In tabletop role-playing games, the relationship between story and audience diverges sharply from traditional media. Unlike books, movies, or plays, where the protagonist and audience are distinct, RPGs blend these roles together. Players are both the driving force behind the story as protagonists and its recipients as the audience. This duality shapes the storytelling experience in unique ways, creating opportunities and challenges that GMs must navigate carefully to foster engagement and enjoyment.

Protagonist and Audience as One

In traditional linear storytelling, the audience often holds information that the protagonist does not. This dynamic can create tension and dramatic irony, as seen in howcatchem mysteries where the audience knows the culprit from the beginning, but the protagonist must uncover the truth. While effective in linear media, such techniques often fail in RPGs, where the players embody the protagonists.

In RPGs, players and their characters typically gain information simultaneously. This shared progression aligns the experiences of the player and their character, keeping both invested in the narrative. For example, a carefully designed mystery arc might reveal its secrets piece by piece, relying on player decisions and actions to uncover the truth. This approach preserves tension and ensures the audience’s engagement by making discovery an active, collaborative process rather than a passive observation.

Players as Audience for Each Other

In RPGs, players are not only their own audience but also the audience for each other’s characters. This interdependence means that well-crafted player characters should encourage attachment within the group. When characters are relatable and likable, they invite fellow players to care about their stories and invest emotionally in the group’s shared narrative.

This dynamic fosters a sense of collective enjoyment as players witness each other’s triumphs, struggles, and growth. A character with compelling goals or a relatable personality creates opportunities for meaningful interaction, enhancing the overall storytelling experience for everyone at the table.

Diverse Player Preferences

Every player approaches RPGs with different expectations and sources of enjoyment. One useful framework is the three-pole classification of player types: those who value dominance, those who enjoy social interaction, and those who thrive on problem-solving. Recognizing these differences helps GMs craft sessions that provide opportunities for all players to engage meaningfully.

For example, players who enjoy dominance may gravitate toward moments that allow them to take charge or showcase their strengths, while those who value social interaction often seek connections between characters and the world. Problem-solvers, in turn, relish puzzles, tactical challenges, and opportunities to devise clever solutions. A balanced session offers moments that appeal to all these types, ensuring that no player feels left out and that everyone finds ways to contribute to the narrative.

Bringing It Together

In RPGs, the audience and protagonists are one and the same, creating a storytelling medium where traditional techniques like those used in linear media must be adapted. The collaborative nature of the game, where players support and invest in each other’s characters, adds a unique layer to the experience. Recognizing diverse player preferences and designing stories that evolve dynamically for both player and character ensures a fulfilling and inclusive game for everyone involved.

These insights, inspired by James D’Amato’s The Ultimate RPG Gameplay Guide, highlight the distinct interplay of audience and storytelling in RPGs.