[Idea] Faster PbP - Narrowing the Choices

[admin]

We all know that PbP is as fast as its slowest poster...
But I just realized that there is a way to improve the speed of Play. At some point in a PbP discussion, people will be faced with a choice; In a table top game, the players haggle and argue for a few minutes, until the DM tells them to decide (if needs be). In a PbP, this 5 minute haggling can actually be days and days long!

There are ways that I see to shorten the 'decision' time in a PbP.
a) Elect a leader: This is probably not the best of ideas, as people prefer to be their own leader.
b) In SOME situations, offer options to the group: Now this might be more interesting... The DM could give a few options (2-4 choices) and the players could simply give their thoughs about it and vote for one of those options. i *think* this could help make decision time take a little faster: Sure this is not what you would do in a Table Top game, but a PbP is not exactly that, is it?

What do you think? (as a player, as a DM?)
admin

[Duniagdra]

There's times when multiple choice just does not work and with some gamers, picking a leader is a long process of getting to know fellow players.

Using a chat service might be best as long as a group is accepting of a minimum number of players as a majority vote and able to set a date and time. It's been a consideration of mine for the four PbP games I run.

[patransom]

I have used option b many times, although I usually include among the choices "Do something else entirely." I find it does help to give the players concrete choices. Otherwise, even when the choices are obvious, you have players waiting around to see if someone else has a creative idea or something...

[admin]

I have used option b many times, although I usually include among the choices "Do something else entirely." I find it does help to give the players concrete choices. Otherwise, even when the choices are obvious, you have players waiting around to see if someone else has a creative idea or something...

Yep!! The dynamic of a PbP is quite different from the Table Top role playing

[Hartygan]

I quite like the idea. It could be put up as a poll and the players have 24 hours to vote, then the most votes wins and the game moves on.

[Duniagdra]

I quite like the idea. It could be put up as a poll and the players have 24 hours to vote, then the most votes wins and the game moves on.

The problem with 24 hours is that you might only get a couple players who see it. A week is likely the best option here, but with polls, you have to start a new thread for each poll and that can get messy.

I think the multiple choice option could work best:

1. You have Seven Days to choose:
2. Search for the missing cat
3. Investigate the old lady's ruffled wigs
4. Assist the locals in rebuilding the blown up out house

[larenee]

I can't argue with the idea of a 'choose your own adventure' style multiple choice. It is so hard to get six players to quickly agree on a plan when you go a day between posts.