"Stars and Wishes" is a feedback system designed for tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). It focuses on two key areas:
- Stars: Highlighting moments players enjoyed or found memorable during the session.
- Wishes: Offering constructive ideas for improvement in future sessions.
This method avoids harsh criticism by celebrating successes and framing suggestions as aspirations. It’s great for improving group communication, boosting player satisfaction, and helping Game Masters (GMs) refine their storytelling and mechanics.
How It Works:
- Stars: Share one positive moment from the session (e.g., clever strategies, great roleplay).
- Wishes: Suggest one improvement or hope for the next session.
- Timing: Do this right after the session for fresh insights.
- Participation: Use round-robin sharing to ensure everyone contributes.
Benefits:
- Encourages positive and actionable feedback.
- Strengthens group dynamics and collaboration.
- Helps GMs and players align on what’s working and what could improve.
Whether you're running a fantasy epic, a sci-fi adventure, or a horror campaign, "Stars and Wishes" adapts to any TTRPG style to keep your sessions engaging and evolving.
Using Stars and Wishes for feedback on your D&D Game
How the Stars and Wishes Feedback System Works
What Are Stars?
Stars highlight the standout moments in your TTRPG session - the ones that made the experience enjoyable and memorable. These could be moments of outstanding roleplay, clever problem-solving, or story elements that really drew everyone in. When sharing stars, players and GMs should focus on specific actions or events that added to the session.
The key to effective stars is being detailed and genuine. Instead of saying something vague like "great session", call out a particular moment, like a player's quick thinking during a puzzle or a GM's gripping plot twist.
What Are Wishes?
Wishes turn feedback into constructive ideas for improvement. Instead of focusing on what didn’t work, wishes offer suggestions for how future sessions could be even better. These might include things like requests for more character backstory exploration or adjustments to the pace of combat.
The strength of wishes lies in their positive tone. By framing them as hopes rather than complaints, players can express their ideas without creating unnecessary tension. This approach encourages collaboration and makes it easier for the group to act on the feedback.
When and How to Use Stars and Wishes
The best time to use this system is right after a session, while everything is still fresh in everyone’s mind. A structured process, like the one used in The Gauntlet community [1], works well:
- Each person shares one specific positive moment.
- Participants suggest ideas for future sessions.
- The group has a short discussion to reflect on key points.
To get the most out of this system:
- Be clear about what worked well and why.
- Frame wishes as ideas or possibilities, not demands.
- Keep feedback short and to the point.
- Actively listen to everyone’s input.
This method helps maintain group cohesion and ensures feedback remains productive and respectful.
Steps to Implement Stars and Wishes
Setting Up for Feedback
Before diving into the feedback process, take a moment to explain how Stars and Wishes works. Highlight that Stars focus on specific positives, while Wishes offer constructive suggestions for improvement.
Lay down these ground rules to ensure feedback stays productive:
- Be specific and actionable in your comments.
- Focus on behaviors and events, avoiding personal criticism.
- Foster a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
- Listen attentively when others share their thoughts.
Collecting and Discussing Feedback
To make the feedback process smooth and effective, follow these steps:
1. Time Management
Set aside 10-15 minutes after the session for feedback. This ensures everyone has time to reflect and share.
2. Structured Sharing
Begin with Stars before moving to Wishes. Starting on a positive note helps create an encouraging atmosphere. During this time, each participant should share:
- One specific Star from the session.
- One concrete Wish for future sessions.
3. Documentation
The GM (Game Master) should jot down key points from the feedback. This helps track recurring themes over time, making it easier to identify patterns and areas for improvement.
Encouraging All to Participate
To make sure everyone feels included, use strategies like round-robin sharing and open-ended questions. Here are some tips to engage quieter participants:
- Take turns, giving everyone an opportunity to speak.
- Begin with more outgoing players to set the tone.
- Ask gentle follow-up questions to encourage deeper responses.
- Show appreciation by thanking participants for their input.
For hesitant players, try asking targeted questions such as:
- "What moment stood out to you tonight?"
- "Is there a scene you'd like to explore more?"
- "How did you feel about the pacing?"
These prompts help draw out insights and align with the system’s goal of fostering collaborative improvement.
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Advantages of Using Stars and Wishes
Boosting Player Satisfaction
Stars and Wishes brings a structured way to enhance player enjoyment by focusing on positive reinforcement. It allows players to contribute to the collaborative storytelling that’s at the heart of TTRPGs. By incorporating their feedback into future sessions, players feel more connected and invested, which naturally boosts engagement. This approach also supports the system’s main goal of fostering group harmony, as discussed in Why Use Stars and Wishes.
