Railroad
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, 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.[1][2] One definition specifically narrows it down to when a GM "negates a player’s choice to enforce a preconceived outcome".[3]
See also
References
- ↑ Kevin Mason (2024) Reverse Railroading GM technique, blog post, Jack Monkey Games website. Retrieved 10th June 2026.
- ↑ @vestige (2012) Railroading What Does it Mean and Should it Be Used or Avoided? blog post, RPG Geek. Retrieved 10th June 2026.
- ↑ Justin Alexander (2015) The Railroading Manifesto blog post, The Alexandrian website. Retrieved 10th June 2026.