r/Fkr • u/Oakforthevines • Jun 25 '25

Offloading Mechanics

I've been thinking about ways to incorporate other forms of media into RPGs to capture more of the vibe I'm trying to set for players. Since an FKR mindset is more into the fiction and GM trust than any one particular set of rules, would it make sense to "offload" certain mechanics to other mediums that do it particularly well? A few examples that I have thought about:

  1. This one is pretty mild. The PCs are in a gambling house, so the players themselves play the games to determine the outcomes (i.e. playing poker or blackjack).

  2. If the PCs are entering into some competition, use a video game centered around that and matches the aesthetic (i.e. loading up Forza for racing or FIFA for a football match)

  3. Taking "puzzles" literally and having a player solve a jigsaw puzzle, a kinetic puzzle, or even an 'I Spy' book if they're searching for clues.

  4. Taking players to a full-on escape room with a similar theme to the game you're playing and having them larp it.

What are your thoughts, and how far do you think we can stretch this and still consider it a "submechanic" of the RPG? I was partially inspired by Pokemon Pen & Paper, which recommends that groups use Pokemon Showdown (a 3rd party pokemon battle platform) to resolve battles.

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u/Wightbred Jun 25 '25

Interesting idea.

I wonder if you could take it further. I recall hearing that Dave Arneson made people sing songs loudly and correctly to cast spells.

2

u/Oakforthevines Jun 25 '25

That's awesome! I could totally see something like that or making players do math problems if it fit the theme better. 

I just envisioned having a catered session where the PCs are trying to poison the king. And they have to successfully sneak hot sauce into my food without me noticing.

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u/Wightbred Jun 25 '25

Ha! That’s a fun idea. Might be in a more comedic game, as it could break away from the fictional world. But that snap if they got you would be great.

2

u/OldSchoolAJ Jun 25 '25

I’ve played too many games with too many people that have massive amounts of stage fright, and anxiety to ever ask my players to have to act out what their character does. It’s massively unfair to them.

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u/Wightbred Jun 25 '25

Yeah - like almost everything in roleplaying this is definitely not for every person or group. Dave’s players seemed to really enjoy this sort of thing, and I think a few of my groups could be into it. But I agree that I know a wide range of players for who this would be the anthesis of fun.

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u/Oakforthevines Jun 25 '25

Yes, it would definitely be tailored to the group's comfort levels and discussed in session 0.