Beginning the game- Journey Inc
Team Building
Let’s talk about how to set the game up! A lot of this is rather simple, and if you’ve played RPGs before, you should be conversant with most of it, but I’ll go over everything we feel you need to include to play the game. (By you, in this conversation, we are referring to both the CCM and the Players.)
The very first conversation you need to have is what kind of game you want to play. Do you want a game where you all just sit around answering phones? Do you want a game about inter office drama? Would you prefer to make it more of an adventure game, exploring the depths of the call center, seeking to slay the dreaded CEO? Or do you just wanna play the Office, with fireballs? Talk it out and figure out what kind of mix you want.
This should also be the point where you determine what the ENDING of the game should be. How many sessions will you play the game, is there something that will serve as an end point? Maybe the first time a character dies, game ends. Maybe when you answer 20 calls, the game is over. Perhaps there is some kind of end goal that once solved, will result in concluding the game. Maybe this is just a one shot!
Most games SHOULD have an ending. A good ending brings a sense of accomplishment. Yay, you finished the game! Now you can make use of all the character ideas you thought of while playing to start a new game! Turn your characters into NPCs for the next session!
Next, address safety tools. I personally like to use X cards, or any of a number of check lists to make sure people are comfortable with everything at the table. There are a lot of people who have gone into this a lot better then I can, a quick web search for “RPG safety tools” should help you out.
Keep in mind, even for groups who have been together a long time, it’s worth having a discussion about what you’re comfortable with.
Next, build your characters! Follow the “Making a Representative” guide, discuss with each other, and generally just work together to make your Reps.
The final step is to answer some of the Team Building questions below. It’s a good idea to answer at least one of these for each other player in the game. (Yes, you can make your own questions.)
You were romantically involved with another Rep. Which one, and why did you break up?
Who was your mentor when you first joined, and what advice did they give?
One of these people betrayed you with a kiss. Why did you forgive them?
Who helped you with the hardest call of your career, and what was it about?
Who is your forever smoke buddy? What secret did they let slip?
Who reminds you of home? Why?
Who knows a deep dark secret about you? How did they find out?
Who has seen you at your worst? How did they help you?
Who here knows your weakness, and how did they figure it out?
You came here with one of these people. Why was this a bad thing?
Who was your mentor in training? Why don’t you trust their advice anymore?
Who cooked fish in the microwave and became your mortal enemy?