About FRGPosted by daHeadRat on May 1st, 2008
Welcome to Fat Rat Games! I’m Tim (aka da Head Rat) and I’m your host. Fat Rat Games (aka FRG) is just a thematic moniker for the online content related to the campaign(s) and other gaming stuff that I and my gaming group participate in. This blog is the public site for FRG and serves as an introduction for anyone interested in seeing what we’ve been up to, where we might be going, and what they might find if they were to join our gaming group. There is also a private site with an active forum and such but that is reserved for those actively participating in an FRG campaign (and select guests).
A little about me…I’ve been gaming for longer than I care to remember. Let’s just say that I started in the early days of 1st edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. I’ve had long periods of non-gaming for various reasons but always seem to come back to gaming as it is something that I simply enjoy doing. I prefer games that emphasize roleplaying over hack n’ slash and power gaming. I’ve found, however, over the years that everyone’s definition of roleplaying is somewhat different. For some, it simply means talking in silly voices or making bizarre characters that seem to stand out or appear special because of some characteristic(s) or trait(s) or engaging in some sort of deep, immersive, in-character portrayal. None of those are really define what I mean.
I guess what I’m really trying to say is that I prefer a roleplaying game that is a form of emergent storytelling. Essentially, the players (taking on the roles of the player characters) and the GM (taking on the role of the setting and NPCs) cooperate to tell a story. The story emerges as the player characters interact with the setting, the non-player characters, and any plot hooks that the gamemaster has provided and their interactions (and the reactions from the setting/NPCs) drive the plot and story forward. Railroading by the GM is counter to this approach just as much as inflexible or uncooperative or non-participatory or non-thoughtful players (and player characters) are. Trust, cooperation, and faith between the GM and the players is really key to this and, most importantly, the key to having fun. Non-cooperative, competitive, or disruptive players (or GM) detract from that fun. And fun is what I hope everyone who plays gets out of the game.
If you are interested in intrigue, plot, and an emergent story where your character(s) are a driving force (though not the only force) in creating that story, then a typical FRG campaign might just be for you.
Well, that’s enough for now. I may put together something more detailed about this emergent story idea later.
Cheese!
Tim (aka da Head Rat of Fat Rat Games)