Hi, I wanted to gauge our communities opinion on private messaging during games (specifically between players). I think I sit on the side of ‘I’m not sure I like it’, but I’d be interested in best practices for those of you who do like to use it.
Hi, I wanted to gauge our communities opinion on private messaging during games (specifically between players).
Hi, I wanted to gauge our communities opinion on private messaging during games (specifically between players).
I feel as though any messaging regarding the game should be done at the open table space. 1:1 messaging should be reserved for private conversations about non-game related material, and probably best held off until breaks or pre/post game time
I feel as though any messaging regarding the game should be done at the open table space. 1:1 messaging should be reserved for private conversations about non-game related material, and probably best held off until breaks or pre/post game time
Are you talking online? Not sure I see the point of trying to restrict it. I mean, you are all there to play together and an attempt to enforce this rule is to take on an authority that I am not sure adds to that. Even in physical space, it gets a bit iffy. Best to have a discussion about it with the players and come to a consensus.
Are you talking online? Not sure I see the point of trying to restrict it. I mean, you are all there to play together and an attempt to enforce this rule is to take on an authority that I am not sure adds to that. Even in physical space, it gets a bit iffy. Best to have a discussion about it with the players and come to a consensus.
If two players want to have a sidebar chat while their characters aren’t in the spotlight, sure, why not? I’d rather they were paying attention to what was happening, but then I’d also rather they didn’t take up the group’s time with their plotting or strategizing and I think the former is the lesser of the two evils.
Basically, if it enhances their enjoyment of the game to do it and it’s not detracting from anyone else’s fun, go for it, but watch out for players who always go into private conversations when someone else is in the spotlight: they aren’t really participating in the game, they’re using everyone else’s funtime as a medium for their own private fun.
If two players want to have a sidebar chat while their characters aren’t in the spotlight, sure, why not? I’d rather they were paying attention to what was happening, but then I’d also rather they didn’t take up the group’s time with their plotting or strategizing and I think the former is the lesser of the two evils.
Basically, if it enhances their enjoyment of the game to do it and it’s not detracting from anyone else’s fun, go for it, but watch out for players who always go into private conversations when someone else is in the spotlight: they aren’t really participating in the game, they’re using everyone else’s funtime as a medium for their own private fun.
I guess it depends on the tone of your table. If you want players to be “in character” at all times while the game is happening then I would say no. If you are fine if it’s more casual then I wouldn’t sweat it.
I guess it depends on the tone of your table. If you want players to be “in character” at all times while the game is happening then I would say no. If you are fine if it’s more casual then I wouldn’t sweat it.
Thanks for your feedback gents. Jason Cox Yes, I was writing the question from an online perspective, but it could easily include players passing notes around during F2F games.
Thanks for your feedback gents. Jason Cox Yes, I was writing the question from an online perspective, but it could easily include players passing notes around during F2F games.
When I GM I find chat trafic distracting. But as a player it sometimes helps to ask other players questions to make sure you are understanding the fiction without interrupting what ever is happening now. I f yall are just chatting or goofing off then that is not productive, but the chat box can have utillity
When I GM I find chat trafic distracting. But as a player it sometimes helps to ask other players questions to make sure you are understanding the fiction without interrupting what ever is happening now. I f yall are just chatting or goofing off then that is not productive, but the chat box can have utillity
I don’t mind it at all as long as it’s not distracting from the the game.
With the whole internet right in front of them, if they’re distracted by the mechinations of the game between themselves, I’d say you’re doing great.
Its not my job to tell people how to have fun. I only ask that their fun doesn’t keep others from having fun as well.
I don’t mind it at all as long as it’s not distracting from the the game.
With the whole internet right in front of them, if they’re distracted by the mechinations of the game between themselves, I’d say you’re doing great.
Its not my job to tell people how to have fun. I only ask that their fun doesn’t keep others from having fun as well.
Daniel Fowler I think having a group chat for information sharing is a really good idea during online games, as it can limit interruptions. What I struggle with is if there are some players engaging in private chats to ‘plan’ something that other players aren’t privy to. I think it builds a climate of distrust during a game which is something I’m not particularly into. I prefer to have a ‘meta’ conversation that everyone could feed into.
Daniel Fowler I think having a group chat for information sharing is a really good idea during online games, as it can limit interruptions. What I struggle with is if there are some players engaging in private chats to ‘plan’ something that other players aren’t privy to. I think it builds a climate of distrust during a game which is something I’m not particularly into. I prefer to have a ‘meta’ conversation that everyone could feed into.
That may be more indicative of other problems at the ‘table’. I don’t think stopping private chat between two players will necessarily stop the problem that made them think it was okay to conspire against other players. (Unless of course your game is meant to be one of intrigue where there’s some PVP action.)
That may be more indicative of other problems at the ‘table’. I don’t think stopping private chat between two players will necessarily stop the problem that made them think it was okay to conspire against other players. (Unless of course your game is meant to be one of intrigue where there’s some PVP action.)
As long as the private chat is furthering the game and the fun for EVERYONE at the table, I have no problem with it. It’s when it becomes exclusionary or detrimental to the fun of the other players that I would put a stop to it.
As long as the private chat is furthering the game and the fun for EVERYONE at the table, I have no problem with it. It’s when it becomes exclusionary or detrimental to the fun of the other players that I would put a stop to it.
I’ve found that kibitzing or private chats completely derail online games. It’s less bad at a physical table, where there’s some social pressure not to look at another screen all the time.
I’ve found that kibitzing or private chats completely derail online games. It’s less bad at a physical table, where there’s some social pressure not to look at another screen all the time.
Honestly, I’ve never had the private chats derail a game. It’s usually the opposite, where it lets two players coordinate a plan without having to interrupt what the GM is doing with another player. Or, it enhances a relationship between two characters because you get to share a quiet RP moment with them that doesn’t have to take center stage. It’s the same at a table when you lean over to quietly talk IC to another player while the GM is handling something else with another player.
Don’t get me wrong. I know there are times when this type of thing can be detrimental to a game, but it’s not the private messaging that’s the problem. It’s usually something else that the private messaging is just a symptom of.
Honestly, I’ve never had the private chats derail a game. It’s usually the opposite, where it lets two players coordinate a plan without having to interrupt what the GM is doing with another player. Or, it enhances a relationship between two characters because you get to share a quiet RP moment with them that doesn’t have to take center stage. It’s the same at a table when you lean over to quietly talk IC to another player while the GM is handling something else with another player.
Don’t get me wrong. I know there are times when this type of thing can be detrimental to a game, but it’s not the private messaging that’s the problem. It’s usually something else that the private messaging is just a symptom of.