Easier Duet Play

Easier Duet Play

Playing a traditional RPG with one player and one GM comes with its own unique set of challenges

This is possibly the most intense form of our hobby; there is nowhere to hide, your character is always in the spotlight, and every NPC has to be interesting and engaging. The game has to challenge the player, but the player has no one to help them; all the responsibility falls on one pair of shoulders.

Duet games can be incredibly fast-paced. It is always the player's turn to act next; they are not going to be on their phone or step away from the table to make a coffee. They will know what they are doing, and what is going on, because you, as GM, are speaking directly to them. A duet game can burn through a lot of prep in a very short time.

Duet games can also be intensely detailed. An entire session can be filled talking to a single NPC, so your NPCs had better be interesting to talk to! Many things that you may want to avoid in a group game can become fun and absorbing in a duet game because there are no other players to get bored when another character wants to deep dive into an aspect of the setting.

Detailed games uniquely crafted to fit a single character. This is demanding and yet rewarding, and comes with its own set of challenges.

This book looks in detail at this one on one style of play and is good for both players and GMs to read.