My school started an RPG club around January this year, and it has been very fun. We learned Pathfinder, and rules have been learned, adventures have been taken, etc. As me and my friends are all new to tabletop rpgs we have been ignoring the complicated rules. Everyone is having a great time playing together, even though rules and missions can be confusing.
However, the only game that we play is Pathfinder. The instructor is perfectly fine with playing other games. After discovering Paranoia, playing it and loving it, I have decided to attempt to introduce it to the group. (I play with my friends outside and I usually GM)
Some problems include:
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I am the one of only 2 in the group able to gm Paranoia, and the other person does not want to.
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Everyone else is still getting used to tabletop rpgs, and team ones at that.
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I don’t have easily accessible materials for rules and such, and the club has none.
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I only really know 3 members of the club.
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I really, really would prefer not to talk to the teacher who runs the club because it is awkward.
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I am in the middle of a campaign as a player for another gm.
How exactly would I introduce the game in a way that would interest players?
Best Answer
Don't do this, it's a trap. Each one of your problems suggests that you play a simpler and more pro-social game with free, simple, easily distributed rules.
You might think that because knowing the rules is treason in Paranoia, "As me and my friends are all new to tabletop RPGs we have been ignoring the complicated rules. " is an asset here. Unfortunately, that's rather the opposite. In my experience, Paranoia is best communicated through tone and tradition, inculcating the appropriate levels of treason and back-stabbery. I have also found that the primary skill for enjoying a game of Paranoia is a level of social acumen to know how to twist words and back-stab appropriately.
For a group of new, junior highschool students seeking rules-light games, I'd recommend browsing our game-recommendation questions to see what spark your interest.