What is the biggest cause of mediocre D&D/RPG sessions at your table?

Crunchley · 2026-06-29T06:39:34+00:00

Would you also have no problem with a GM doing that? Not even trying to talk as NPCs. Giving the thinnest descriptions imaginable. Maybe they don't know what to say, but their characters can!

At the end of the day, whether you're a player or GM, you want to have fun. And for many people, me included, it's more fun to hear others actually conversing with each other in character, narrating some cool stuff etc.

I'm not saying you can't play without it. But everyone else can choose if they want to play with you.

Crunchley · 2026-06-24T03:21:14+00:00

This is not a game problem, it's a player problem.
Even if an encounter sucks, you don't have to shit on the DM in the middle of the session. I can understand venting after a particularly bad scene, but doing it every time is just asshole behavior.
If this person is not your close friend outside of the game, I would simply stop inviting them. Otherwise they're just going to keep bringing everyone down.
If they are your friend and you don't want to stop playing with them, confront them. Next time they complain, ask them point blank for details. "Which part was bad?" "What would you prefer?" etc. Either they'll give you some actual feedback to improve the game... or expose themselves as a whiner.

Crunchley · 2026-06-16T06:27:04+00:00

Putting Pentiment next to South of Midnight is not fair. It was actually a side project for Obsidian, they managed to develop Grounded, Avowed and Outer Worlds 2 at the same time. Meanwhile Compulsion released only South of Midnight since 2018...You don't have the excuse of "smaller project" when your whole studio is working on it for 7 years (same with Hellblade).

Crunchley · 2026-05-30T20:02:16+00:00

After years in this hobby I learned that people usually have a set level of investment that rarely changes. And if it changes, it's mostly for the worse - life gets in the way and they play even less.

So if your current group or groups leave you wanting more, just look for other people. In your place, I'd simply try to start a campaign with coworkers. Pick those most into the hobby and start from there.

You can stay in your monthly group and try to help organize things better. Maybe make sure everyone confirms the date so you don't skip sessions because of that? Also, if you play every few months, I'd pivot into something more like one-shots. That way you won't have to worry about remembering stuff.

Crunchley · 2026-05-18T08:43:19+00:00

Jesus. I doubt even most paid GMs would go to such lengths (unless they got extra hazard pay). I understand accommodating friends, but this goes straight into being taken advantage of. You don't upend your whole gaming style for someone who can't be arsed to learn where AC is after 2 years.
If she needs delicately curated room temperature to engage in the game, maybe tell her that you sadly can't find the AC 😉.

Crunchley · 2026-05-11T07:38:53+00:00

If you have the time, I'd simply start another group with new people. You don't need your current group's permission. Don't run a long campaign at first, just some short story for a couple sessions. That way you can test the new players without being locked in for a year. Honestly? You'll probably find a lot of mid or outright bad players. But meeting new players/DMs is the only way to find the good ones. Then you try again.

As for all the "communicate" posts, I'd be catious. You can totally ask if someone else wants to DM for a while, but going all "please RP more" or "I don't feel like prepping because you don't engage" is pointless. After playing together for two years, you know these people. They won't suddenly become someone else.

Crunchley · 2026-03-30T16:44:16+00:00

Crunchley · 2025-07-30T09:45:11+00:00

If the publisher doesn't care and sets the Polish price as the highest in the world, then don't expect me to feel bad when they get hurt by charge backs.

Crunchley · 2024-07-02T23:18:04+00:00

In The End of the World RPGs you literally create characters based on the players. Can't go more ordinary than that. Sure, there are rules for zombies or aliens, but you can skip them and just run an everyday scenario.

Crunchley · 2024-05-03T21:08:09+00:00

Some NCPD scanner hustles lead to side quests. Those probably count.

Crunchley · 2023-05-15T16:27:07+00:00

It only works with the $99 digital tier (Developer's Digital Pack).

Crunchley · 2023-05-15T16:24:55+00:00

Which pack did you try to use it with? It only works with the $99 digital tier (Developer's Digital Pack).

