The Gentleman Gamer: One-on-One / Mano a Mano / Solo Player Gaming

In which the gentleman in question ruminates on the subject of one-on-one gaming, in which there is one GM and one player. How well does it work, and what suggestions do you have that may make this gaming style better?

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• The Gentleman Gamer
• The Gentleman's Guide
• Role-playing games
• rpgs
• Dungeons & Dragons
• Role-playing Game
• one-on-one
• solo gaming
• mano a mano

[pwninator345]

Though maybe not solo role playing exactly, I had a great time playing a solo game of Arkham Horror at my school's D&D club when only I and another person showed up for that week's meeting.

[clackclickbang]

@pwninator345 I've played Arkham Horror with one other person many a time. I've never won.

[huud007]

I personally have had great success running solo games with Marvel Superheroes or the James Bond RPG, but each of the settings were more episodic in nature, with a beginning and end during the session and little character development. Running an ongoing campaign with just 1 player would be quite difficult to keep engaging and enjoyable. I think as a GM, I would feel like I had too much on my plate to organize for simply one person.

[clackclickbang]

@huud007 Ah, the James Bond RPG! Takes me back..

[alokov]

Most of my experience as a GM is with solo gaming and I'm planning to start a neew solo game That actually might be part of why I suck at GMing lol.I know the idea of having to deal with more than one player freaks me out.I find that all of your advice is true and your criticisms too. I thinkthe problems can be worked around though.

[Onionkid99]

I've done some one-on-one and it went well enough, but I prefer having a group. In some other video Timwise said he prefers a group because he likes bouncing ideas and actions off all the other players. That's my view on it as well, since an RPG is a collaborative process I find the group to be more dynamic.

However a group game with occasional solo interludes is cool, especially in one 'o them intrigue-laden Vampire games.

[SekraMage]

@clackclickbang Actually, I've been discussing the possibility of gaming over Skype with Ander.

[clackclickbang]

@SekraMage You should do! With the Brigade bonding as it is, you may well be able to find some gamers among our number.

[SekraMage]

@clackclickbang I hear that myself, although I have not attempted any gaming over Skype.

[clackclickbang]

@Krakilins Indeed. Description is a key point. If you just declare how many wounds of damage you've caused it gets very dull.

[clackclickbang]

@NVLUTZ007 I agree. Without the party element it can create to dry dialogue and less banter.

[clackclickbang]

@HeathbrookBadhwar WoD games are really good for soloists.

[clackclickbang]

@SekraMage It also works over Skype, or so I hear.

[clackclickbang]

@ParadoxTWC Random is always good. I improvise a lot.