A lot of debate has taken place recently about what is an appropriate age for player characters to be, some suggesting that PC's should be of age, a few others suggesting that there is no limit except your imagination. (I apologize if this seems like I'm loading the terms here-I am not trying to pass judgment on either side, obviously we all do what is fun for our own game, and group right?) So where do you fall on the scale? Have you ever played under aged PC's? What thematic issues did they face? Why? Was it fun? Is there an age group you find to be off limits? Why?


I grew up on movies like the Black Cauldron, and Escape from Witch Mountain, and comic books of all sorts. So for me I'm pretty hip to the idea of the under age PC. The child who grows into adulthood being a common theme in our games.

In an a recent D&D game the player characters were all survivors of a village massacred (Apparently) by the previous group of player characters. In Shadowrun we've run several games in which the PC's were under aged members of gangs, struggling to survive against the odds, and even a few random under aged PC's.  (Tombstone who was a free spirit who was disguised in the physical plane as a eight year old boy, the Four Elemental Fists of Fury-who each had elemental magic powers they used on Indiana Jones style missions.)

What about you? What is your experiences? Notably good or bad? Why?

Quote from: Serious Paul;256869A lot of debate has taken place recently about what is an appropriate age for player characters to be, some suggesting that PC's should be of age, a few others suggesting that there is no limit except your imagination. (I apologize if this seems like I'm loading the terms here-I am not trying to pass judgment on either side, obviously we all do what is fun for our own game, and group right?) So where do you fall on the scale? Have you ever played under aged PC's? What thematic issues did they face? Why? Was it fun? Is there an age group you find to be off limits? Why?


I grew up on movies like the Black Cauldron, and Escape from Witch Mountain, and comic books of all sorts. So for me I'm pretty hip to the idea of the under age PC. The child who grows into adulthood being a common theme in our games.

In an a recent D&D game the player characters were all survivors of a village massacred (Apparently) by the previous group of player characters. In Shadowrun we've run several games in which the PC's were under aged members of gangs, struggling to survive against the odds, and even a few random under aged PC's.  (Tombstone who was a free spirit who was disguised in the physical plane as a eight year old boy, the Four Elemental Fists of Fury-who each had elemental magic powers they used on Indiana Jones style missions.)

What about you? What is your experiences? Notably good or bad? Why?

The Lifepath Chargen in my games begins at age 10 for a reason. You can play younger than that by lessening the four skills you get at that age - want to play a 7 year old? Choose 3 skills. A 5 year old? Choose 2.

-clash

-clash

I don't have any restrictions on age, either in games that I play or run, beyond the general genre or campaign restrictions as set out by the group ahead of time.  Personally speaking, I'm not all that interested in playing young characters.  I did play little kids in a con game of Little Fears that was really a lot of fun, but there was already way too much baby talk that freaked me out so I wouldn't want to do it for any extended period.

QuoteA lot of debate has taken place recently about what is an appropriate age for player characters to be, some suggesting that PC's should be of age, a few others suggesting that there is no limit except your imagination.

I'd suggest that the issue is not the age of the PC but what one wants to do with the PC that determines the "appropriate age".

Quote from: CavScout;256912I'd suggest that the issue is not the age of the PC but what one wants to do with the PC that determines the "appropriate age".

Agreed.

-clash

I've played a 12-year-old mass murderer and a poison dusk child who was a pretty bad guy. Needless to say, I'm not really concerned about it.

QuoteI'd suggest that the issue is not the age of the PC but what one wants to do with the PC that determines the "appropriate age".

This.

I have never played a character under the age of 20, and never found the need to.  I have been in games where the DM has NPC's as young characters that hinder or help the party, but nothing more then a tool for the game.  

I am currently trying to put a game together of D&D with my 10 and 12 year old. I will be monitoring the development so that they experience the fun of the game, whether they choose young or old characters is up to them, but I will make sure every aspect is age appropriate.

