Reviewing the Highlights or Playing Monday Morning Quarterback

 

This morning I woke up early enough that I was able to engage in something of infinite gaming value – mentally recapping the game. This is not just going over the game again to make sure I commit the details to memory, it is taking it apart bit by bit to assure that I have both been fair in my judgments and not made any huge mistakes. I believe that if you are playing a dungeon crawl, this is not that essential (did I stab that kobold enough times?) but if you are playing a multi-year intrigue game it is invaluable.

 

For instance, last night, I felt I was getting cut off by one of the other players. At the time, I solved this by splitting from the party and doing a few things on my own. Instead of carrying this feeling over into the next game, the isolation of meditating on the game allowed me to break this little scenario apart. My character is not the brains of the operation (but I as a player am not exactly stupid, so this is a fine line) and I had a real life migraine that was messing with me. It could be that distorted my view, or perhaps the other person felt that speaking up for me was helpful. Nothing to hold a grudge over. For me, who can hold a grudge better than a dwarf, this is a break though.

 

There is also the matter of how to improve my own performance. I painted myself into a corner when I designed this particular character. She is a ‘one-shot’ organization character which means I will likely play her for a handful of times over the next few months. Still, I have a character I pigeonholed myself with. She is good at three things – breaking and entering, and being stealthy. That is about it. When I have nothing to steal, and nowhere to sneak to, I find myself thinking – what now? So recapping the game also allows me to tear apart her abilities and where I can better use them next time. Should I have been the one that went to the estate to look for clues, or should I have stayed in town and tried to break back into that noble estate for a second time? There are always clues for ways to do things better.

 

If you are really being reflective on how to improve your gaming, invite a trusted game member to give you feedback, too! I have one member of my gaming group and we always call each other the day after a game and recap. Usually this involves making sure the other noticed all the clues and significant bits of information, and sometimes he tells me I messed up or did something really right. These bit of praise or criticism I file away for future endeavors. If I blew it when I talked to NPC X, how, and how can I get it right?

 

I am 5 foot 1 inches and have short stubby legs and a large chest. Gaming is my sports. Recaping by myself and with others are my highlight reel, because I want to be the best gamer I can be, and that comes from reviewing the footage.