Home » People & Blogs » The Pros and Cons of Storytelling - Railroads, Sandboxes, and Waterslides! C&C ep#05

The Pros and Cons of Storytelling - Railroads, Sandboxes, and Waterslides! C&C ep#05

Written By Caffeine & Cantrips on Tuesday, Mar 07, 2023 | 08:51 PM

 
We all understand the importance of story framework in creating a compelling Dungeons & Dragons game. That's why in this video, we'll be discussing the pros and cons of three different styles of storytelling: railroads, sandboxes, and waterslides. To make this topic more understandable, I've magically teleported Sean and Byron back. We'll have them explore the advantages and disadvantages of each storytelling style. By doing so, you'll be able to decide which style works best for your game and your players. We'll begin by discussing the railroad style, where the game follows a linear path with predetermined story points. We'll explore the benefits of this style, such as ease of planning and controlling the pacing of the game, as well as the drawbacks, such as lack of player agency and potential for boredom. Next, we'll delve into the sandbox style, where the game is more open-ended, and the players have more freedom to explore the world and make choices. We'll discuss the advantages of this style, such as greater player agency and creativity, as well as the challenges, such as difficulty in planning and pacing the game. Finally, we'll examine the waterslide style, which combines elements of both railroading and sandboxing. We'll discuss the benefits of this style, such as allowing for a structured experience while still giving players some degree of agency and creativity. By the end of this video, you'll have a better understanding of the three storytelling styles and which one might work best for your game and players. So, join us as we explore the pros and cons of railroading, sandboxes, and waterslides. Or Else. Come join our growing Discord community! https://discord.gg/UsUvPFEmgJ Check out our Patreon! http://patreon.com/user?u=88865841 No time to watch? We're available on all the major podcast platforms! 00:00 - Introduction. *Railroad Topics* 05:12 - Good for new DMs. 12:21 - Taking control of the game - It’s your job. Positive edition. *Sandbox Topics* 19:56 - Best used to supplement a campaign. 33:22 - See the world, they said, I’d rather be sailing. *Waterslide Topics* 56:50 - Use narrative structures/devices. 01:02:38 - I will have my cake, and eat it too!