I am in the process of playtesting my RPG system, and I want to put together a scenario for convention play. But almost all my experience as a GM is with long, customized campaigns that are highly responsive to player and character contributions. So a highly constrained, pre-planned scenario with pregenerated characters is a totally new thing for me.
I have a few constraints I think are pretty self-evident and I am already working with these:
- Characters must be pregenerated with some customization optional
- The scenario must be of limited scope – I am currently working with a 4-scene budget:
- 1 introductory scene where the players get to meet the other characters
- 3 "encounter" scenes with puzzles or fights
- The objective must be absolutely clear at all times – there's no time for indecision
Beyond those constraints, what else is there?
Is there a good formula for the construction of convention games?
What are the primary features of convention or demo games?
What must a convention scenario absolutely avoid?
Best Answer
Conventions are tricky beasts. Ask anyone who has demonstrated a system (new or old) or run a tournament they will tell you to live by the saying "your best laid plans will never survive engagement with the enemy".
The best rule-of-thumb I use for conventions is KISS (Keep It Simple Sammy).
Remember in any presentation what your are trying to do. You have a goal for being at the convention with your stuff. Never lose sight of that. It sounds obvious but the distractions of the convention will try their best to re-direct your focus away from that. Gamers love rabbit trails and will take you down one in a heart beat without even a thank you.
Your list of constraint items is right on the money. You are setting up a very limited, controlled scenario with strictly defined characters and a tight focus on the scenario objective. Do not allow variation, AT ALL, because you are the one who has to adapt to any changes on the fly and you (and your game) will be the one who suffers if there is confusion.
There will be changes and plenty of confusion.
Here are the 'rules' (guidelines) to setting up your demonstration for your new RPG system.