Pubblicato il 30/10/2025
In tabletop role-playing, building a character’s background is often considered a fundamental step. Some players write entire pages about their alter ego’s story. Is this really necessary? More and more game designers invite us to start with very short and flexible backgrounds, focusing on emergent storytelling and letting characters be drawn into adventures from the very beginning.
Who started this trend? What motivates designers and players to skip detailed history? Where and when did this approach begin to spread, and why should you try it at your own table?
How short backgrounds work in RPGs
Why Session 0 is crucial
Narrative benefits and player involvement
Examples from popular games
Practical advice for GMs and players
Extremely long backgrounds can create unrealistic expectations and rarely come up during play. With a succinct background:
The character’s story develops during sessions
The focus shifts to shared storytelling
Engagement is higher, as every choice shapes both past and future
You save time by skipping details that may never appear
GMs can integrate characters into the main plot much more easily
Players enjoy more creative flexibility
Session 0 is the key moment where everything takes shape. Instead of being an actual game session, it’s a preparatory meeting where GM and players together lay the groundwork for the campaign.
1. Aligning expectations: Everyone understands the tone of the campaign (gritty, comedic, or investigative) so characters naturally fit the world.
2. Building connections: During Session 0, players can define pre existing relationships. This immediately creates team cohesion.
3. Setting boundaries and consent: It’s time to discuss sensitive topics and agree on what’s off limits, making sure every participant feels comfortable and safe.
4. World co-creation: With short backgrounds, players can help shape the setting by suggesting elements for the GM.
5. Strategic open questions: The GM can ask players things like: “What’s your greatest fear?” “Who betrayed you in the past?” or “What are you desperately searching for?” sparking creativity with minimal backstory.
Present the campaign concept and system
Define the overall tone
Build characters together, focusing on connections
Set up safety tools (X-Card, Lines & Veils)
Agree on logistics and session frequency
Leave empty spaces in backgrounds to be revealed during play
Problem: Overly detailed backgrounds make integrating every character into the main plot hard.
Solution: Simple and focused backgrounds let the story adapt as it unfolds. Session 0 ensures backgrounds are meaningful and connected.
Problem: Some players feel lost without a detailed backstory.
Solution: Session 0 provides context and initial relationships, while backstory emerges through flashbacks and focused scenes.
Blades in the Dark: Uses fast questions and playbooks so mechanics define the character, not pages of story.
Apocalypse World: Background emerges via moves and character relationships.
Fiasco: The setup phase builds all necessary ties in minutes.
Dungeon World: Playbook questions help craft the character live.
Tales from the Loop: Focuses on present experience, not complicated pasts.
Dawn of Pripyat: The system encourages building identity through play, starting with a few elements and letting shared storytelling fill the gaps.
Will players feel less involved?
Just the opposite. With a short and flexible background, players take more initiative and shape their character in the moment. Session 0 still provides a strong starting point.
Will the GM lose narrative tools?
Absolutely not: concise backgrounds make games more dynamic and adaptable. The GM can introduce personal plot hooks when meaningful.
How do you avoid shallow stories?
Ask open questions, use flashbacks and narrative mechanics, depth comes from shared experience, not what’s written on the page.
Use the “5 bullet points rule”: ask each player for up to five key facts
Add flashbacks if there’s something interesting to cover
Reward those who develop their characters through play
Use Session 0 to set common ground
Take notes on details that emerge
Leave empty spaces in your background
Discover your character as you play
Build connections right from Session 0
Trust the process, the story will take shape naturally
Respond to the GM’s prompts with openness
Choosing systems that promote short, focused backgrounds means putting story and player involvement at the center. Session 0 is the foundation for a cohesive, inviting, and dynamic campaign.
Let the narrative grow from live play. The real background is what you build together, session after session.
Have you ever changed a character based on in game experiences? Have you enjoyed a particularly effective Session 0? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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