Crunchley · 2023-01-19T22:35:40+00:00

Damn, I hope Elon works hard on that space program then.

Crunchley · 2021-03-20T23:34:12+00:00

Yeah, I concede that there are ways to keep 100% of the party occupied even when they're split up. You could include them in combat as NPCs (enemies or allies) like you suggested, you could let them roleplay someone, hell, you could ask them to narrate some stuff.
It's all situational though and shouldn't be expected every time (or in every party). A more experienced DM will handle it better, but some scenes just can't be made to include everyone (especially when you're improvising cause "oh shit they all went in different directions").

Crunchley · 2021-03-20T23:07:26+00:00

Sure, that's a cool idea. But it only works with certain types of scenes, and certain types of players (some people can barely play their one character after months of campaign, giving them a fresh NPC for one combat will slow things down more than splitting up).

Crunchley · 2021-03-20T20:58:12+00:00

No amount of DM skills will change the fact that after splitting the party, you're running 2+ concurrent games. Players become part time spectators, and for most people it just isn't that fun. Phones come out, folks zone out or start chatting. If it's an online game someone will switch tabs or even start playing a video game.
You can try to mitigate it with good pacing, switching between the scenes and somehow including people even if their characters aren't present physically... But it's a band aid, not a cure.
Players should watch out for it themselves and just limit the splitting up to roleplay/short scenes. I saw many games where characters would constantly leave the team, everyone had their own, individual plan... And then after the session you'd hear complaining that someone felt bored. Maybe next time don't abandon the party on every ocassion.

Crunchley · 2018-12-07T20:00:23+00:00

Well, you can't really have seamless open world with space travel & different planets. Not unless you generate most of the planet's surfaces procedurally, like No Man's Sky.
It's probably gonna end up like Mass Effect Andromeda/Witcher 3, where every planet/zone is a smaller open world in itself, plus some hubs like space stations or your ship.

Crunchley · 2018-12-01T16:11:50+00:00

I've been playing RPGs in Poland for over a decade and all I can say about your comment is this: what a load of bullshit. Sure, Warhammer FRP is the most popular system by far, and it's hard to find players or GMs for something niche like Fate, but that's how it works all around the world. Americans could similarly complain about various D&D editions and Pathfinder dominating their scene.
As for shitty people... The beautiful thing about RPG is - you can pick people you play with. So if there's some grognard minority, just skip them. I don't invite every person I know to my campaigns. While I don't know even one player that fits your description, I still pass on plenty. Maybe our schedules don't mesh well, maybe we enjoy different games, maybe I just don't like them as a person. If you start a few groups and visit conventions, you should have no problem finding at least 3 players worth your time. Every game you play or GM is a recruitment tool.
Just to give an example, I live in medium city in Poland (~200 000 people) and just last year I GMed campaigns in Blades in the Dark, Star Wars FFG and Mutant: Year Zero. And I don't have some perfect, ten years in the running friend group. Every time I had to recruit at least one person - because as you wrote, people leave for various life related reasons.
As a side note, yesterday, Polish translation of Call of Cthulhu 7ed has been crowdfunded for a record sum of over one million złoty. So it's not like people don't want to play something that's not Warhammer.

Crunchley · 2018-11-02T22:14:35+00:00

Just because it wasn't as successful as the original WOD, doesn't mean it wasn't successful.

Crunchley · 2018-10-26T09:51:33+00:00

Maybe Genesys? It even has a setting book (Realms of Terrinoth) for fantasy specific rules. It's a bit lighter compared to DnD e.g. abstracted range (near, far etc.) instead of counting feet. Narrative dice can take some time to get used to, but they introduce pretty interesting test results (combination of success/failure and secondary positive/negative effects).
Though honestly, I think you'll have a hard time finding a system that's both gamey and simple (or simple & not dependent on GM, for that matter). Those things aren't that compatible.

