Delights, Desires, & Contentment

Introduction to the DDC System

“Hey everyone, before we dive into today’s session, I wanted to introduce a new feedback system we’ll be using called Delights, Desires & Contentment, or DDC for short. This system is designed to help us communicate what we enjoy about the game and what we’d like to see more or less of in future sessions.” 

Delights

Delights are moments or aspects of the game that you really enjoyed or appreciated. This could be something another player did, a cool scene that unfolded, or an interesting plot twist. When sharing a Delight, try to be specific about what made it enjoyable for you. For example, “I really liked how everyone worked together to solve that puzzle” or “The description of the eerie forest really set the mood for me.” 

Desires

Desires are things you’d like to see more of or less of in the game. This could be wanting more combat encounters, more opportunities for roleplay, or less focus on a particular aspect that you’re not as interested in. Remember to be constructive with your feedback and suggest alternatives if you’re asking for less of something. For instance, “I’d love to see more opportunities for character development through roleplay” or “I’m not a huge fan of puzzles, so maybe we could have fewer of those and more exploration instead.” 

Contentment

If you’re content with how things are running and don’t have any specific Delights or Desires to share, that’s perfectly fine too! Just let us know you're content, and we’ll keep doing what we’re doing. DDC (Delights, Desires & Contentment) can be a mix and match. Players can give Delights and be Content with Desires or vice versa where Players can give Desires and be Content with Delights. 

The Purpose of DDC

The DDC System isn’t just about gathering feedback-it’s about ensuring that everyone has a great time playing that game. We all come to the table with different preferences and interests, and the DDC System is designed to help us strike a balance that satisfies everyone. While this isn’t perfect for everyone, the System strives to help make the best for all in certain tables with certain games. By being an active participant, you are making the DDC System effective and raising your chances of a satisfying game in both the short and long run. 

Balance

One of the key goals of the DDC System is to maintain a balance between different elements of gameplay, such as combat, roleplay, and exploration. By sharing our Desire, we can identify if there’s a particular aspect of the game that we’d like to see more or less of. This helps us tailor the game to suit the group’s preferences and ensure that everyone gets their fair share of the spotlight. 

Flexibility

At the same time, the DDC System allows for flexibility in how we approach the game. If someone expresses a Desire for more combat encounters for example, that doesn’t mean we’ll suddenly shift all our focus to combat at the expense of other aspects. Instead, we’ll look for ways to integrate more combat while still maintaining a balance experience overall. Similarly, if someone is Content with how things are running, it doesn’t mean their feedback isn’t valuable-it means we’re doing a good job of catering to their preferences and willing to stretch to accommodate other preferences. 

Referee Guidance

You as the DM/GM or Referee, your role in the DDC System is crucial for ensuring that everyone’s feedback is heard and considered. Pay close attention to the feedback provided by players with recurring themes from Delights or suggestions from the Desires and use it to guide your decisions in shaping the game experience while maintaining your desire of the campaign’s main story, premise, or theme. Continuously iterate and refine the DDC System based on the feedback you receive and be open to discussing feedback with your players as a group. Additionally, consider seeking input from other referees or experienced players to brainstorm creative ways to incorporate feedback into your game. Remember, the goal is to create a collaborative and enjoyable gaming experience for everyone involved.

 Active participation from each player is key to making the DDC System effective. Remember, everyone’s feedback not only helps tailor the game to suit the group’s preferences but also fosters a collaborative atmosphere where everyone feels heard and involved. So, encourage everyone to take an active role in the feedback process and share their Delights and Desires. The table becomes an enjoyable experience for many. 

Finally, remember to maintain open communication with your players regarding any adjustments made based on the feedback received through the DDC System by acknowledging it. This ensures transparency and reinforces the collaborative nature of the gaming experience.