I say Freeform. You think what?

[cj.23]

If I say I plan to run a Freeform, what would you think I meant? PLease give some indication of where you are from if possible!

I don't think ther eare any correct answers, as Freeform may well mean very different things to different people, and "what is a Freeform?" or "No idea" are useful answers!



Just conducting a little research...

cj x

[Uberxael]

In the context I've heard it:
LARP, primarily social, where people are given backgrounds but not stats and all conflicts are decided by GM fiat.

[Christian A]

Nobilis, Amber, Larp.

[flyingmice]

I would think it was an RPG without rules, depending on shared consensus and GM fiat.

From Boston, MA, USA.

-clash

[Cerulean Lion]

GM uses descriptions that let the players make in-character decisions, which the GM can resolve without dice.
Example: PC stands before a door, which he must open. It might be trapped. The GM asks, "Do you turn the doorknob to the left, or to the right?"
(The GM has secretly decided that there is a trap, triggered if the PC turns the knob to the left. The door will open safely if he turns it to the right.)
The player must decide which direction to turn the knob.
My example is over-simplified, but basically GM fiat plus setting up situations in which there are real choices for the players, and their decisions make a difference.

[grubman]

I've only been involved in one "freeform" and it was on the Blue Frog Tavern T&T yahoo site. Basicly it was role playing in and out of character without rules OR a GM. You would just cooperatively build on what the other "players" where doing being reasonable. It was a lot of fun.

[BlackSheep]

A standalone live-action event with pregenerated characters and (often) GM-led plot events.

I'm in the UK. There used to be a mailing list called UK-Freeforms for these; there may still be. IME, they usually run in a three- or four-hour session at conventions, or as a weekend-long event at a hotel.

That to me is 'a freeform' - the noun usage. Those I've played often do have systems, albeit light ones. Freeform as an adjective ('a freeform roleplaying session') implies systemless.

[Sablewyvern]

A one off (or short sequence of) live-action-styled RPing event(s), generally held indoors, focused on character-interaction, with pre-genned characters and a self-contained plot. Usually held in real-time, although more complex political games may not be.

My location above and to the right.

[grubman]

Originally Posted by grubman

I've only been involved in one "freeform" and it was on the Blue Frog Tavern T&T yahoo site. Basicly it was role playing in and out of character without rules OR a GM. You would just cooperatively build on what the other "players" where doing being reasonable. It was a lot of fun.

To be a bit more specific (if simplified), my post might be something like:

(OC) Grog opens the door into a 10 ft. by 10 ft. room with a door on the oposite side. Unfortunately he triggers the crossbow trap which wistles over his stunty head and plunges into Bob chest.

(IC) Whew! That was lucky!the guy playing Bob then might com on with:

(IC) URG!

(OC) The bolt plunges into Bobs chest spraying ichor onto Grogs head. As Bob falls to the floor he mumbles a prayer to his god Friglefrax. Suddenly a glow surrounds the bolt and it disapears, along with the wound.

(IC) Looks like all that praying was good for something!

ect. ect.

[WalkingDead]

Originally Posted by cj.23

If I say I plan to run a Freeform, what would you think I meant? PLease give some indication of where you are from if possible!

Generally, I think of it as rules-less roleplaying, but there generally are some ground rules. However, the rules revolve around how you're allowed to interact with each other rather than rules for determining if someone is successful at doing something or not. Whether someone can or cannot do something is usually determined either by the player(s) and/or the GM/moderator of the freeform.

Chris