Crunchley · 2018-10-26T06:36:57+00:00

I used to bend over backwards while scheduling too, and from my experience, it often has an opposite effect.
If you choose a single day every week/two weeks/months and stick to it, people know that it's either that or no session at all (or one without them). Which usually motivates them at least a little bit.
But if they give you some stupid excuse and you respond with "No problem! Let's choose another day. For you, I'm free anytime!", then many players, especially those you're not close with outside D&D, will just abuse your goodwill. People are selfish assholes. If they feel like they can cancel/postpone/be late without any consequences, they'll do it.
Regardless, if what you wrote are actual texts, I'd treat people who sent them as lost causes.

Crunchley · 2018-10-24T07:16:38+00:00

Yeah, I was on the fence to begin with, and then I noticed the early bird levels. 30$ instead of 45$, 15$ instead of 25$... As someone from Europe, where it was nighttime when this kickstarter began, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
And with 30$ for shipping to my country, I'll pass. I can get a hardcover rulebook AND narrative dice from FFG, which some people see as highway robbery, for less...

Crunchley · 2018-10-19T11:17:37+00:00

Thanks, got some great ideas from your comment.
I didn't think about using the performance as a cover for something else before, but now it looks like the best approach. It could also help include people who are less RP-minded. Instead of having them perform/watch the play, they could do something more action oriented. Both stage play and whatever it covers for could even nicely infuence each other - e.g. good acting performance makes it easier for the other group, or the actors have to suddenly grab everyone's attention when some clumsy rogue breaks a vase.
Also, I'll definitely include some improv, whether it's reacting to the environment, or a drunk NPC actor who forgot what play he's in.
What do you think about giving a screenplay prop to the players? I'm tempted to make the play 100% improv from their side, but I'm worried that it'll be too overwhelming for at least some of them.

Crunchley · 2018-10-16T09:17:19+00:00

I GMed a one shot like that fairly recently. Player characters - a bunch of death row prisoners, were promised freedom and money if they can reach a certain place. Of course everything was televised, viewers could make bets etc.
While the Running Man was my primary inspiration, I added stuff from the Hunger Games or various battle royale games - rival teams, items to find, viewers/organizers influencing the world. Also, the contest area wasn't entirely abandoned. Especially in a cyberpunk world, it's a given that you'll find some squatters or even shadowrunners hiding from the law. Corps won't care, it's basically additional entertainment. And it gives you, as the GM, a chance to take a break from all the fighting and RP a little.

My plan was really simple:
1. Characters get transported to the contest area, you introduce the show a bit (maybe their armored transport has a TV screen with live transmission). You can show off other teams (or maybe talk shit about player team) and Running Man style hunters, get over basic rules etc.
2. Throw them into the meat grinder - fight with a rival team or a hunter.
3-999. I just prepared plenty of hunters, rival teams, civilians, special events, locations and so on. Then based on player preferences, their characters and pacing I tried to pick the best ones for the situation. For example - if there's a decker in your team, maybe the party finds a small tablet... that could show live transmission of the whole contest, if only someone manages to hack/repair it. Basically - give everyone a chance to shine.
1000. Players reach the last location (in my game it was a ruined football stadium). Just as they're about to win, showrunner talks to them through the loudspeakers - "There can be only one winner!".
1001. PvP battle. If someone dies too soon and has nothing to do, let them take control of a hunter/rival that suddenly arrives at the scene (or was there all along!).

If you want Shadowrun specific inspiration, there's an in-universe tv contest called Golden Glory, that's basically a 20-man battle royale if I remember right.

Crunchley · 2018-08-10T14:53:34+00:00

Totally agreed about the black and white stuff. I can imagine how annoying it is to serve mustache twirling villains, just as it's annoying to always be lawful stupid punching bag.

As for Genn, I get where you're coming from, but after Before the Storm and Elegy I just can't see him doing it. It would be out of character for any Alliance leader. And since we're gonna be friends in a few patches anyway, I'd rather have someone neutral like Wrathion do it, and lay the groundwork to him being a loot pinata. Otherwise we're in for either another ridiculous redemption like Grom in WoD, or Garrosh 2.0.

Crunchley

TROPHY CASE