To play a game of consequences, write sentences collaboratively, each player adding a part without knowing the previous contribution, leading to a funny and often nonsensical story.
Ever pondered what should you do a game of consequences? It’s a fantastic way to spark creativity and laughter with friends. The simple premise of adding to a sentence without knowing the other parts creates hilarious and unexpected results.
This game involves writing sentences in turns, usually on a piece of paper, folding the paper to hide the previous part after each turn. The surprise element is what makes it so enjoyable. Get ready for some silly storytelling!
What Should You Do in a Game of Consequences?
Okay, so you’ve got a game of Consequences lined up, and maybe you’re scratching your head wondering what to actually do during it. It’s not just about randomly throwing words onto a paper! It’s a collaborative storytelling game that can get hilarious, weird, and sometimes surprisingly creative. The fun part comes from how everyone adds their bit, not knowing what came before or what will follow. Let’s break down how you can really make the most of your game of Consequences.
Understanding the Basic Gameplay
Before diving into specific actions, let’s make sure we all get the basic structure. Think of it like a mini-story assembly line. Each player contributes a specific element, passing the paper along, and by the end, you have a complete (and often silly) narrative. Here’s the common way it works:
- The Setup: Everyone has a piece of paper, and writes something at the top, folding the paper over so their writing is hidden.
- The Pass: After each turn, you pass the paper to the next person (usually to your left, but any order can work).
- The Reveal: Once the final step is done, unfold the paper and read out the story. Get ready for laughter!
The usual sequence of questions is:
- A person (or character)
- Where did they meet this person or character?
- What did the first person say to the second person?
- What did the second person say back?
- What did the first person do?
- What did the second person do?
- What was the consequence?
- What happened at last?
Remember, you can change the categories to make the game even more interesting. We’ll talk about some variations later, but for now, understanding this basic sequence is key.
Selecting Your Characters: The Heart of the Story
The very first step is to pick the main characters. Don’t just write the first name that pops into your head. Give it some thought and go big! Think about the people (or things) you are picking, it is a main part of a story.
Tips for Choosing Great Characters
- Go Wild with Variety: Don’t just stick to people. How about a talking dog, a grumpy cloud, or a dancing cactus? The more unexpected, the better!
- Think About Contrasts: Pair up characters that are polar opposites for added fun. A neat and tidy librarian with a messy monster.
- Use Real People (With Caution): You can use the names of friends, family, or even celebrities, but keep it light and avoid anything that might be genuinely hurtful or embarrassing.
- Add Details: Don’t just write “a boy.” Write “a boy wearing mismatched socks and a superhero cape.” Details add flavor to the story.
A character named “Brenda” is okay, but “Brenda, the squirrel detective” is way more fun! The characters are a crucial part because the other player will pick their actions and this will affect the outcome of the story.
Where Do They Meet? Setting the Stage
Next up, you need to decide where these amazing characters will bump into each other. The setting is like the backdrop of a play. It can greatly impact the tone and potential for silliness.
Brainstorming Fantastic Locations
- Everyday Places Gone Wild: A grocery store? Sure! But make it a grocery store that sells only candy and rubber chickens.
- Historical Hijinks: A medieval castle, the Wild West, or even an ancient Egyptian tomb. Time travel can add a cool element!
- Fictional Worlds: The Land of Rainbow Gummy Bears, a spaceship hurtling through a nebula, or a giant’s garden. Let your imagination roam free.
- The More Specific, the Better: Don’t just write “a park.” Write “a park bench covered in glitter under a singing willow tree.” Details make it vivid.
Location is the second most important things for the story, you can always use a location where characters can do fun actions.
What Did They Say?: Adding Dialogue
Now it’s time to give your characters a voice. This is where the interactions really start to take shape. It’s not just what they say, but how they say it that adds another layer to the story. Think of each line as a piece of conversation. Let’s see how we can do them.
Making the Dialogue Pop
- Think About Tone: Is your character sarcastic, sweet, grumpy, or over-the-top dramatic? Let that tone show in their dialogue.
- Use Quotes for Emphasis: Write “I am going to get you” or “Please don’t do that” to create more impact on dialogue
- Keep It Short and Punchy: You don’t need a novel. A single, well-chosen sentence can have a lot of impact.
- Add Some Whimsy: Instead of “Hello,” try “Greetings, mortal!” Or “Do you have any spare pickles?”
The words they speak can twist the story or give an idea of the character to another player.
What Did They Do?: The Action Sequence
Here’s where your characters get to act out. What are they doing? Are they fighting a dragon, having a tea party, or making a mess with spaghetti? The action is like the plot of your story that can get the reader hooked to it.
Creating Memorable Actions
- Think About Your Character: What would your character do? A superhero might fly into action, while a sneaky fox might hide behind a tree.
- Make It Unexpected: Instead of “walked away,” try “did a moonwalk towards a giant banana peel.” The more unusual, the better.
- Use Action Words: Instead of “The cat went,” try “The cat leaped, pounced, and danced a jig.” Action words make things more interesting.
- Set the Scene: Describe not only what they do, but also how they do it. “He clumsily dropped his ice cream cone on the squirrel while trying to juggle.”
The actions create the scene in your game of consequences, so always use creative and silly actions. You can make your actions funny or serious; that depends on what type of game you are playing.
