What D&D Players Really Want from a Campaign
Your D&D players might tell you they want deep roleplaying, complex characters, detailed worldbuilding, and an immersive campaign. But do they really want all that? Or do they just like the idea of playing that kind of game?
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It’s an interesting distinction, and one that could make a big difference in how you approach your next session. Because there’s a good chance that what D&D players say they want and what they actually enjoy at the table aren’t quite the same thing. And if that’s true, it might mean you’re doing a whole lot more preparation than you need to.
What D&D Players Say They Want
Ask around online, and you’ll find plenty of players who say they want more roleplaying in their games. They want compelling NPCs, meaningful character development, and rich settings. A survey of about 2,700 respondents on Reddit a few years ago found that around 41% preferred an even split between combat and roleplaying. Another 30% wanted roleplaying to make up 70% of their games.
A good DM wants their players to have fun, so you want to prep the kind of game they want to play. (And you love world building, so why not?) You build a world that feels alive, create interesting NPCs, connect player characters to the setting, and improvise situations you couldn’t possibly have anticipated.
And your players also need to invest in their characters and engage with the world through roleplaying.
The Problem with Online D&D Discussions
One thing worth considering is who actually participates in online discussions about tabletop RPGs. As Ben from Questing Beast points out in a recent video, the players who are most interested in the deeper aspects of RPGs are also the ones most likely to participate in online communities. They’re discussing game mechanics, watching YouTube videos, answering surveys, and debating the finer points of the hobby.
But the vast majority of people are playing games at home, spending time with friends, and just having fun without necessarily thinking about how to improve their roleplaying or optimize their characters. And that matters when you’re trying to figure out what your players actually want.
Wanting Something and Actually Doing It Are Different Things
Some players genuinely want a deeper, more immersive D&D experience. They watch shows like Critical Role and Dimension 20 and think about how much fun it would be to play in a campaign like that. But there’s a difference between enjoying the idea of something and being willing to put in the effort to make it happen.
That kind of roleplaying requires a certain amount of commitment. Players need to engage with their characters, participate in conversations, and be willing to explore emotional situations. It’s not necessarily something everyone finds comfortable or enjoyable. Most people (even if they think they’d enjoy it) don’t actually care enough to put in the time to learn the necessary skills.
It’s not wrong. It’s just the way they want to enjoy the game.
Sometimes Players Just Want to Hang Out
Former D&D designer Mike Mearls shared an interesting observation about playtesting fourth edition. He noticed that many players weren’t using their characters’ powers. Instead, they’d just swing their sword or throw a dagger. Mike himself said that most D&D players aren’t interested in going any deeper than that.
They want to relax, play pretend, and laugh together. That’s not a criticism of those players. It’s a completely legitimate way to enjoy a tabletop RPG. Not everyone wants to approach the game as a complicated storytelling exercise.
You Don’t Have to Make Every Campaign Complicated
If your players aren’t really interested in deep worldbuilding, you don’t have to spend hours on it. If they don’t care so much about three-dimensional NPCs, you don’t need to create a detailed backstory for every shopkeeper. If they aren’t interested in memorizing every character ability or rule, you don’t have to expect them to.
That doesn’t mean you should stop putting effort into your games. Just focus on the stuff that’s fun for everyone. (And if worldbuilding or NPCs are your thing, you can still make those part of the experience.) Some groups will absolutely love deep roleplaying, complex characters, and elaborate campaign settings. Others will be perfectly happy with a straightforward adventure, interesting monsters, a few memorable encounters, and plenty of opportunities to have fun together.
Your job as a GM isn’t to deliver the most elaborate campaign possible. It’s to create an enjoyable experience for the people sitting around your table. And sometimes, the best thing you can do for your D&D players is stop worrying about making everything perfect and just enjoy the game.
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