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11:44, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Do Arena Style Games Work Because They Are 1 v 1?

Posted by GreenTongue
GreenTongue
member, 972 posts
Game Archaeologist
Tue 11 May 2021
at 13:16
  • msg #1

Do Arena Style Games Work Because They Are 1 v 1?

How many combatants can you have in an arena style game and still be manageable / fun?

Are they slow paced and subject to interest loss?

Are the actual fights only a small part of play?
evileeyore
member, 492 posts
GURPS GM and Player
Joined August 2015
Tue 11 May 2021
at 15:24
  • msg #2

Re: Do Arena Style Games Work Because They Are 1 v 1?

GreenTongue:
Do Arena Style Games Work Because They Are 1 v 1?

No moreso than regualr games.  Games only work if Players show up and I've plenty of experience with 1v1 Arena where Players wander off before they even start as well as in the middle of fights.

quote:
How many combatants can you have in an arena style game and still be manageable / fun?

As many as the GM can handle GMing for.

quote:
Are they slow paced and subject to interest loss?

Games are only as slow the GM allows.  If a GM can post hourly and enforces hourly posting, it's gonna be a damn fast paced game.  If they only post once a week, it'll be slow.

quote:
Are the actual fights only a small part of play?

Again, up to the GM.  You can run pure combat Arena, limited rp Arena's, full rp Arenas, whatever floats the GMs boat.  I imagine an Arena setup that has at least some rp, along the lines of professional wresting with 'heels, faces; team-ups, grudges, etc' would make for a more interesting game than pure number crunching and tactical 'minis' combat.
aguy777
member, 347 posts
Join Date:
Thu, 28 Nov, 2013
Tue 11 May 2021
at 15:29
  • msg #3

Re: Do Arena Style Games Work Because They Are 1 v 1?

evileeyore:
I imagine an Arena setup that has at least some rp, along the lines of professional wresting with 'heels, faces; team-ups, grudges, etc' would make for a more interesting game than pure number crunching and tactical 'minis' combat.

I did that once. PvE arena, with groups of four to six PCs in arenas heavily influenced by professional wrestling and shows like American Gladiators. So long as the pace keeps consistent, they are amazingly good fun.
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