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Diagetic rules

2 months ago

Assuming you have a storygame that utilizes some kind of stats or other mechanical game effect, whatever they might be.  How important is it to you as a reader that those stats are introduced and explained diagenetically within the story versus just a flat paragraph on the intro page or specific 'rules' page that does not both to try to integrate with the world of the story?

 

 

 

Diagetic rules

2 months ago
It should probably be separate and clearly marked, and easy to return to and reference. Readers don't typically uh, read very well.

Diagetic rules

2 months ago

I agree with Mizal, def want to have it available easily. Nothing worse then being like "what does x do again?" and then either try to go all the way back or just say fuck it. (especially if the skill isn't something obvious like strength). I think a mix of both your options is good though. At the intro giving a description or whatever of the skills and then weaving it in to the story - example: passing a strength check has characters recognize the feat "No one has ever been able to lift that" or passing an agility check "you're the fastest man I've ever seen!" etc.