By Cixtian S. Trybe
Published: October 3, 2005
It is important, in the whole scheme of things, to set up a game properly –before- play begins, so that success (A long enjoyable game life) is possible, and players understand what is to come and what is expected of them during play.
The first thing I advise all Game Masters to do is develop a set of house rules. These are rules of play that the Players should read, and agree upon before the game ever begins. This keeps everyone on the same page, as far as how and when the game is run, as well as what is expected, and what is appropriate for your game.
In some games the House Rules, are called the ‘Play Contract’, and represent a document comprised by both the players, and game master to erect an agreed upon set of objectives and rules. These documents tend to sew a bit of solidarity with the group, and the GM because they are both putting forth effort toward the success of the Game.
Other games have Rules listed by the game master, and are immutable laws that can and should not be broken.
Air, and attitude
The air and attitude that is used to comprise your list of rules is a very important aspect. It is the language, and manner used in writing these rules, and it’s important because it tends to convey the very nature, and attitude of the people who are running or moderating the game.
In general we advise that a list of rules be written in a friendly, non-imposing manner. Stating the list of rules in an empirical, or unbending manner gives the player the sense the GM is himself, empirical, and unbending… a trait that is quite undesirable in a game master.
Conversely, an attitude of silliness, and joking apathy, tends to cause people to wonder at the seriousness of the game master, and thus the game.
To strike a good prose, it’s important that the GM write things as if he understands that this thing he is doing, this master piece of writing, is just a game in most of his players eyes. Make your points, and be direct about them, but don’t be tyrannical, or iron fisted. It’s understandable to want things your way, but flexibility, and openness goes a –loooong- way in a game.
Listing Rules
It’s important to format the rules so that the players understand what each rule is. Write down each bullet point as a single, clear, concise sentence, and then elaborate on them in sub paragraphs. I know this sounds ‘anal’, but a player wants to get into the meat of the game as quickly as possible, so by bullet pointing the main rules, he can, if he wishes breeze through them to get the general ideas… AND when something catches his eye, that he doesn’t quite understand… he can delve further into the ruling.
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