VtES Back Story
Jeff Poole
years. We have a pretty solid group of players out here and I know
that I am one of the few players who got into the game due to the back
story. I started role playing Vampire: the Masquerade and a few years
later got into the card game. I feel like this connection to the
storyline of the game is what really hooked me to the game (as well as
the game itself). It also got me wondering if our group in LA is
representative of the VtES community or if we have more or less role
players among us than other VtES groups.
How are the demographics among your groups (relating to players who
know the back story of the World of Darkness)?
The reason this I bring this up is new players. I feel like if new
players get into the game not knowing what the difference between the
Camarilla and the Sabbat , the Brujah and the True Brujah, the
Harbingers of Skulls and the Giovanni or the Ahrimane and the Gangrel
then they miss out on an important aspect of the game, one that can
seriously help retain new players.
I'm thinking about writing up a 1-2 page brief overview of the World
of Darkness that could be included in like a starter kit or starter
deck to get players to know the basics of the WoD and get an
attachment to the role playing back story of the card game. In other
card games such as WoW, MtG, Lof5R, etc. you see this back story as a
big pull for new players.
So anyways, thought I would throw the idea out there and see how many
players actually followed the back story of VtES.
Jeff Poole
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Peter D Bakija
> How are the demographics among your groups (relating to players who
> know the back story of the World of Darkness)?
Most people in my group are at least familiar with the OWoD (being a
bunch of grown up gamers, it is kind of impossible not to, really),
and at least a couple of the people I regularly play VTES with have
been involved with OWD RPGs (I don't know anyone who is particularly
involved with NWoD). That being said, I don't think most people I play
VTES with are particularly invested in the background or connection to
the RPG.
When I started playing Jyhad when it came out, I only had passing
familiarity with the WoD, and over the years, picked up various second
hand rulebooks just to flesh out my understanding of what things were
in VTES, but I've never actually played any WoD RPGs, and really am
only interested in the WoD RPG in so much as it pertains to VTES and
helps the cards make more sense (i.e. have some understanding of the
backstory behind some of the clans or organizations, say, makes some
of the cards make more sense). I think that most of the people I play
VTES with are more or less in the same boat.
-Peter
Salem
> So, I've been playing VtES out here in Los Angeles, CA for about 9-10
> years. We have a pretty solid group of players out here and I know
> that I am one of the few players who got into the game due to the back
> story. I started role playing Vampire: the Masquerade and a few years
> later got into the card game. I feel like this connection to the
> storyline of the game is what really hooked me to the game (as well as
> the game itself). It also got me wondering if our group in LA is
> representative of the VtES community or if we have more or less role
> players among us than other VtES groups.
>
> How are the demographics among your groups (relating to players who
> know the back story of the World of Darkness)?
My playgroup, in it's current form, is mostly roleplayers. They used to
play oWOD, and now also play nWOD.
I myself am in your boat. I played VTM for a few years before jyhad came
out. Magic got released, and i thought the idea sounded cool and i'd
maybe buy some cards. but then a friend mentioned that there was a card
game based on VTM on it's way, so i didn't buy any magic cards, and
instead waited for jyhad. I'm glad i did.
I haven't roleplayed at all in the last 10 years though.
--
salem
(replace 'hotmail' with 'gmail' to email)
Teeka
> So, I've been playing VtES out here in Los Angeles, CA for about 9-10
> years. We have a pretty solid group of players out here and I know
> that I am one of the few players who got into the game due to the back
> story. I started role playing Vampire: the Masquerade and a few years
> later got into the card game. I feel like this connection to the
> storyline of the game is what really hooked me to the game (as well as
> the game itself). It also got me wondering if our group in LA is
> representative of the VtES community or if we have more or less role
> players among us than other VtES groups.
>
> How are the demographics among your groups (relating to players who
> know the back story of the World of Darkness)?
>
None of the people I play with do, actually. All are people who got
into VtES because they like games, and through some severe pressure
from yours truly :-)
Practically all were already playing MTG, and just wanted to check
this 'other CCG' out. Since then, we also started playing Harry Potter
CCG, Anachronism and, yes, Pokemon.
Most have read WoD-style books (i.e. Anne Rice) though.
I personally got interested in the WoD backstory through VtES (instead
of the other way around).
I only read stuff on websites and forums though, I don't own any
sourcebooks or novels and I'm not into playing RPGs at all.
However, the stuff I have read/found out over the years, I enjoyed
reading. I really liked the Bloodlines pc game as well, for example
for the way the clans, disciplines and such were portrayed.
> The reason this I bring this up is new players. I feel like if new
> players get into the game not knowing what the difference between the
> Camarilla and the Sabbat , the Brujah and the True Brujah, the
> Harbingers of Skulls and the Giovanni or the Ahrimane and the Gangrel
> then they miss out on an important aspect of the game, one that can
> seriously help retain new players.
>
I don't know if that'll work for that many people... maybe it will
maybe it won't.
I for one like knowing backstory-stuff and feel like it adds a lot to
the overall experience, but most people I play with like the ccg just
for the ccg.
> I'm thinking about writing up a 1-2 page brief overview of the World
> of Darkness that could be included in like a starter kit or starter
> deck to get players to know the basics of the WoD and get an
> attachment to the role playing back story of the card game. In other
> card games such as WoW, MtG, Lof5R, etc. you see this back story as a
> big pull for new players.
>
I think that's a really cool idea. Should be included in each rulebook
IMO, not just in starter kits.
(And perhaps on the W-W/Vtes site as well? Like, a brief backstory/
explanation for each vampire/card? Would be a lot of work, but awesome
for folks like me.)
I say, go for it!
> So anyways, thought I would throw the idea out there and see how many
> players actually followed the back story of VtES.
>
While we're on the subject, I gotta say I really enjoy it when people
on this forum bring up RPG material to discuss upcoming or potential
card texts. And also when cards in new sets get a bit of backstory
explained here. So Jeff, Seba and the like, don't hold back :-)
The Lasombra
>While we're on the subject, I gotta say I really enjoy it when people
>on this forum bring up RPG material to discuss upcoming or potential
>card texts. And also when cards in new sets get a bit of backstory
>explained here
You will get a kick out of Charlotte by Night then.
Specifically the Know Your Kindred articles.
http://charlottebynight.com/?cat=3
Teeka
Kewl! Thanks!