#RPGaDay 13: What makes a successful campaign?

RPG a Day 2016 image

Each year we celebrate Autocratik’s #RPGaDay, where we spend a month celebrating RPGs, discussing what we love and what we love about them. Here are the responses of the TRF crew. Be sure to tweet, blog, or post your own with the #RPGaDay!

For August 13, what makes a successful campaign?
Aser – A successful campaign comes from a good story that works for the players and the characters they’ve created. The simple things are always simple: the simple things, hard. 😛
John D. – The right game system, a good hook, a solid start with a strong plan for adventures down the road yet ability to follow the path the players take, and a committed yet flexible group. For us shorter campaigns or story arcs work best, with the possibility of returning to some of our characters again.
Jonn P.  – Probably my work life bleeding in here, but running a successful campaign has quite a few similarities with managing a successful project. The initiation phase or session zero, can make or breaks the campaign. These days, I dedicate few minute to the discussion of the issue during session zero that I would have spent multiple sessions trying to resolve back when I made my first attempts at to GM.
Landan – Cooperation amongst players and GM.
Megan – Buy in from everyone. When players or the GM stop being invested it becomes hard for everyone to stay motivated and involved.
Mike G. – A cohesive group and GM who are willing to focus on challenges and fun rather than rules.
Patrick – When everyone is invested in the characters and the adventure. It may not always be sunshine and roses but there is genuine care about the campaign.
Phil – Willingness to endure – it is hard to meet week after week for a long campaign that lasts months. I guess it comes down to the GM who has to work around players being there or not, making dumb choices, building useless characters, etc. Tough job!

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