Experience Archives - Page 2 of 6 - Dungeons and Dragons at Work

Following on from my last experience running a multiplayer game I’ve been exploring emergent play. In parallel to this I have developed a mini event for six participants that I hope will create an emergent narrative experience for all involved. I’ve included mechanics to ensure that no two games are alike and every decision can lead to unexpected outcomes. Welcome to Echoes of Xenos!!

While this is a campaign of sorts with players playing multiple games, it is going to take place over the afternoon/evening of a single Saturday. Keeping it short and sweet will foster maximum engagement. Resulting, I hope, in lots of player interaction with the narrative and each other.

Setting the Stage: Embrace the Unknown

I’ve always had a soft spot for the INQ28 movement. This is based loosely on an old Games Workshop game that was more roleplaying game than wargame. It pits bands of Inquisitors, secret agents of the Imperium, against one another. Different ideologies, agendas and objectives make for a murky espionage fueled setting that truly fosters creativity in scenarios, art and model making. As such I’ve set this event squarely within this milieu.

The campaign is based in the western reaches of the Ultima Segmentum, specifically in the enigmatic Lupin System. As commanders of various factions, players are on a mission to retrieve the lost research of the radical Inquisitor Tiberius Glaze. While they all have the same core objective, secret objectives, emergent narrative and sworn enemies will make this anything but straight forward.

Factions in Pursuit

As mentioned, multiple factions are on the hunt for Glaze’s elusive research. Each with its unique motivations and secret agendas:

Puritan Inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus: Determined to destroy the heretical research.
Rogue Trader: Sees profit in capturing and selling the research.
Tech Priest of the Adeptus Mechanicus: Aims to harness the research for their own mysterious purposes.
Two Radical Inquisitors of the Ordo Xenos: Both seek glory through the continuation of Glaze’s work. However, the glory can only go to one!
Rogue Inquisitor of the Ordo Malleus: Believes the research is linked to a prophecy foretelling the downfall of the Imperium.

As you can see, there is already a lot of scope for conflict. But for emergent play to flower we need additional complications.

The Mechanics: Fueling Emergent Narrative

This campaign is structured to encourage emergent play, where the unfolding story and strategic interactions create a unique and engaging experience for every participant. As such the details of each battle will be randomly determined. Firstly, there will be three rounds of 1v1 battles . At the start of each round, factions will randomly draw opponents and battle locations. Each location has a shared primary objective and a set of secret objectives. After objectives are revealed, faction leaders select their roster for the engagement. The final round will involve all the players competing against one another in a large multiplayer scenario.

Like the last game I ran we’ll be using the Space Weirdos ruleset. This is simple enough for players to pick up the concepts easily. However, it has enough complexity to allow for strategic play. A great balance. It also plays fast. Letting us complete multiple games over the course of the event.

Roster Management

Each faction begins with a 125-point Space Weirdos list, but for each scenario, players can only field three agents from their roster. This limitation means roster management is crucial, as losing agents can significantly impact your strategy and the outcome of future battles. It also means that agents need to be carefully chosen for each game, as each have different advantages. I’m interested to see how this plays out. Will players be more cautious in their tactics? When will they commit their more valuable agents?

Locations and Objectives:

To keep things uncertain battles will be fought over 4 different locations. Each is rich with potential for emergent play, featuring primary objectives and a variety of special secret objectives specific to each. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect:

Abandoned Orbital Station: Retrieve data from the lone servitor.
Research Station on the Moon: Get a copy of the research papers.
Ag Settlement: Identify and interrogate Glaze’s old companions for the location of the genetics research base.
Space Port Relay Station: Hack the last communication from the Research Station.

Winning a game at each location gives the victorious player a secret clue that details some of the back story and the villainy that Inquisitor Glaze was up to.

Combining roster management, narrative clues, secret objectives and a range of game boards will keep the players on their toes. Decisions will have to be made with imperfect information. Stories will emerge. I cant wait to see how the game evolves.

Points and Clues

An emergent narrative may not be enough for some players so I have introduced a competitive element in the Campaign Points (CP) which are awarded based on performance

Win Primary Objective: 2 CP
Win Secret Objective: 1 CP
Beat sworn enemy in battle: 1 CP

The warband with the most CP will start the final scenario with a crucial advantage – the research genetic material. A tally of points on a whiteboard near game control will keep everyone on their toes. Announcing changes in the leaderboard at the end of every round should enhance the competitive element.

It’s my hope that this element spurs players to strive for a win and push their secret objectives for each round to get that valuable additional CP.

The Grand Finale

The final showdown takes place at a secret location (no spoilers), the fifth moon of Lupin III. Here, factions must secure the genetic material – the ultimate prize. With dangerous abominations lurking, this climactic battle will push the players strategic skills to the limit and create unforgettable moments of emergent play. Will they work together to get run the gauntlet or fall into mad competitive scrambling to get the prize. Only time will tell.

