The Art of Role-Playing: Making Decisions in Character

Does the role-playing gamer make decisions strictly in character? The answer is a nuanced 'Yes and No.' Playing a game, whether it is a tabletop role-playing game (RPG) or a video game, involves rules that must be understood and followed. These rules impact your decision-making, but there is so much more to it. Gamers must also place themselves in their character’s shoes and make decisions based on their perspective. In this article, we will explore the art of making decisions in character, the role of the game master, and the differences between metagaming and playing in character.

Understanding the Rules

To play the game, you need to know the rules, even if it is just a little bit at a time as you go. Once you learn the basics, those rules begin to influence your decision-making. Every challenge a game master (GM) throws at you might seem arbitrary and adaptive. However, character success and survival are more about chaos theory and emotional intelligence, meaning making accurate guesses about the behavior of your GM, other party members, and the author of your current adventure.

Ultimately, the goal of role-playing games is not to challenge yourself as an armchair tactician. There are better types of games for that purpose. Instead, the fun lies in the unpredictable and emotional dynamics between characters and the surroundings. The reward for a successful character isn’t based on their level or how many weapons they have, but rather in the quirky, memorable stories and characters that emerge from the adventure.

Character Success and Survival

What truly matters in a role-playing game is the fusion of chance and emotional intelligence. The success of a character does not solely depend on tactical prowess but rather on how well they navigate the complex social and emotional landscape of their environment. People playing RPGs often remember not the character level or the magical items, but the engaging and unique stories that come out of the characters and situations.

Characters you play over time will eventually become an extension of yourself, “re-skinned.” No one really plays an elf; they play themselves if they were born as an elf. This is both a comfort and a necessity. You don't need to be a master of art or philosophy to make decisions in character; you just need to think through what your character would do if they were in a similar situation. This means thinking through different “what ifs” and making choices that would make sense for your character.

Metagaming: A No-No

There is a line where you cross from playing in character to metagaming, which is when modern human knowledge is used to make decisions that a character in the game world should not know. For example, a player who is a gun enthusiast in real life might gather up ingredients to make gunpowder for their character in a medieval fantasy setting. This is metagaming and is not allowed in a true role-playing scenario.

Another example is when a vampire encounters a 1st level party of heroes, and a player recognizes it as a vampire and protests that a 1st level party shouldn’t be encountering one. This is also metagaming. The character should react as they would; if it were a vampire, they might hide or fear it, rather than immediately recognizing it.

Role-playing is about immersion and living the character’s experience. Using knowledge from the real world to make in-game decisions is a violation of this spirit and can break the game's immersion. It's about maintaining the integrity of the character and their world.

Conclusion

Role-playing is an art that blends rigorous adherence to rules with creative interpretation and emotional intelligence. It is not about the character level or the weapons they possess but about the engaging and memorable stories and characters that arise from the adventures. Making decisions in character requires meeting the challenges with wisdom and insight. Metagaming, on the other hand, is a disruption that breaks the illusion and the fun of the game. As you play, remember to keep your decisions grounded in the character's perspective and the world they inhabit.