Improving Group Communication
This system provides a straightforward framework for participants to share their thoughts and ideas, making group communication more effective. Unlike standard feedback methods, Stars and Wishes encourages thoughtful and constructive discussions about the gaming experience.
Here’s how it helps:
- Encourages a focus on positives
- Promotes forward-thinking conversations
- Ensures balanced contributions from all players
- Provides clear, actionable suggestions
Providing Feedback for GMs
For GMs, Stars and Wishes serves as a powerful tool for improving storytelling and session planning. It offers clear insights into what players enjoyed and what could be adjusted to make future sessions even better.
"The GM is as much a player as the rest of the table, and we all share responsibility for the fun." - Burn After Running RPG [2]
This feedback supports GMs by:
- Helping refine pacing and story elements based on player reactions
- Highlighting game mechanics that might need tweaking
- Aligning mechanics with what players enjoy most
- Creating storylines that incorporate player wishes while building on successful elements
Using Stars and Wishes in Different TTRPG Styles
Adjusting the Format to Fit Your Game
Once you've got the basics down, you can tweak the Stars and Wishes system to better suit your game style and group preferences. For story-driven games, stars might highlight standout character moments or surprising plot twists. In combat-heavy campaigns, they could focus on clever strategies or intense battle scenes.
A popular variation is the "2 Stars & 1 Wish" approach. This keeps things upbeat while still providing room for constructive feedback. It’s especially helpful for newer groups or players who might find it tricky to give detailed feedback. These small adjustments help the system fit your group's vibe while keeping its core benefits intact.
Pairing with Other Feedback Tools
Stars and Wishes can work even better when combined with other tools to create a well-rounded feedback process:
| Feedback Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Stars and Wishes | Quick reactions after sessions |
| Session Surveys | Track trends over time |
| GM Feedback Forms | Deep dives at campaign milestones |
The trick is to stay consistent without overwhelming players with too much feedback.
Tailoring for Game Genres
The basic idea behind Stars and Wishes stays the same, but how you use it can vary depending on the genre of your game:
Fantasy Games:
- Stars: Celebrating rich worldbuilding and character development
- Wishes: Suggestions for pacing tweaks or more exploration
Science Fiction Settings:
- Stars: Highlighting cool tech ideas or engaging alien encounters
- Wishes: Requests for smoother mechanics or tighter world logic
Horror Campaigns:
- Stars: Praising the eerie atmosphere and well-built tension
- Wishes: Feedback on pacing or ways to keep the suspense high
These genre-specific tweaks show how focused feedback can improve the group's experience and keep everyone on the same page.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Key Points
The Stars and Wishes feedback system is a simple yet effective way to improve your TTRPG sessions. It strikes a balance between celebrating successes and addressing areas for improvement. To get the most out of it, pair these insights with the steps discussed earlier.
This system works well across various playstyles. Whether you’re hosting a weekly dungeon crawl or a monthly narrative campaign, it adjusts to fit your needs. As highlighted in previous examples, Game Masters have reported more engaging and focused gameplay sessions.
Finding More TTRPG Resources
While Stars and Wishes is a solid starting point for feedback, adding more tools to your TTRPG arsenal can elevate your gameplay further. Check out the TTRPG Games Directory for a variety of resources and systems that work well with this feedback method.
To put these ideas into action:
- Start small.
- Look for recurring themes.
- Gradually expand your approach.
Every session using Stars and Wishes strengthens communication and helps create a collaborative storytelling experience for everyone involved.
FAQs
What is the meaning of Stars and Wishes?
Stars and Wishes is a feedback tool used in TTRPGs (tabletop role-playing games) that emphasizes highlighting positive moments and offering forward-thinking suggestions. Its purpose is to create a supportive atmosphere where feedback encourages growth rather than focusing on criticism.
What are Stars and Wishes?
Stars and Wishes has two main parts:
| Component | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Stars | Memorable moments or aspects of the session that players enjoyed | Reinforces what worked well and boosts confidence |
| Wishes | Ideas for how future sessions could improve | Offers constructive suggestions for growth |
This system stands out for its straightforward and positive approach. Instead of dwelling on negatives, wishes turn potential critiques into opportunities for improvement. This method keeps the group focused, strengthens storytelling, and helps maintain enthusiasm throughout long campaigns [1][2].
For detailed instructions on using this tool, check out Steps to Implement Stars and Wishes.
