S55E2 - Learning from TTRPGs: Designing Choices

In writing and in tabletop gaming, character choices are essential to plot progression. In either case, whether as a game master or author, it's easy to fall into the pattern of what's known in gaming spaces as "railroading." You know what needs to happen to get to the next point. You know where they should go, so you don't give the characters any other choice. In games, that removes the fun of autonomy from the other players. In writing, it makes for boring stories and flat characters.

There's a lot to learn about choices, from the kinds of choices presented to the variety of answers available. Tabletop gaming is a great place to experience that, because any experienced player or GM will have stories of the unexpected answers that people can imagine if they're given a choice.

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