Discuss successful and/or unsuccessful ways you’ve integrated a new character into an existing game.
I've had mixed success with integrating characters into existing games, but I think that I have tried hard, on my own end, to do so.
Some examples:
In the AAPA series, I had great fun in introducing a new character to the second installment at ACUS 2003, in the person of Jenn Woelke. I used her character's appearance and unusual abilities to good effect, helping to drive the plot and making her an integral part of the happenings in the second (and subsequently) third installment. It was the first real roleplaying Jenn and I had done together, and it worked out well.
More recently, I've added new players to SB, in the persons such as Claire (Kennard), Ginger (Alais), Michael (Oliver) and Amber (Alex and Braem). In each case, I found niches where new characters could and would shine, and have worked with the players to get the characters into fun and intriguing situations.
Since inter-PC threads are not that common in SB (as opposed, to, say, House of Cards), I've made great use of NPCs to get new characters familiar with my game and my style. In a couple of cases, the players aren't aware of the NPC, yet, and in one case, I quickly threw two new players together, to interact and grow together.
On the other hand, I've had my share of failures. Players who just aren't compatible with my style and ethos, ranging from Scott Olson (whose style and mine just did not mesh), to players whom I regret letting into SB. My vetting process in the past has been poor, although I've gotten much better. I'm very happy with my latest recruits (relatively speaking) to the game.
Posted by Jvstin at January 20, 2005 3:02 PM