I use a skill-based system with dozens of social skills, and experience is kept within each skill. So when a clever player uses ‘Contact’ and ‘Local customs, Igbar’ to find a high-quality Alchemist in that small city, they gain experience in those skills. We also have the house rules that allow players to ask for roleplaying awards in those skills (which is often the funniest part of every session).

But I would be lying if I called it quick or simple.

The trouble with most systems, especially ones that use levels or ‘points’ as a means of tracking character progression is that they need something concrete to base that progression on. How well someone roleplays is entirely subjective, while how many monsters they kill of rating X compared to the players current rating is cold hard numbers that can be easily turned into appropriate resources for character progression.

That’s why I tend to stick to freeform for most things, because it’s hard to keep subjective actions from being swallowed by other mechanical rules. It’s an all or none situation for me with rules, so I tend to lean towards none.

Of course, rules do add time.

But I just wanted to throw it out there that ‘Roleplaying-intensive’ games can actually benfit from a ‘mechanics-intensive’ system, if the mechanics in question are not combat heavy, but emphasize social skills and character-growth.

(Of course, this often drives one to abandon all other rule systems and mke one’s own, but that is a different thread.)

I find that its easier to pay attention to a character and their actions and really craft immersive responses from NPC’s, the world in general and describe events with more dramatic flair and fun when I’m not shackled by a rules system or have to stick my nose in a rulebook for ten minutes looking for some esoteric rule for the unlikely/complicated action/event that inevitably takes place.

Of course, being very flexible with rules as a GM can achieve the same effect, a sort of hybrid freeform/system game, the trouble with hybridising is that the players tend to look to the rules too much for guidance/advantages then to get around the freeform decisions and that ends up being a hassle.

So, if Step 3 is “State Your Intentions”, Step 3 1/2 should be “State How you’re putting your money where your mouth is.” Back it up with concrete rewards to the players.

And hey, first comment at Gnome Stew!

I’d say system comes after “declare your intentions”, because there will definitely be feedback from the players, and the choice of system should reflect both the GM and the players’ desires.

Good choice; I was starting to think about more RP-heavy gaming…

I don’t think it is that players ignore the theme and mood set out in the social contract or with the GM, but that they lapse into their own play styles after a while.

@Patrick: You’re right, choosing the right system should probably be step 3, though it could be step 4 — I think I’ll slot it in there in the second part of this series. Thanks!

@Tommi: I agree that they’re distinct elements, but for me they combine into what I think of as an RP-intensive game. It’s definitely a personal definition.

At least the following are clearly distinct: In-character dialogue and acting, decisionmaking as the character, marginalising the effect of mechanics.

(I also don’t see how the last one is related, but that is semantic quibbling and hence uninteresting.)

I think you left out an important step: Choose the right system. If you want intense role playing you should play a system that was designed for such an effect. You need to have the right tools for the job.

I’ve always tried to have a Roleplaying-intensive campaign, but until this one i’m playing now, all the attempts were just a failure.

Now it seems that the wind is changing a bit and with a switch between some players who went away and some that went in, we’re trying with some success to roleplay in a more serious way.

i believe the “Know your Group” step is the most important, not only for what they like of the game, but know him/her as a person.. know how he/she will react to something and his/her approach to the game itself.. if you know this, you know how to press the right button to switch on the roleplayin’ machine!