Introducing adult newbies - what's hot and what's not?

[Per Fischer]

In the good old days I used to grap a Call of Cthulhu scenario to introduce people to roleplaying, but I's like to try something different.

I have a couple of friends (in their 30s, just had a kid) who responded in a very excited way when I told them about a game I am playing with my two kids (Fantasy, no fixed setting, Tristat rules). "Can we try it?" they shouted.

We talked a little about roleplaying, and though he is from Chicago they had little or no idea what RPGs are. They had heard of D&D, but actually never connected it to roleplaying.

So, I want to play with them, to show them the possibilities, but with what? I don't want anything rules heavy or that needs hours and hours of explanation, but I want more RPG than parlour game. Something not quite as light as SOAP for example.
I was wondering if new games like Dust Devils or The Pool are a good or a bad choice - regarding how much RP reference you need to understand what's going on.

Maybe I am just a chicken, I don't know ;) Any thoughts?

Per

[JamesSterrett]

I'm not familiar with the TriStat rules....  but it seems to me your sales pitch is made, and it's ready to roll.  They're heard of the game your kids play, and want to try it.  Once they're given that a whirl, and presumably had loads of fun, then you can branch out into showing them the wider picture?

[Callan S.]

I don't see whats wrong with a safe and easy to understand parlour game gamist intro, then consentually drifting it once their comfortable with it (which, with a simple game, will happen in the first five minutes)

[Bob McNamee]

I'd vote for Universalis, Pool, or Trollbabe myself.

They all hand GM-like power to the Players to one extent or another, though, so it may not appeal to you.

[Nev the Deranged]

Contrary to what some folks might think, I think breaking in new players, especially adults, is a chance to start them off with a Narrativist game, which is typically the most underrepresented style and the one that creates skills useful for any style of RP. Better, IMHO to start them off with that rather than the Gamist approach that is often harder to break out of. But that's just my 2c.

[Paul Czege]

Hi Per,

I have a couple of friends (in their 30s, just had a kid)....We talked a little about roleplaying....So, I want to play with them, to show them the possibilities, but with what? I don't want anything rules heavy or that needs hours and hours of explanation, but I want more RPG than parlour game. Something not quite as light as SOAP for example.

I am in my mid-30s. Check out http://www.halfmeme.com/master.html">My Life with Master, because I practically designed it to be the game you're asking for: low barrier-to-entry, and self-contained, so a game ends with a powerful conclusion in three or four sessions. Gameplay is collaborative for all participants, and thematically meaningful.

InSpectres and Dust Devils would also be very good choices.

Paul

[Per Fischer]

OK, thanks everyone, I think you pretty much touched on all the peoblems I had in mind.

I will definitely check My Life With Master out at some point, thanks Paul. (I am just discovering all these wonderful games you can find via the Forge, and I am just beginning :)

I think I agree with Nev that Narrativist games are probably a better choice than Gamist ones to introduce adults, and in relation to that I have no trouble (believe me, no trouble whatsoever) with letting go of GM powers. I have been in control far too long anyway ;)

I'll have a chat with my 'victims' asap, and if they bite I will post a play report here.

Cheers,
Per

[Callan S.]

Contrary to what some folks might think, I think breaking in new players, especially adults, is a chance to start them off with a Narrativist game, which is typically the most underrepresented style and the one that creates skills useful for any style of RP. Better, IMHO to start them off with that rather than the Gamist approach that is often harder to break out of. But that's just my 2c.

Actually, I suppose I agree. It's just that nar games take more skill to pull off properly, IMO. I guess I was suggesting being safe rather than risk. Still, if you do run a nar game for them and they enjoy it, you would be better off...doing a gamist game every so often is easy enough to add to the repotoire.

[Ron Edwards]

Hello,

Folks, this isn't an actual play thread. Let's close it now.

Best,
Ron