Metagaming and Me

Howdy, Wastelanders! 

And welcome to today’s Pro-Tip Thursday! Special topic today - Metagaming. Let’s dig in!

Metagaming is a common term that we’ve all heard before in ANY role playing game. But it all means the same thing. Metagaming is taking out of character knowledge and using that knowledge to make in-game decisions or actions even though your character should have no knowledge of the topic. 

An example of metagaming would be this. Let’s say Nikki and I are just hanging out OUTSIDE of the game. It’s an off week and we’re not onsite, let alone in our kits. But we’re discussing our characters, motivations, etc. Nikki discloses to me that her character, Shelagh, has a fracture that makes Shelagh go on a murder spree. Obviously, Nikki is nervous about it because it could cause some major friction with her character and has the possibility of CvC. Next game comes around and I remember that Nikki discloses to me about Shelagh’s fracture. So the first thing that I do as my character, Sierra, is to go fix her fracture without any medical checks or speaking to her about it. Sierra just goes and does it. Because I made Sierra react to the out of game information, I just metagame.

“But Lauren, how do I differentiate between out of game knowledge and in character knowledge?! Sometimes I get confused.” Super fair, random voice that I gave life to in order to transition to this next point. There are many ways to check if information you are gathering is in character or out of character. For example, if you’re not in the game space and you’re just shooting the shit with your friends, what you tell them there is treated as out of character knowledge. 

That being said, sometimes there are moments in game where that line gets blurred due to various reasons. In that case, you can use the out of character symbol (closed fist held on top of head) and go find a guide to ask for a clarification. Then, you can act accordingly with the response you’ve been given.

There are also moments out of the game that you can set up for in character knowledge. For example, we have two discord channels that are titled with “IC”. “IC” is “In Character”. Anything shared in those channels are in fact in character and common knowledge. Some folks will have soft RP chats outside of the game. Obviously, that information shared in those channels and spaces are in character knowledge and can be acted upon. If you can’t remember if specific information you’re wanting to act on is in-game or out of game knowledge, RP it where you’re finding out information again or ask a guide if it’s common knowledge. That way, you’re protecting yourself from any potential missteps or errors.

Let’s talk about the in-character (IC) and out of character (OOC) spaces at Rogers Scout Reservation. There are a handful of spaces at the site that are considered IC and OOC. Here’s that list:

OOC

• The entire site before 9:00 PM on Friday and the entire site after 12:00 PM on the following Sunday

• The medical cabin

• The lodge on the hill

• Personal tents and sleeping spaces

• Ops center (unless the Ops guide you’re with is working with you on something and specifies otherwise)

• DJ Yard (Where the cars are parked)

IC

• The entire site starting at 9:00PM Friday night until 12:00 PM Sunday afternoon

• Spaces OUTSIDE of sleeping areas

The tents can get a little convoluted sometimes. But those need to be treated as an out of character space overall. A lot of folks play different LC’s or NPCs and utilize their tent spaces to make the change of characters. That should not be held against a player. Let’s say that at  game, I decide that I want to play my alternative character. I’m going to my tent to change out of one kit and into another. If another character takes the chance to trail and follow Sierra to gather information/murder/whatever, they have up until I get into my tent to make an action. Otherwise, they must treat the next person who steps out of the tent as a new face. Unless Sierra herself steps back out. If that’s the case, then they can resume as normal.

Remember where the in-character spaces are. Whatever you say in the character spaces are considered in-character as long as no one is making the out of character symbol. So if your character decides to LOUDLY whisper a secret to another character and some passerby catches it, that’s on your character. However, if you’re having out of game conversations with other players, ensure that you’re in a space in which you’re having the discussion is out of sight and earshot of other players. Please refrain from having out of character conversations that last more than a minute in in-character spaces.

Dystopia Rising isn’t just a physical combat game. There’s a myriad of social interactions that take place. We always ask people to respect the spirit of the game. Respect your fellow players and the space in which they’re sharing information. If you’re ever unsure, ask the clarifying question.

