How do you handle session zero? I find it best to address it weeks in advance to give players time to write their backstories and read the handouts.
>>97851117
Likely bait, but I have a session 0 coming up tomorrow. Really it's a session zero part 2 as last week we pinned down some game and setting stuff.Normally, I do it that way, one week we talk about what the upcoming game will be like. The second week we show up to make characters together and tie in back stories and setting details.
>>97851180Tying backstories into the setting is god tier for RPGs.
>>97851117I don't tell the players in advance. They don't know what game they are playing. They don't even know there is a game or that they are my players. The first thing they know is when my henchmen tell them their backstory and black bag them for the trip to the game site (my mum's basement)
We get together, we choose the system between the options presented, if we haven't already, then we decide what kind of game we want to have, and make PCs that would be fun/effective.
>>97852559>system?>always FATAL
>>97851117>Tell players week in advance when session 0 is happening and to show up with character ideas>Session 0 happens>"I'm not good at coming up with character ideas on the spot like this. Can we just start playing and I'll have a character fleshed out next week?"It sounds like I'm joking. I am not.In before "get new players", these ARE the new players.
>>97851117>How do you handle session zero?"Okay we're playing this, so its time to make characters. The world is xyz and you probably know this guy if that helps give you ideas"The rest usually flows. I guess for a new group its a bit more in-depth but thats a different question
>>97852653Get old players.
We hit the sauna, drink beer and talk about the game, toss around ideas for our characters and their connections and shared goals and so on, ask the GM for clarifications if needed, give him feedback if there's something about his campaign idea or setting outline that either sounds particularly cool or sounds like it might not work that great, and so on.
>>97851117We just start playing the game. Session 0 is a noob trap.
>>97852793Basically this.
I don't have a session zeros. I have a conversation.During that conversation we discuss the upcoming game, expectations, and hash out schedule, as well as if they are new or we are playing a new system that everyone has actually read the rules and prepared a character/characters that appropriately fit the game. This conversation eliminates all need for a session zero, this allows us to maximize our limited time towards actually playing the game rather than preparing to play the game. Which is important when it's already hard enough getting schedules to line up.
>>97852828What do you feel to differentiate that discussion from a session 0?
>>97852838Because it literally isn't a session zero. It's a 3 to 5 minute conversation that is mostly about figuring out schedules. >hey can you play on (so and so) when [anon] and [bernd] both have a day off?>Next game is (game system), you know (game system) right?>You do, good. >Game is (genera/tone) so bring a character that fits (genera/tone)>You got one, cool.>see you then>bring snacks>byeThat's not a session zero.
>>97852828>>97852855Hate to say it, but that’s basically the entire objective and routine if a session zero, to quickly clarify all the important details and get everyone on board with what they need to prepare before the first official game day to minimize wasting time with set up. You’re just being pointlessly pedantic about the name.
>>97852909It's not a session in any way shape or form so is retarded to call arranging a game night as session zero. So you also call matching schedules to play yugio or boardgames "game zero"?No, because that would be fucking retarded.
>>97852917You don’t actually know what the concept of “session zero” is, do you?
