Objectionable Content
Source GM Core pg. 7
Before a campaign begins, check in with your players—as a group or individually—to find out what types of content they want to allow in the game and which topics they would prefer to avoid. Because the story unfolds in real time, it's essential that you discuss these topics before the game starts, often in a session zero.
It can help to start with a rating, like those used for movies or video games. Starfinder games often include violence. What's the limit on how graphically violence should be described? Does anyone have phobias they don't want to appear in the game, such as spiders or body horror? Does anyone have pet peeves that might anger or irritate them and should be avoided? Are there any vices a player would prefer to remain off-screen or omit completely, such as gambling, alcoholism, or drug use?
After you figure out the limits on objectionable content, you have four important tasks:
It can help to start with a rating, like those used for movies or video games. Starfinder games often include violence. What's the limit on how graphically violence should be described? Does anyone have phobias they don't want to appear in the game, such as spiders or body horror? Does anyone have pet peeves that might anger or irritate them and should be avoided? Are there any vices a player would prefer to remain off-screen or omit completely, such as gambling, alcoholism, or drug use?
After you figure out the limits on objectionable content, you have four important tasks:
- Clearly convey these limits to the other players.
- Ensure you and other players abide by the boundaries.
- Act immediately if someone becomes uncomfortable about content during a session, even if it wasn't banned in a prior discussion. Once the issue is resolved, move on.
- Resolve the issue if any player deliberately pushes these boundaries, tries to find loopholes, tries to renegotiate the limits, or belittles people for having a different tolerance to objectionable content.