Now, go forth and have fun at game this weekend. Make good choices and stay safe in the wastes!

Staying Engaged in Online Spaces

Howdy, Wastelanders!

And welcome to our next Pro-Tip Thursday. Tomorrow is our virtual game. While we’re ecstatic to bring this game to you, we also recognize that the online game is vastly different from an in-person game. Today, I’m going to bring you some tips, tricks, and guidance on how to stay immersed and engaged in the online setting. 

Role Playing (RP) with Players/NPCs

One of the beautiful things about playing in a virtual setting is the diversity of players that attend. People who typically can’t make a game all the way in Arkansas are able to attend virtually and test out the Arkansas flavor of Dystopia Rising. This is a great opportunity to meet new characters and people!

If you find yourself in a Discord channel working on something and someone pops by, give them a little wave. Introduce yourself. At the bar trying to recover from rad sickness with people you don’t really know? Start up a game of Truth or Wrench! A little hint for this weekend’s game - ZOMs will exist whose success and benefits will be greater with more people engaged in it. There’s ample of opportunities that you can take advantage of to engage with different folks from different chapters. Some of these new found friends end up creating long time friendships and accidental adoptions into a DR family. 

RP with ZOMs

As I mentioned above, there will be ZOMs that exist throughout the weekend. There’s…a lot. To figure out what ZOM exists in a channel, simply click the little “pin” button and pull up “Pinned Messages”. The first thing that will pop up is the ZOM for that channel. Some of these ZOMs will change depending on how many people are interacting with them and what the rolls are. When starting to engage in a ZOM, it’s important to note when you’re starting in the Discord channel, when you’re finished in the channel, and the outcome of your roll. 

I’m going to use my character, Sierra, as an example. Let’s say that there is a ZOM that exists in a channel labeled “Artisan Area” and the ZOM that is active there states “Any player may spend 10 minutes and make a Civilized Roll.” The ZOM will list out what the results are depending on the roll. Well, I want Sierra to engage in this ZOM. So what I’ll do is go in the channel and write: “Sierra bumbles into the artisan area and begins clanking tools around, finding the perfect one to start her work.” The moment I hit enter, it’ll drop the date/time I submitted it. That way in 10 minutes, I can make the roll and RP whatever the outcome is. If you have multiple people working on the same ZOM at the same time, this could be a fun interaction with one another and draw out meaningful RP. 

RP Actions

There’s a lot of story that can be told alone in RP actions. Much like an author, you can give so many indicators to your character’s emotions, thoughts, motives, etc. through actions in RP. As another example, two characters had a conflict of interests with one another in a mod and they’re not fans of each other. While the initial conflict started in one setting, it could very well continue once they’re back from the mod with simple actions. Cydney (player of Echo) displays Echo’s mood from the encounter by placing her in the next scene with something like, “Echo angrily storms into the bar, throwing her supply bag on a table and taking her seat.” What information can you gather about Echo at this moment? Elements like that can really add depth to the scene, the character, and the interaction that follows after.

Once more, if you’re going to engage with another player in a hostile setting please remember the social contract. That can be re-read here - https://www.dystopiarisingar.com/unvarnished-truth/2024/2/15/pro-tip-thursday-renewing-the-social-contract

Taking Breaks

There’s a different type of exhaustion that hits when you’ve been sitting behind a screen for a length of time than what you may experience at game. Even though you’re not running in the heat and smacking your friends with wacky-bats, being present in an online setting can quickly take social batteries. Be sure to take breaks periodically. Go stretch, go walk, drink water (yes, hydration is still important), get a little snicky snack, just get away for a moment. It’s needed. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, step away. That’s a great thing the online space can offer.

With all the above in mind, have so much fun this weekend!

CvC and Me

Howdy Wastelanders!

As you know, next week is our June game. While everyone is gearing up for this next trade, I want to take just a moment and talk about CvC and how you interact with it in game. 

What is CvC?

