOTICISM

FRIENDS

ADVENTURE

CHALLENGE

FREEDOM

Intrinsic Motivation

HEROISM

UNEXPECTED

FUN Hard FunChallenge, Mastery, Strategy.

Easy FunCuriosity, Creativity,Role play.

Serious FunMeaning, Value, Therapy.

People FunSocial bonds, Team work,

Competition.

4 Keys 2 Fun

KNOWING THE PLAYERS 1/3

The OptimizerThe Brawler

The Tactician

GAMEPLAY

The StylistThe ActorThe Storyteller

Profiles

ROLEPLAY

HARDFUN

EASYFUN

PEOPLE FUN

Player 1

Player 2

Player 3

Player 4

Player 5

Optimizer

Brawler

Tactician

Stylist

Actor

Storyteller

The Optimizerwants a collection of

powers optimized for the acquisition of more

powers. The Brawlerwants plenty of chances

to prove his character superiority over all who

would challenge him.

The Tacticianwants a regulate world in which the quality of his choices determines his success of failure.The Stylist

wants to play a unique and strongly stylized

character.

The Actorbases his decisions on

his understanding of his character's psychology.

The Storytellerwants to take part in a fun narrative that feels like a book or a movie.

ROLEPLAY

GAMEPLAYGAMEPLAY

ROLEPLAY

KNOWING THE PLAYERS 2/3

Likes and Dislikes

KNOWING THE PLAYERS 3/3

GAMEPLAY

ROLEPLAY

Team Profile

CHARACTER’SMOTIVATORS 1/3

FearGreed

Revenge

Need

MoralityAnger

Curiosity

Extrinsic Motivation

Power

CHARACTER’S MOTIVATORS 2/3

Health

PreservationMeaning

Success, Wealth

Progress, Improvement

Needs

CHARACTER’S MOTIVATORS 3/3

Morality

KNOWING THECHARACTERS

MOTIVATORS

NEEDS

MORALITY

BASIC STATISTICSStrong pointsWeak points

GOOD STRUCTURE

CHOICES

DIFFERENT SORTS OF ENCOUNTERS

EXCITING EVENTS

ENCOUNTERS THAT MAKE USE OF PCs ABILITIES

BAD STRUCTURE

LEADING THE PCs BY THE NOSE

PCs AS SPECTATORS

DEUS EX MACHINA

PREEMPTING THE PCs ABILITIES

WHAT CAN RUINS PLAYER’S MOTIVATION ?

Bad luckGive opportunities to shine without hazard interference.

FrustrationMake sure each player gets to make his own decisions.

UselessnessMake sure everyone gets his heyday.

BoredomIdentify each player aspirations.

Lack of respectSet table rules.

SuspicionBe fair and trustworthy.

Love or birthThat’s beyond your expertise.

THANK YOU

Dungeon Master Guide v.3.5 - Monte Cook4 Keys 2 Fun - XEODesignRobin’s Laws of Good Gamemastering - Robin Laws

Special thanks to my tabletop mates

Design Academy 2.0 - bertrand.israel@ubisoft.com