Three Types of Campaign
Thinking about how to get a new campaign going, I found myself putting each idea into one of three categories.
Plot Lite
The GM can rotate, and each player brings a character for each session that can be completely new, or one they used before if they like. There is no overall plot that is planned in advance, but the story arises out of what events are brought up by the GMs, and from the reactions of the characters. Player characters can frequently be killed, and new ones take over. The exact balance of characters in a given session may drive the story in unexpected directions.
Plot Heavy
The GM writes their story and allows the players to play through it. The GM should give hints about what the story will be like, and what kind of characters, and what kind of group of characters, would be appropriate. Player characters may die, and new players may join, but any new characters will need to fit into the story rather than being made in a vacuum and then having the story accommodate them.
Player Led
The players form a group and determine what that group wishes to achieve. The GM plans sessions based on the current objectives, and places plot hooks based on what the players have said they want to cover in the campaign. Player characters are unlikely to die, since the story is about the group first, but if a player volunteers their character to make a sacrifice then they may die. The group can evolve over time, especially if players or characters change, but the story remains focused on the group and what they are currently trying to achieve.
Plot Lite
The GM can rotate, and each player brings a character for each session that can be completely new, or one they used before if they like. There is no overall plot that is planned in advance, but the story arises out of what events are brought up by the GMs, and from the reactions of the characters. Player characters can frequently be killed, and new ones take over. The exact balance of characters in a given session may drive the story in unexpected directions.
Plot Heavy
The GM writes their story and allows the players to play through it. The GM should give hints about what the story will be like, and what kind of characters, and what kind of group of characters, would be appropriate. Player characters may die, and new players may join, but any new characters will need to fit into the story rather than being made in a vacuum and then having the story accommodate them.
Player Led
The players form a group and determine what that group wishes to achieve. The GM plans sessions based on the current objectives, and places plot hooks based on what the players have said they want to cover in the campaign. Player characters are unlikely to die, since the story is about the group first, but if a player volunteers their character to make a sacrifice then they may die. The group can evolve over time, especially if players or characters change, but the story remains focused on the group and what they are currently trying to achieve.
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