It’s an acronym that is used a lot in our game. CvC is “Character vs. Character”. It can be initiated in a myriad of ways but ultimately it’s when Character(s) A takes an action against Character(s) B with the intent of conflict. CvC takes many forms in our game. At our game, we recognize four different types of CvC.

1. Social - partaking in actions that would actively turn characters against another character.

2. Financial - attempting to ruin the finances of another character.

3. Combative - engaging in combat that has the potential to lose infection.

4. Passive - CvC triggered after a character is no longer present. For example, your character sends another character a trapped item with the intent of maliciousness (infection loss, poisoning the other character, aiming for infection loss, etc.). 

Steps leading to CvC

There’s a lot of different personalities in our game. Sometimes, it does lead to a conflict with one another. If you think that there’s about to be a conflict with your character and another character, what steps should you take to prepare for it? 

Premeditated Conversations with the Impacted Party

If you know in advance that your character is going to have an issue with another character’s actions, an out of character conversation should be had. Having a conversation with the other person involved with the conflict is necessary. It needs to be an out of character player-to-player conversation about the situation and character’s responses to it. This is where verbal steering agreements come into play. During this steering agreement, both parties will have the opportunity to work together for a desired outcome. 

If the two players that are attempting to engage in CvC do not get along with one another outside of the game, they should not engage in CvC as their characters with one another. 

Invitation to CvC

Once the steering conversation has been had and if the players come to an agreement about next steps. When the ingredients for CvC rise, throw up our sign to initiate the CvC request. It’s just cupping your hand to make a “C” and holding it to your chest where the character you’re interacting with can provide a thumbs up to confirm their consent to the next actions that your character wishes to follow or thumbs down to decline CvC.

Declining CvC

When a player is declining CvC, they’re essentially declining to escalate the issue. Both parties are agreeing to not initiate that role play and escalate the topic to a bigger outcome. Now, if someone declines to partake in the CvC action but still initiate behaviors that are antagonistic or pushing towards the CvC action either way, that’s a moment to step out of character (closed fist placed on top of head) and have a mediation conversation. If the conversation OOC escalates, both parties should find a guide to help with the meditation. If escalation continues and no mediation is found, it then needs to be escalated to an employee.

A lot of words were just thrown around. Let’s do a hypothetical scenario using Felix (played by Truate) and Cinder (played by Cody). Felix is in the bar, talking loud shit about Cinder. Cinder is right there and has had enough. Cody throws up the “C” to Truate and Truate realizes that he doesn’t exactly want that smoke. So, he’ll respond with a thumbs down and as Felix, will verbally say, “Oh shit, you’re mad mad. Yeah, I don’t want to get my ass beat. I’ll stop.” and Felix will stop shit talking Cinder in the bar for the remainder of the scene.

However if Truate thumbs down to decline the CvC action but continues shit talking Cinder in that moment, there will be an opportunity for them to step out of character and have a steering conversation. If that doesn’t get them anywhere, they’ll find a guide that doesn’t have a conflict of interest in the scene and mediate that way. If that conversation continues to escalate even with the guide, Truate and Cody will find another employee (like Curtis) to have mediation in that form.
When do you need a guide for CvC?

There’s a lot of situations in which it’s questionable if a guide should be present for CvC action or not. Here’s when you’ll need a guide for CvC actions:

1. Any and all thefts, no matter the location in game.

2. Any attempted murders, no matter the location in game (wastelands vs town).

3. If a potential CvC outcome could result in lethal combat.

4. Any time you’re unsure if you need one. Always safe to have a guide to monitor a scene rather than not.

Please note that if you’re going to engage in CvC and you’re in need of a guide that you find a guide that has no conflicts of interest within your character or the outcome of the scene. For example, if my character Sierra was going to steal from Truate’s character, Felix, I would have to go find a guide to monitor the scene. When looking for a guide, I’d find someone who wasn’t related to me or any of my characters in or out of game, isn’t associated with my crew, or could potentially be engaging in CvC with my actions. That helps narrow down my options and I’m able to ask that way. 

