Rhydian: Created page with "A '''Railroad''' is used to describe plots in roleplaying games where players experience a series of linear events as set out by the GMs in advance. Due to the complex nature of storytelling and player management for roleplaying games, there is frequently - if not always - some amount of pre-prepared material for player experience, to control for a desired outcome. But when plans are rigid, or enacted in a way that seems to block off alternative pathways..."

2026-06-10T12:12:02Z

Created page with "A '''Railroad''' is used to describe plots in roleplaying games where players experience a series of linear events as set out by the GMs in advance. Due to the complex nature of storytelling and player management for roleplaying games, there is frequently - if not always - some amount of pre-prepared material for player experience, to control for a desired outcome. But when plans are rigid, or enacted in a way that seems to block off alternative pathways..."

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A '''Railroad''' is used to describe plots in roleplaying games where players experience a series of linear events as set out by the [[Gamemaster|GMs]] in advance.

Due to the complex nature of storytelling and player management for roleplaying games, there is frequently - if not always - some amount of pre-prepared material for player experience, to control for a desired outcome. But when plans are rigid, or enacted in a way that seems to block off alternative pathways, they can have the consequence of limiting player's feelings of freedom or [[agency]] and increasing their frustration or loss of faith in the GM's abilities. Thus this term has negative connotations.

Some roleplayers refer to a railroad, or use railroading as a verb, to describe any linear or pre-determined plot design both good and bad.<ref>Kevin Mason (2024) [https://www.jackmonkeygames.com/2024/07/17/reverse-railroading-gm-technique/ Reverse Railroading GM technique], blog post, ''Jack Monkey Games'' website. Retrieved 10th June 2026.</ref><ref>@vestige (2012) [https://rpggeek.com/blog/1361/blogpost/10319/hot-topic-1-railroading-what-does-it-mean-and-shou Railroading What Does it Mean and Should it Be Used or Avoided?] blog post, RPG Geek. Retrieved 10th June 2026.</ref> One definition specifically narrows it down to when a GM ''"negates a player’s choice to enforce a preconceived outcome"''.<ref>Justin Alexander (2015) [https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/36900/roleplaying-games/the-railroading-manifesto The Railroading Manifesto] blog post, ''The Alexandrian'' website. Retrieved 10th June 2026.</ref>

==See also==
* [[Plot train]]
* [[Steering]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* [https://muds.fandom.com/wiki/Railroading Railroading on the MUD wiki]

[[Category:Glossary]]

Railroad - Revision history