Kate, I really appreciate your insight. It’s really sound.
Your point about the limitations of storytelling in video games is well taken. I truly love the medium, but you’re correct that, by nature, that format of storytelling has limitations that table top RPGs don’t. Even a game like RDR2, which encourages the player to roam and explore, ultimately has to “funnel” the player’s experience in a given direction in order to further the story. If the player doesn’t ultimately go where the game is guiding them, the next narrative chapter never materializes. So, without question, on the table top, you can assuredly explore depths of character you’d never draw close to on video game screen, even in your most stat heavy CRPG titles.
Even so (not that this was being debated in the first place), RDR2 is well worth any interested video gamer’s time. It’s a remarkable achievement on numerous levels. I haven’t gotten so caught up in a game’s story since
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt.
Please understand, I wasn’t attempting to disparage my own efforts as a GM as much as express admiration/envy at what Rockstar was able to do with their cast of characters. On the whole, the members of the Van Der Linde Gang are extremely well written. While there are a few that I expect to remain in my memory for years to come, every one of them is a compelling character in their own right.
Part of the reason this struck me in the way it did is because, personally, I find drawing up believable NPCs one of the hardest parts of being a GM, Especially if you’re “working off of your own script”, as in the case of this game. In most RPG endeavors, non player characters play a significant role in informing and motivating PCs. But drawing up cast members that each have a (relatively) unique “voice” and that aren’t, in some form or fashion, cliche can be really tough.
It’s easier when you’re working with professionally written material. Then, you’re building on the foundation a skilled writer put together and have a strong head start. It’s a lot more dodgy when you’ve put the whole thing together all by your lonesome. Although in the last several months I’ve put together scenarios for
Call of Cthulhu and
Savage Worlds, along with a modern ghost story that is, as yet, without a system, the games I feel most confident about proceeding forward with here on RPOL are published scenarios. They just seem to run more smoothly, at least from my perspective.
But, you’re absolutely correct, if we, collectively, had the time and funding to focus solely on creating a memorable
Deadlands campaign, I think we could produce something rivaling RDR2 in terms of human drama. Having the time open to pursue such a goal undoubtedly has an impact.
Tamsin River:
I’ve lost interest in video games, and I’ve lost interest in other games, but your games always manage to keep my attention! I had no knowledge of the system or setting when I joined this game, but I figured if it was you and I was drawn in enough by your interest check that I’d better not pass up the opportunity.
That’s really kind and encouraging. I must be doing
something right. You keep coming back! I must confess, one of my favorite character moments of yours goes back to the first game we played together, when, at the prompting of unseen voices, you opened the door to the RV that was under assault by ghosts, even as your fellow investigators screamed in protest. Truly epic stuff. :)
On my last
Red Dead Redemption II side note, despite not being much of a Country and Western fan, this song has remained with me ever since I heard it (don’t click if you want a spoiler free RDR2 experience.)
https://youtu.be/wJ5PTIZdl-g