Quote from: CavScout;256912I'd suggest that the issue is not the age of the PC but what one wants to do with the PC that determines the "appropriate age".

That's the only reasonable response.

Quote from: Venosha;256969This.

I have never played a character under the age of 20, and never found the need to.  I have been in games where the DM has NPC's as young characters that hinder or help the party, but nothing more then a tool for the game.  

I am currently trying to put a game together of D&D with my 10 and 12 year old. I will be monitoring the development so that they experience the fun of the game, whether they choose young or old characters is up to them, but I will make sure every aspect is age appropriate.

In both my In Harm's Way: A Napoleonic Naval RPG and my forthcoming In Harm's Way: Dragons! one option is to play 12-18 year old officers in training - Midshipmen and Wingmen respectively - which is true to the times. These children were put on the firing line and in charge of grown men, which was typical of the era. They confronted disease, death, and maiming in their work, and were expected to deal with it. The coddling of children is a much newer phenomenon.

-clash

QuoteThe coddling of children is a much newer phenomenon.

I agree that coddling of children is a much newer phenomenon.  I just prefer to monitor the way the story develops and where their characters go, in case questions come up about certain events.  Never would I not answer question pertaining to certain situation, but there are some elements that I am sure my 10 year old is not ready to face vs. my 12 year old.  

I have looked into your games, and find them quite interesting (especially In Harms Way-Dragons ) Although I have not purchased them as of yet, if you have characters that are between 12-18 fighting side by side with older characters, great!  I just don't prefer to play younger characters, and I just mentioned what I had experienced in previous games.  I am all for younger characters, but I need to monitor what I feel is appropriate for my children.

I have no problem with people playing child characters, again as long as the context is appropriate.  In my historical games, its pretty clear that cultural mores are different, and I don't hide that from my players. I don't revel in it either, and its never presented in light of encouragement or endorsement.

RPGPundit

Personally I prefer to play age 16+, ie at least young adults.

Quote from: Venosha;256987I agree that coddling of children is a much newer phenomenon.  I just prefer to monitor the way the story develops and where their characters go, in case questions come up about certain events.  Never would I not answer question pertaining to certain situation, but there are some elements that I am sure my 10 year old is not ready to face vs. my 12 year old.

I agree entirely. That is your parental right and duty. I certainly was careful with my boy when he was that age!

QuoteI have looked into your games, and find them quite interesting (especially In Harms Way-Dragons ) Although I have not purchased them as of yet, if you have characters that are between 12-18 fighting side by side with older characters, great!

Thank you! The younger characters are indeed fighting side-by-side with the older characters in these games. Playing younger characters is an option in the games, not a necessary thing.

QuoteI just don't prefer to play younger characters, and I just mentioned what I had experienced in previous games.  I am all for younger characters, but I need to monitor what I feel is appropriate for my children.

Younger players is an entirely different question than younger characters. I feel there should be room in games for playing younger characters, but younger players is something for the group and parents to determine and deal with on whatever level they feel comfortable with.

-clash

Quote from: Venosha;256987I am all for younger characters, but I need to monitor what I feel is appropriate for my children.

And I don't think anyone with any common sense would try to tell you differently

Quote from: flyingmice;256977In both my In Harm's Way: A Napoleonic Naval RPG and my forthcoming In Harm's Way: Dragons! one option is to play 12-18 year old officers in training - Midshipmen and Wingmen respectively - which is true to the times. These children were put on the firing line and in charge of grown men, which was typical of the era. They confronted disease, death, and maiming in their work, and were expected to deal with it. The coddling of children is a much newer phenomenon.

I should have mentioned the age factor whenever I talked about my IHW games. There were two characters one 14 the other 15 in my Our Cruel Sea campaign. About the only problems we encountered, was exactly how well the kids were able to articulate ideas and stand up to authority (important themes in the campaign). But after a while we just said screw it and assumed they were "wise beyond their years"....not very convincing, but it worked....

Regards,
David R