Preparation

In an effort to make the game as immersive as possible I’ve prepared individual player briefings, faction rosters, thematic clues and ideological clashes. Additionally, I’ll be using my collection of miniatures and terrain to its fullest. I’m hoping that this will give the players enough to really lean into the setting and make the most of the game. This has take a lot of work, but I’m hoping it’s worth it.

Once we’ve played I’ll write about the experience and my learnings from it. Will emergent narrative occur? I’ll also see whether this format may be utilized in a different form to teach/enhance leadership skills.

Wish me luck!!

Although not well known, Megagames stand as the ultimate immersive experience, blending elements of role-playing, board games, and live-action simulations. These large-scale games, often involving dozens to hundreds of players, create complex and dynamic environments. This structure and emergent play style really puts players through their paces. Notably, I believe that Megagames could be an exceptional in fostering leadership skills. This article delves into what Megagames are, provides specific examples, and explores how they might be used to enhance leadership skill through experiential learning.

What Are Megagames?

Megagames are large-scale games that combine elements of strategy, role-playing, and simulation, often played out over an entire day. They typically involve multiple teams, each with distinct roles and objectives, interacting within a shared narrative framework. The complexity and scale of these games demand coordination, strategic thinking, and adaptive problem-solving from players.

The design of Megagames allows for rich, emergent gameplay, where the actions of individual players and teams can significantly influence the overall outcome. This dynamic environment mirrors real-world scenarios, making Megagames not only entertaining but also educational.

Examples of Megagames

While I have explained what a Megagame is, it really takes some examples to showcase their scale and complexity. Here are some better known examples.

1. Watch the Skies

One of the most well-known Megagames, “Watch the Skies,” involves teams representing nations and alien factions navigating a world where extraterrestrial contact has just been made. Each team must manage resources, conduct diplomacy, and respond to various crises, all while dealing with the unknown intentions of the aliens.

“Watch the Skies” has been run by numerous organizations across the UK, USA and Australia and there are some great videos exploring the players experiences.

For more information, you can visit the Stone Paper Scissors website here.

A small part of a Watch the Skies Megagame in progress

2. Den of Wolves

“Den of Wolves” places players in the roles of the crew and passengers of a fleet of spaceships escaping a dying star system. Players must manage limited resources, make critical decisions about survival, and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. Leadership roles within the fleet are crucial for the game’s progression.

Further details are available from the South West Megagames. Interestingly they also run games for businesses and other organizations, already proving the concept that games of these sort can build leadership skill and ability.

3. Urban Nightmare: State of Chaos

Written by Megagame stalwart Jim Wallman, “Urban Nightmare: State of Chaos,” throws players into a zombie apocalypse affecting an entire state. Teams represent various governmental and non-governmental organizations working to manage the outbreak, maintain public order, and ensure survival. The game emphasizes crisis management and inter-agency cooperation. A great game to play if a business is experiencing low communication or significant silo-ing between departments.

You can explore more about this game here. A great review can be found on the BeckyBecky blog.

Megagames and Leadership Development

The immersive and multifaceted nature of Megagames makes them an excellent platform for developing leadership skills. surprisingly, they are already being used in this capacity. Both Stone Paper Scissors and SW Megagames are hosting games in the corporate and government spheres.

Here’s a few reasons why these games are so effective:

1. Strategic Thinking and Planning

Megagames require players to think strategically and plan ahead. In “Watch the Skies,” for example, national leaders devise long-term strategies while preparing to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, mirroring the need for strategic foresight in leadership roles.

2. Decision-Making Under Pressure

Megagames often place players in high-pressure situations where quick, decisive action is necessary. “Den of Wolves” challenges players to make critical decisions about resource allocation and crisis response, honing their ability to make sound decisions under stress.

3. Collaboration and Teamwork

Success in Megagames relies heavily on effective teamwork and collaboration. Players must communicate and coordinate with their teammates and other groups to achieve their objectives. This aspect is particularly evident in “Urban Nightmare: State of Chaos,” where various agencies must work together to manage the zombie outbreak.

4. Conflict Resolution

Megagames simulate environments where conflicts of interest are common, requiring players to negotiate and resolve disputes. These skills are directly transferable to leadership scenarios where conflict resolution is a daily necessity.

5. Adaptability and Flexibility

The dynamic nature of Megagames demands that players be adaptable and flexible. Unexpected events and actions by other players can drastically alter the game landscape, requiring leaders to pivot and adjust their strategies. This mirrors real-world leadership scenarios where adaptability is key to navigating uncertainty.

Final Thoughts

Megagames offer a unique and powerful means of developing leadership skills through their complex, interactive, and immersive gameplay. By simulating real-world scenarios and challenges, they provide players with opportunities to enhance strategic thinking, decision-making, teamwork, conflict resolution, and adaptability. As these games continue to grow in popularity, their potential as tools for leadership development becomes increasingly apparent.

As such, I’ve been interested in running one of these behemoths for a long time. I’m currently writing a smaller version for 12 players and I’ll report back once I’ve actually run it. As a side note, if you’re in Perth, Australia and would like to play in a Megagame drop me a line. A game this size will need plenty of players!

Tag: Experience

Echoes of Xenos: An Event Focused on Emergent Play