Im starting a podcast, 3 episodes in, of my group playing d&d. We are doing hoard of the dragon queen to get us started and used to each other as a group before we head into my own personal campaign. But it seems like there are tons of d&d podcasts out there. While I think the way my group plays/solves things is unique, what are some things you guys would want to hear from a podcast?
I personally like the ones that get really into the story, where the players stay in character 90% of the time. If there is more than 10% out of character chatter I lose interest. Too much arguing over rules, too much inside jokes and I lose interest. Too much combat and not enough story will also lose my interest. When I am listening to a D&D podcast I consider it to be almost the same as listening to an audio book or watching a show, I care about the story, not how many Doritos Kevin can fit in his mouth, or whether Amanda thinks the DM's call on that rule check is wrong.
It's one of the reasons I stuck glued to my computer watching the entirety of Critical Role season 1 and am almost caught up on Season 2, because the story pulls me in. The players don't argue with the DM or themselves (except in character) and there is almost no non-D&D related talk.
In many cases, listening to other people play D&D isn't a lot of fun. It's why really good DMs make sure every player gets a chance to shine and have the splotlight, and spreads it out over the session, and gets everyone involved, because it's never fun when you're sitting there at the table while the two really outgoing players have a lengthy conversation or lead the rest of the group around by the nose while your character follows silently along.
I think to have a really good D&D podcast you need an excellent DM, and a group that respects the DM and each other enough to care about the game and the story as a whole and for the audience and not all about themselves and their individual characters, and who are all outgoing enough to all be part of the action. You don't want one or two players rarely talking so 3 podcasts in the listener forgets they exist.
If you're DM you'll probably want to have a good serious talk with your party about how to behave "on air" especially when it comes to questioning your judgement as a DM and the like.
That's not to say a group can't have fun and joke around, but if the group is able to bring that joking down to the character's level, and do their joking in character, it makes for a more entertaining story.
I hope this doesn't come off as condescending or mean or anything like that. I'm just really passionate and I actually really enjoy listening to D&D podcasts, so let me know what it's called when you get it started and I will surely give it a listen.
Your post is awesome! Youre the first to give me some great feedback! Thats why I started with the Hoard of the Dragon Queen because we've all played but its been a while. Its a good starter before we get into the unique campaign I'm writing during this playthrough. I plan on making them get more into their character once they get comfy in playing again, but 3 of them are already doing a good job. We are the Charisma Crew at the moment (name of the podcast as well), but I have 3 groups that are wanting to play, so Im having them name their group like critical role does with the Mighty Nein etc. Once I get the rest started, the whole production will be called Improved Initiative, having different groups with different stories going.
Random criticism of streamed D&D I’ve seen/heard: Watch your language.
I am no prude by any stretch of the imagination and my ability to swear a blue streak is legendary. However, when I’m trying to immerse myself in a D&D stream and all the players are swearing like crazy (out of character), I find it very off-putting. If your character says, “I’m gonna crush his effing skull!” and it fits the demeanor of your fictional avatar... Ok, that’s fine if it isn’t excessive. Some streams (*cough*CriticalRole*cough*) it seems like the players can’t complete a sentence without a swear word. It sounds immature and/or uneducated. Not saying those that do it are those things, but that’s how it sounds.
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Hey guys, take this off if it doesnt belong here:
Im starting a podcast, 3 episodes in, of my group playing d&d. We are doing hoard of the dragon queen to get us started and used to each other as a group before we head into my own personal campaign. But it seems like there are tons of d&d podcasts out there. While I think the way my group plays/solves things is unique, what are some things you guys would want to hear from a podcast?
I personally like the ones that get really into the story, where the players stay in character 90% of the time. If there is more than 10% out of character chatter I lose interest. Too much arguing over rules, too much inside jokes and I lose interest. Too much combat and not enough story will also lose my interest. When I am listening to a D&D podcast I consider it to be almost the same as listening to an audio book or watching a show, I care about the story, not how many Doritos Kevin can fit in his mouth, or whether Amanda thinks the DM's call on that rule check is wrong.
It's one of the reasons I stuck glued to my computer watching the entirety of Critical Role season 1 and am almost caught up on Season 2, because the story pulls me in. The players don't argue with the DM or themselves (except in character) and there is almost no non-D&D related talk.
In many cases, listening to other people play D&D isn't a lot of fun. It's why really good DMs make sure every player gets a chance to shine and have the splotlight, and spreads it out over the session, and gets everyone involved, because it's never fun when you're sitting there at the table while the two really outgoing players have a lengthy conversation or lead the rest of the group around by the nose while your character follows silently along.
I think to have a really good D&D podcast you need an excellent DM, and a group that respects the DM and each other enough to care about the game and the story as a whole and for the audience and not all about themselves and their individual characters, and who are all outgoing enough to all be part of the action. You don't want one or two players rarely talking so 3 podcasts in the listener forgets they exist.
If you're DM you'll probably want to have a good serious talk with your party about how to behave "on air" especially when it comes to questioning your judgement as a DM and the like.
That's not to say a group can't have fun and joke around, but if the group is able to bring that joking down to the character's level, and do their joking in character, it makes for a more entertaining story.
I hope this doesn't come off as condescending or mean or anything like that. I'm just really passionate and I actually really enjoy listening to D&D podcasts, so let me know what it's called when you get it started and I will surely give it a listen.
Your post is awesome! Youre the first to give me some great feedback! Thats why I started with the Hoard of the Dragon Queen because we've all played but its been a while. Its a good starter before we get into the unique campaign I'm writing during this playthrough. I plan on making them get more into their character once they get comfy in playing again, but 3 of them are already doing a good job. We are the Charisma Crew at the moment (name of the podcast as well), but I have 3 groups that are wanting to play, so Im having them name their group like critical role does with the Mighty Nein etc. Once I get the rest started, the whole production will be called Improved Initiative, having different groups with different stories going.
Random criticism of streamed D&D I’ve seen/heard: Watch your language.
I am no prude by any stretch of the imagination and my ability to swear a blue streak is legendary. However, when I’m trying to immerse myself in a D&D stream and all the players are swearing like crazy (out of character), I find it very off-putting. If your character says, “I’m gonna crush his effing skull!” and it fits the demeanor of your fictional avatar... Ok, that’s fine if it isn’t excessive. Some streams (*cough*CriticalRole*cough*) it seems like the players can’t complete a sentence without a swear word. It sounds immature and/or uneducated. Not saying those that do it are those things, but that’s how it sounds.