Line?
A game about trying to stage a play 
In Line? 2 or more players need to work together to stage a play that no one can remember rehearsing for. This game:
- Focuses on role-play.
- Has no combat.
- Has no discrete losing state.
- Requires no dedicated GM.
- Requires about an hour.
Needs
- Something to make notes with
- 1 six-sided dice
- Comfort and willingness to perform in character
- If you will tackle difficult topics, make sure everyone has consented
Creative
Players may choose to play as themselves, or create a character to be the performer, but all players need a “creative” that they will be playing. This creative needs a bio in the program.
Your bio is your character sheet, and it contains:
Details
A performer needs a name, pronouns, and (though it might seem redundant) an appearance.
Last Production
What was the last production they’ve been in? If you’d like, you can also describe how it went.
Most Embarrassing Stage Moment
What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to them on stage, what choice haunts them?
Preferred Job
A job they are good at, some suggestions would be:
- Actor
- Stage Manager
- Set Designer
- AV Designer
- Director
- Assistant
The Show
The game should begin with the start of the show, one player should declare that they are on stage, that player is Acting, everyone else will start doing Tech.
- Someone on Tech should say “Lights up on:” with a description of the initial scene.
- The person on stage Acting will begin saying lines and doing Actions.
- Other players will Enter, Exit, perform other Actions and act.
- The show should continue until the players find a way to end it.
Actions
While the show is going on, those Acting and doing Tech can perform actions using dice. Each role has its own list of actions. Whenever you are doing an action,
- Roll 1d6
- Add 1 if the action is related to your Preferred Job.
- Add 1 if the action can be tied back to your experience with your Last Production.
- Subtract 1 if the action can be tied back to your experience with your Most Embarrassing Stage Moment.
The total is your Action Value (AV)
Acting
When your creative is on stage, they are acting. They should be attempting to play one or more characters in the scene, role-playing their motivations and trying to push forward the story. While Acting, you can:
- Role-play by talking
- Give simple descriptions of what you are doing
- Attempt an Action
Your Actions are:
Exit
You try to exit the scene, transitioning to Tech.
| Action Value | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 or less | You can’t leave now! Everyone is loving this, and you definitely have more lines. |
| 2-3 | Someone expects a final line from you, you have to say something else before leaving. |
| 4+ | You leave the stage. |
Line?
You can’t remember what to say next, maybe someone will help you.
| Action Value | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 or less | No one can help you, and you have a line right now, what do you say? |
| 2-3 | Someone can whisper the first few words of your line, you need to start your line this way. |
| 4+ | The players can spend a few minutes discussing the line. |
Make A Choice
Sometimes you have to make a big choice, whether that be a costume change, large movement, dance, or something else that will wow the audience.
| Action Value | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 or less | This was a terrible idea everyone is looking at you like you messed up! You move back to where you were before the big choice, and it’s still your line! |
| 2-3 | You should have rehearsed this! Someone is going to need to stall while you finish. |
| 4+ | The choice goes off swimmingly. |
Wait For Cue
You remember there being a cue here, maybe if you look angry enough someone on Tech will remember.
| Action Value | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 or less | No one is picking up on your hints, everyone on Tech needs to wait a few lines before doing anything. |
| 2-3 | Someone on tech can try to jump in with an Action. |
| 4 or more | Someone on Tech can perform an Actions with a +1 bonus, and you may provide a suggestion for what it should be. |
Tech
When your creative is backstage, they are doing tech. They should be listening to those Acting and trying to help them any way they can. While a tech, you can:
- Speak with other techs about the state of the show
- Attempt an Action
Your Actions are:
Cue
You know something cool was supposed to happen right now you are sure of it, a scene transition, light effect, sound cue, setting a prop, or maybe a projection.
| Action Value | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 or less | That’s not the right button, something went wrong with this cue, and it’s going to take you a few minutes to fix it. |
| 2-3 | The cue happens, smooth enough. |
| 4 or more | The cue happens and is integrated perfectly, the next Acting Action receives a +1. |
Direct
You remember the blocking for this scene, and they have it all wrong! You’re going to have to walk them through it.
| Action Value | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 or less | You just walked on! You’re going to show them what to do live. You are now Acting. |
| 2-3 | You must describe some changes to the blocking and mood of the scene, but the actors can’t give feedback. |
| 4 or more | You can talk to the actors in detail about the scene, discuss with the actors their motivations, and what the point of the scene is. The next action that happens on stage receives a +1. |
Enter
You think you’re on in this scene, you will try entering the scene and start Acting.
| Action Value | Result |
|---|---|
| 1 or less | There is for sure something you need to do before you can get on, you can’t join just yet. |
| 2-3 | You need a second to get ready, someone will have to stall with a line. |
| 4 or more | You enter the scene flawlessly. |