%% date:: [[2023-03-12]], [[2023-07-03]] parent:: [[Tabletop Roleplaying Games|TTRPGs]] %% # [[Knife theory]] Knife theory states that a story is more enjoyable if the main characters have "knives", or strong ties to the story that raise the stakes for them. [^gmbinder] In [[Tabletop Roleplaying Games]], knife theory can be applied by [[Being a Game Master|Game Masters]] to ensure that all player characters are engaged and involved with the overarching story. To do this, GMs can ask for characters to weave knives into their backstories, adding people, events, and motivations that the GM can use to create a satisfying story later. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_ja0_ZI2y10" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> [^gmbinder]: @jimbaby. (2018). *My friends and I have something called "Knife Theory".* Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/775caq/my_friends_and_i_have_something_called_knife/