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Scheduling Next Session

2 min read

Written January 10, 2025 in 9 minutes as part of the Gentle Games Habit

A solo journaling RPG about scheduling RPGs.

You are an aspiring game master, trying to organize an RPG campaign. Follow the following steps to get the experience.

Phase 1: the game master

In this phase, you take the role of the game master.

  1. Get a journal, or keep a set of files on your computer as your Scheduling Next Session (SNS) game journal.
  2. Find an RPG book and read it. In your SNS journal, take notes on the system.
  3. Devise a story arc for the game, take notes on it in your journal.
  4. When you have overthought it enough, in your SNS journal, draft a message to friends to enthusiastically pitch the game to them.

Phase 2: the players

Before starting this phase, wait a few days. Imagine the game master’s friend who would receive this pitch, and take on this role.

  1. Read the email pitch from Phase 1, Step 4.
  2. Write an enthusiastic or doubting response about your desire to play.

Repeat these steps for as many players as you’d like to.

Phase 3: the game master

  1. Read the player responses
  2. Draft scheduling emails to them.

Phase 4: the players

  1. Read the scheduling email
  2. Choose: ignore it, respond enthusiastically, turn down the game session.

Phase 5: the session

  1. As game master: on the date of the game session, gather your material together
  2. As players: write emails saying you cannot make the game.
  3. As game master: journal about the experience of reading the emails.
  4. Decide if you want to play Scheduling Next Session again or not. If so, return to any step of phase 1 you’d like. If not, write a nasty, overly-emotive email to the players.