Any questions, comments, concerns? Let’s chat!

What is Bleed?

Hello Wastelanders!

Today’s topic touches on a heavy subject. In our LARP, you may have heard the term “Bleed”. And not in a “my character is bleeding out and dying” form. But “my emotions from myself are bleeding into my character” and/or vice versa. For this topic, I want to help everyone understand what bleed is, utilizing the okay check-in system, and fostering a positive play environment for everyone. Now, I know you’re probably thinking/saying “I always do the check-in system!” And that’s awesome! We still want to give you a run down of how things can escalate, how you can handle them, and tips for keeping it smooth.

Sometimes, there will be weekends where we’re not playing at our 100% or when it’s incredibly difficult to remove yourself from your character. This is a common phenomenon known as “bleed”. “Bleed is when emotions bleeds over between player or character, in either direction.” (E.Boss, Ropecon 2007). It’s something that’s heard in the world but difficult to define. We are pulled into an immersive world; it only makes sense that our emotions and decisions are influenced by the world we just spend 3 days playing in. Or leading up to game, it’s been an absolute shit show and your character isn’t at 100%. Then, they make decisions that they typically wouldn’t make. That's completely okay! Bleed isn’t inherently evil but on the flip side, it isn’t always positive. If you don’t recognize when you’re experiencing bleed, it can not only impact yourself, but the players around you. And that’s when it becomes an issue. The important thing is being able to recognize bleed, knowing how to navigate it, and taking steps to ensure you and those around you are having the experience you want at LARP.

Now that we’re all on the same page as to what bleed is, let’s talk about management tools. 

Check-In System

Dystopia Rising chapters have various check-in systems that are utilized at their games. The one we implement at Arkansas is simple. When you’re initiating a check-in with someone, look at the person you’re wanting to check-in with (try to make eye contact with them if you are able to do so) and throw a subtle thumbs up gesture. As a response, you should receive either a thumbs up, thumbs down, or a “so-so” hand wave. On the thumbs up, continue running the scene as is. For the thumbs down and “so-so” hand wave, back off and go out of character (placing a closed fist above or on top of your head). There, you and the person you are checking-in on can have a steering conversation.

Debriefing

You can do this in many forums, honestly. In our Discord server, we have a channel dedicated to debrief chat. There is also a channel called bleed discussion. You can utilize either of those spaces exactly for that! Or at Afters while eating delicious pizza offers a safe space to have those debrief conversations as well. There will have been some tense moments throughout the weekend and that’s a great time to check in with other players. “Hey, my character was an absolute ass to you. On an out of character level, I’m so sorry. Would you like to talk about what happened?” What I like to do is find my debriefing buddy. 90% of the time it’s Nikki (thank you for your services). If there was a scene that just didn’t sit right with me, I run my experience by her and we hash it out.

Writing

Also in our discord server, we have a channel dedicated to writing game hype or writing prompt responses/funsies. That is also 100% a way to decompress and navigate some of those intense emotions you may have experienced throughout the weekend. Writing about events that took place in your character’s point of view, reliving that moment can be a way to help understand why the bleed took place.

Boundary Setting

Setting boundaries is a great way to protect not only yourself, but others from bleed. If there’s particular scenes that are taking place that you KNOW you’re going to have an issue with on an out of character level, set a boundary that benefits all involved. It can be something as simple as “Hey, I’m not comfortable with your RP interrogation methods. If this is something that you’re set on doing, please let me know so I can step away from the scene for a moment.” Setting those proactive boundaries can make or break your entire experience for the weekend.

At the end of the day, we want everyone to engage in the experience they want from this game as long as they’re being safe about it. Knowing what bleed is and how to navigate it is an incredibly useful tool to have on hand at an event. To understand more about Bleed and its impacts in and out of game, please go check out this fantastic article that deeps dive further into it. https://nordiclarp.org/2015/03/02/bleed-the-spillover-between-player-and-character/

Thank you for tuning in this week and we’ll see you next time. Remember, stay safe in the Wastes!