So I have a quick question I need answering from people who do actual plays.
Basically how do you stop players from derailing the game for 10 minutes with things like discussions on things like medieval history. Context my players spent the first 10 minutes of a DnD stream debating about the Holy Roman Empire.
So yeah any advice on how to stop players from derailing the first 5-10 minutes of a stream with talks of Irl History
You need to get the players on board with not just playing the game, but performing playing the game. Not everyone is a performer and can be 'on' all the time.
Have you considered editing, or are you live-streaming?
I think you need to chat to the players about the difference between a home game and a live stream. In a live stream, you are playing D&D but also trying to be entertaining for others that might be watching in real time. A 10 minute digression into the history of the holy roman empire might well cause some folks looking for D&D to turn off the stream and they might not come back.
Talk to the players about staying focused on the game as much as possible, being positive, upbeat and role playing their characters as much as they are comfortable with. Short comments and digressions, particularly amusing ones, can spice things up and show the chemistry between both the players and the DM but rules arguments or a long side track can really take away from the game (it can do the same in person if only some of the folks are interested in the topic of the digression and others want to get on with playing - so it isn't unique to live streaming).
Keep in mind that not everyone will be in to that style of play and the group you have may be loads of fun for playing D&D with but may not be ideal for a live streamed game.
So I have a quick question I need answering from people who do actual plays.
Basically how do you stop players from derailing the game for 10 minutes with things like discussions on things like medieval history. Context my players spent the first 10 minutes of a DnD stream debating about the Holy Roman Empire.
So yeah any advice on how to stop players from derailing the first 5-10 minutes of a stream with talks of Irl History
Get them to agree ahead of time that they won't. Likely they aren't as invested in the idea of streaming D&D as you are.
You need to get the players on board with not just playing the game, but performing playing the game. Not everyone is a performer and can be 'on' all the time.
Have you considered editing, or are you live-streaming?
More Interesting Lock Picking Rules
I think you need to chat to the players about the difference between a home game and a live stream. In a live stream, you are playing D&D but also trying to be entertaining for others that might be watching in real time. A 10 minute digression into the history of the holy roman empire might well cause some folks looking for D&D to turn off the stream and they might not come back.
Talk to the players about staying focused on the game as much as possible, being positive, upbeat and role playing their characters as much as they are comfortable with. Short comments and digressions, particularly amusing ones, can spice things up and show the chemistry between both the players and the DM but rules arguments or a long side track can really take away from the game (it can do the same in person if only some of the folks are interested in the topic of the digression and others want to get on with playing - so it isn't unique to live streaming).
Keep in mind that not everyone will be in to that style of play and the group you have may be loads of fun for playing D&D with but may not be ideal for a live streamed game.