I Was Betrayed!

[Dr_Gonzo99]

Heh weird I read this article and then the next game I played there was a nice moment of betrayal. One character abandoning another to the mercy of a ancient vamp to save his own skin. It wasn't nearly as dramatic as others mentioned here (first game trying out WOD, the characters had only known each other a few days and the guy who ran off was a literally a Nazi) but since in most of the other games I've played the PCs all stick together through thick and thin for no other reason than that fact that they are PCs, they never really questions why they are loyal to the group.
In short it was nice to shake things up with a bit of light betrayal. Especially since the Nazi got his comeuppance at the end.

 

[Miumaru]

You have not played the trial modes in SSFIV. I have cried more than once, and also more than once experienced much joy of finally pulling off that insane combo on Dan and getting SUCCESS accross the screen. Hurt my arm once as they jerked very hard into the air in cheer once.

 

[0over0]

I was out of town or I'd have replied sooner.

I think that's a perfectly valid response, then. Yeah, as a DM, I would prefer the story continue "as written,"--but let's face it, we're all there to have fun and if some people strongly indicate that what's planned is not going to be fun to them, then compromises must be made. Ultimately, the group must decide as a whole what's best for them and it's certainly not up to any one--DM or otherwise--to make that decision for them.

 

[Skarlette]

I wouldn't say that video games don't do moments that make you cry (or moved, emotionally), but I would say that experiencing those moments (rare as they are) all depends on one major factor -- do you feel connected to your character?

If you feel emotionally invested in your character and the people in game around you, if they've got solid back-story's and you can really get into the story, then you can feel just as strongly to events that happen in-game. A video game would feel more scripted than tabletop games, because by their nature, tabletop can take any turn a player directs it down, whereas the video game is pre-written, has a (somewhat) set storyline, etc. But the moments are there, and occasionally done subtly well.

The BEST example I can think of is in Dragon Age: Origins; I played a human noble who was the sole survivor of her family's slaughter, and carried that guilt through the story. When she went to find Andraste's Ashes, in a spiritual gauntlet, she gets to meet with a ghost of her father, and they have a somewhat moving conversation. In the end, the character was given a 'A simple amulet with a mirrored back.... Sometimes, when gazing into the silvered backing, there are fleeting glimpses of someone else: the face is familiar, and the smile encouraging.'

I found myself really touched with how the game did it, that it no longer was the character having the conversation but it was ME through the character, and it was cathartic, emotionally draining but very satisfying. It sucked me in so well that I insisted on playing the rest of the game with the Reflection amulet I got from that encounter on, despite finding SO MANY other items that, stat-wise, were much more beneficial.

 

[Ninjatastic]

Quite a few years back, my party held an impromptu funeral for an NPC and it was the saddest damn thing I ever experienced in a D&D game. Even the most apathetic player who never really got into his characters seemed to be down. I married the DM, so hopefully he'll run some other emotionally charged sessions in the future!

 

[Elf Defiler Korgan]

Such a good story. I've come across the pushy lawful good cleric before (or paladin) and forcing people to convert or not be raised is very low, and if they are good adventurers on the side of good (but not lawful good) quite manipulative. These type of characters allow people to be pushy, to be dicks, and they are fun for them, but not so much for the rest. If a good rogue or swashbuckler refuses to convert, and they aren't raised, then the diabolical cleric allowing his pride and church to get in the way of the good and best outcome, should be lynched.

Lynch the cleric!