When role-playing, you and your players can enter into a thousand different fantastical worlds and inhabit the lives of a million different people. This variety opens role-playing games to a diverse group of people. Yet, how do you address the different player types and play styles of such a motley group?
As a game master, understanding the diverse learning styles and preferences of your players can greatly enhance their engagement and enjoyment. By incorporating Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence (MI) theory into your RPG sessions, you can create an inclusive and personalized experience that caters to the unique strengths and interests of each player. In this blog post, we will explore how MI theory can help game masters recognize different types of players and provide tips on planning adventures that truly engage them.
What is Multiple Intelligence Theory?
Howard Gardner, a professor at Harvard, posited that people are smart in a number of different ways. Traditionally we look at intelligence as someone who’s really good with words are perhaps super talented with numbers. However, Gardner takes this a step further and says that people excel in a number of different areas. We should call these areas intelligence as well (which made those considered traditionally intelligent upset, but that is a whole different story).
Gardner presented eight different kinds of intelligence (and left room for others that might also exist but had not yet been researched). This list includes the two areas that we have traditionally seen as intelligence: linguistic and logical-mathematics. He then added two ideas that are areas where we have seen geniuses in the artistic fields: visual-spatial and musical. Another two categories speak of how we might be smart outside ourselves: interpersonal and naturalistic. And finally, two ways that people are geniuses within themselves: intrapersonal and bodily-kinesthetic.
But, before we begin putting people in different categories, we need to realize that nobody fits squarely into only one category. We all are strong in a couple of these intelligences. Then we might find that we struggle with one of them. All of the other areas fall somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. We might have some interest but maybe not a whole lot of natural talent. And, no matter how similar two people appear or behave, each person is different in their abilities with these intelligences.
However, that is the beauty of this framework. Game masters will look for ways to incorporate these varied styles into their game and everyone will have a chance to shine. And those who are not currently in the spotlight will still have a good time because they will have more opportunities to stretch in areas that are perhaps their second-tier talents.
Recognizing Different Types of Players
Learning to recognize your players’ talents will take some observation on the part of the GM. During each game, you might want to take notes on which encounters a particular player enjoyed or engaged with. After the game, you might go through each of the MI categories and put the names of your players into each area. You might also give them a copy of the list of intelligences and ask them where they are particularly interested. The more you know about your players, the greater your chance to create an adventure they would enjoy.
Future articles will dive more deeply into each intelligence but here are some (truly) basic introductions to each intelligence:
Linguistic Players love storytelling and words (word smart).
Get them to:
- write about their character
- read aloud flavor text from your adventure
Logical-mathematical Players prefer puzzles and strategic challenges (number or logic smart).
- paper puzzles like sudoku
- character optimization
Visual-spatial Players enjoy pictures and other visual aids (picture or map smart).
- draw in their journals
- maps and terrain
Musical Players feel rhythms and tonality in the game (music smart).
- let them read or write poems
- curate a list of character-themed music
Bodily-kinesthetic Players need to move (body smart).
- encourage them to pantomime their character’s movement
- give them physical artifacts to analyze
Naturalistic Players love the outdoors and living things (nature smart).
- invite them to include rocks and leaves
- play the game outside
Interpersonal Players enjoy interacting with others (people smart).
- interact with NPCs
- let them mentor a new player
Intrapersonal Players know their inner temperature (self smart).
- write session re-caps
- Analyze character subtext and motivation
As game masters observe their players during the game they will start to identify player strengths, preferences, and behaviors. Take notes on what you see. Then during game preparation, you can try to include encounters that would tap into these intelligences.
Encourage Collaboration and Flexibility
RPGs are a collaborative affair and players need to work together. It’s not all about moving the spotlight from one character to another. Find ways to encourage players to work together and use more than one approach to tackle an encounter.
For example, it is easy to see how a player with Interpersonal intelligence would approach an interview with the Great Sheik of th the Sand Giants. However, how might the Naturalist or the Visual-Spatial players? In this scenario, the Naturalist’s character might talk to the giants about the nature of living in the desert and the difficulty of finding water. In this way, they might be able to build a relationship with the NPC that no one else can. The Visual-spatial player might inquire about the symbols that the giants use and use that as an in-roads into the tribe. By including multiple elements, game masters can invite more players to dive into the game.
Game Masters can also look into the physical environment of the game. Are there ways to include a greater number of intelligences in your play space? You might add background music for the Musical Player. The Naturalist might enjoy gaming outside. The Bodily-Kinesthetic Player might be aided by replacing his or her chair with an exercise ball. Talk with your players and find ways to create a play area that will invite everyone to the table.
Conclusion
By embracing Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence theory, game masters can unlock the potential of their players and create engaging and immersive tabletop RPG experiences. Understanding the different types of players and planning adventures that cater to their dominant intelligences not only enhances individual engagement but also fosters a sense of inclusivity and enjoyment among all participants. By tailoring your sessions to accommodate various intelligences, you can create a rich and vibrant gaming experience that resonates with each player and brings them back to the table week after week.
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