Experience Keshanar City Live: Join Us in the Unreal Engine!

Safety tools are guidelines meant to help TTRPG Game Masters (GMs) and players alike form a social contract that guides gameplay. This allows the playgroup to create a welcoming, supportive and trusting environment tailored to everyone’s experiences.

Before an online game session

Session Zero: Session Zero occurs before your campaign or one-shot begins. This step is critical; it is when you and your players introduce yourselves and discuss what type of game you are looking to play. In Session Zero, you and your players begin creating a culture. Essentially, you and your players establish how everyone should be treated, what safety tools are available and how to respond to the situations that call for those tools. As a (GM), you must then set expectations (is this a laid-back game or is this a riveting experience?) based on player feedback.

I suggest focusing your discussion during Session Zero on respect, consent and fun. What do those concepts mean to your players? You think you might know, but you’d be surprised by what you hear.

During Session Zero: I recommend GMs start using an “Open Door” technique (as posited by Eirik Fatland in an excellent piece on debriefing in gaming) to make sure that players know to reach out anytime before the first play session with any thoughts, concerns or doubts.

Before a convention game session

Email Players: Oftentimes, convention GMs are not able to organize a Session Zero. In those situations, we suggest emailing players to ensure they are aware that the lines of communication are open. In such an email, GMs should briefly state what safety tools are available, such as Lines and Veils, X Card and others. (*See During a game session below for full definitions of these tools.)

Before a game session with friends

Session Zero: Like in an online game session, a Session Zero is important IRL for setting expectations, creating a culture, and gaining consent.
Lines and Veils (designed by Ron Edwards): In order to set up this tool, ask your players to provide you with any topics, themes or situations that they would prefer to avoid in a game. You will be surprised to hear what they will share (no spiders, no child violence, etc.). Keep their needs in mind in case you need to fade to black or have the players skip ahead in the story.
Open Door Policy: GMs should assure players that they can reach out with any questions or concerns before, after or during a game. Remind your players that you value their feedback and experiences.

During a game session: The tools

The X Card (designed by John Stavropoulos): The X Card is a tool where players can show an X to the GM if there is a consent problem or an issue with their comfort. This means that the scene must be stopped or skipped (no questions asked). The X Card has been added to VTTs like Roll20. Many online games are also played via Discord where the players can privately message an X to the Dungeon Master. Keeping the X Card between just the GM and the player can encourage players to use it by keeping potentially personal needs or vulnerabilities private.
Fade to Black: Similar to the X Card, a Fade to Black rule means that the players can initiate a scene “fading to black;” in other words, the session immediately moves on from the situation at hand (with no need for explanation).
Checking in during breaks: When GMs offer bio-breaks during game sessions, there is often a missed opportunity for the GM or for players to use this time to check in on each other. This does not have to be (and probably should not be) an in-depth conversation; just a verbal confirmation of continued comfort with the session is needed.
Stepping out or pausing the game: GMs should communicate to players that they can step away from the game if they need to (i.e. after a heated discussion or difficult scenario). Similarly, players or GMs should create a culture in which anyone can “pause” the game in order to check in or get clarification about the current scenario (comfort, consent, etc.)

In between game sessions or at the end of a session

Thanks and Gather Feedback: Let players know that you appreciate their time, creativity and company. Also, give players the opportunity to give feedback. Debriefing with players allows for a deeper understanding on what players consider fun, appropriate, or interesting.