What Was the Consequence?: The Turning Point
Every action has a reaction, and in Consequences, that’s the “consequence.” This is the part that can really take the story in a wildly unexpected direction. Let’s think of these.
Crafting Hilarious Consequences
- Make It Logical (or Not): The consequence can flow naturally from the previous action, or it can be completely random and ridiculous. Both work well!
- Think Big: Instead of “They felt sad,” try “They were suddenly turned into a flock of rubber ducks.”
- Use Creative Descriptions: Instead of “They got wet,” try “They were drenched in a sudden shower of lemonade and glitter.”
- Add Emotional Impact: Maybe the consequence isn’t just physical. It could be emotional. “They felt the overwhelming urge to sing opera in the library.”
The consequences will dictate the end of your story. So make sure you make them fun and engaging. A perfect consequence will end your story on a high note.
What Happened at Last?: The Grand Finale
The final step in Consequences is how it all ends. This is your opportunity to write a satisfying, funny, or completely bewildering conclusion to your collaborative story. This also gives the ending to your stories and how they finished.
Writing a Memorable Ending
- Go for the Unexpected: Don’t just end with “They lived happily ever after.” Twist things up. Maybe “They all became friends…and opened a pickle museum.”
- Tie Back to the Story: If possible, refer back to earlier elements. If the story started with a talking dog, maybe the ending involves the dog becoming mayor.
- Leave It Open-Ended: You can also make your ending a question or cliffhanger. “And they never saw the magical cat again…or did they?”
- Make it funny: the end of the story should always be funny or satisfying, use a silly ending to make the reader laugh or a good one to make them feel good about the story.
The end is the most important part of the game and you should always make it your best ending. Try to relate your ending with previous segments of the story.
Playing with Different Variations
The basic Consequences game is great, but you can spice things up with some variations! Don’t be afraid to get creative with the rules. After all, the best part of the game is trying out new ideas.
Ideas for Twisting the Rules
- Character Traits: Instead of just a character name, ask for a character and a defining trait. For example, “A clumsy wizard” or “A very loud robot.”
- Object Focus: Add an extra step where you describe an object that plays a role in the story. It can be a magical sword, a talking hat, or just a very important rubber duck.
- Emotional State: Include a category like, “How did the character feel when they said that?” This adds a layer of emotional depth.
- Genre Twist: Decide on a genre for the story and let players contribute based on that genre. (e.g., fantasy, sci-fi, romance).
- Collaborative Sentences: Instead of one person writing a sentence, have everyone contribute a word or phrase to the next action or dialogue.
Always try a new version or variations each time, so that you don’t get bored by the game. You can experiment with the sequence or by adding something extra. The more you experiment, the better the game will be.
Tips for Making it Fun for Everyone
Consequences is meant to be fun for all players. It’s not about competition, but about enjoying the creative chaos together. Here are some tips to make it an even better experience.
Ensuring a Great Time
- Be Inclusive: Make sure everyone gets a chance to contribute. Don’t dominate the game with your ideas. Let everyone share their imagination.
- Embrace the Silliness: Don’t be afraid to write something crazy! The more silly your idea, the better the story will be.
- Encourage Laughter: This is a game for laughs! Celebrate every weird twist and turn the story takes.
- No Judgment: This isn’t a writing competition. There are no bad ideas, and everyone’s contribution is valuable.
- Vary the Age Groups: You can adapt the complexity of the story elements based on the group’s age. With younger kids, you might use simpler prompts and actions.
Remember, the best games are the ones where everyone feels included and comfortable being silly. The most fun comes from working together to make a crazy story.
When Things Go Wrong: Handling Mistakes
Sometimes, things might not go according to plan. Maybe someone misunderstands a prompt, writes out of turn, or spills their juice on the story. Here’s how to deal with it gracefully.
Dealing with Mishaps
- Take a Deep Breath: It’s just a game! Don’t make a big deal out of small mistakes.
- Go with the Flow: If someone writes something that doesn’t quite fit, find a way to incorporate it. Sometimes, the mistakes are the funniest part.
- Don’t Correct Every Detail: If the story still makes sense, even with a minor error, let it go. It adds to the unique character of the game.
- Use It as Inspiration: If someone makes a funny mistake, build on it! Turn that mistake into a new funny point in the game.
- Start Again: If the game goes completely off the rails, it’s okay to just start over. You can always use the silly story as a warm-up.
The goal is to enjoy the process, not to achieve perfection. If you stumble, just laugh it off and keep going.
Playing Consequences is all about being imaginative, silly, and spontaneous. It’s a game that can lead to some of the most hilarious and memorable moments with friends and family. By following these tips, you’ll make sure that you and your group have a fun time. Remember to have fun, embrace the chaos, and let your creativity fly. Have an amazing time playing your game of consequences!
Games where your decisions have consequences (part 3)
Final Thoughts
So, what should you do a game of consequences? First, gather a group and grab some paper. Each player writes a line of a story, keeping it secret until the end. Players pass the paper along, following a specific order.
Don’t be afraid to get creative and silly with your prompts. Embrace unexpected turns and enjoy the collaborative aspect of the game. What should you do a game of consequences? You must have fun and allow for some great laughs.



