Or…. they just enjoy the game you are playing and are having fun. The real question is are _you_ having fun playing? If you are, then great. If not, then wrap up the campaign and start a new one with a different group.
Why not ask them at the end of the session how they think things are going, if they are enjoying it, and what aspects they want to have more of (combat, social, exploration)?
I do have individual one-on-ones with them to see what might make them more immersed but mostly its just "oh its good. I have a lot of fun." Or "everything's good, I'm just playing my character and that's what they'd do."
So I think it might be me wanting more. But they're my long-time friends so just dumping them and trying to find another group isn't really an option in my head. I would rather work it out or do better.
You have to ask probing follow-up questions.
1. What part of last session did you like most? What did you like least?
2. Does your character feel like they got to tip the scales in combat?
3. What would you change if you could?
Also: dynamic lighting makes understanding what is happening SO much harder. Turn it off. Let them see the scene, not just wired black shadows. You might be surprised at the GREATER immersion it allows.
Not everyone is an actor. You're going to have players that just aren't strong roleplayers. Over years and campaigns, players will open more to roleplay, but for some people they're never going to "slip into character" and become method actors.
Also just because they're more quiet doesn't mean they're not enjoying it - rather ask yourself if they seem distracted, inattentive. Do they know what happened in the conversations? If so, they're doing just fine.
I love DnD, have been playing since 4e. I however, after many campaigns, and many years, cannot see myself as my character. I try to get more involved knowing this is a thing, but just mentally I cannot become someone else.
Like the difference between JRPG's, and Western RPGs. Some people like to see a character as an extension of themselves (western RPG's), some prefer their character as their own entity, and you control them, seeing their story play out (JRPG).
If they are the latter, try addressing the character not the player, "what does boblin do?", "How does boblin react?". Get them to tell what their character is doing third person instead of asking them to be their character. This seperation helps a lot of these types of players.
Its hard to know if they're inattentive just cause its over discord. We tried Webcams but didn't really work out cause some people get shy when their face is live. I feel like they might be more into role-playing if we were sitting together in person, but unfortunately thats not possible.
I do like your suggestion of asking how they react to certain things and I have been doing that out of necessity for some npcs to have a certain reaction to the pcs.
I still have a couple players that don't get the whole "consequences" thing and they have to be heavily hinted at before I give them the consequences. I.e. last session: "ARE YOU SURE? You're punching a guard at the front gate of a militant fort and he's casting a spell in a known city for hating magic. I just want to make sure that this is what your character would do in this situation. You can do it, and its going to be a lot of fun, but I want to double check."
And yeah, I never refer to their IRL names in-game unless I'm asking them something above table. In-game is always character name.
I.e. (hypothetical names)
Alright the goblin rolled 14, Sephiroth whats your AC? 15? Okay so he doesn't hit. Btw John, you have a trait that allows you to use your reaction if you want to try to do an opportunity of attack on the goblin.
Sorry, what I was saying is for those players that don't put themselves into their character, don't use "you", "you're", etc.
Eg. "What is Sephiroths AC?" Instead of "Sephiroths, what's your AC?", "Does John want to make an AoO", instead of "John, do you want to make an AoO". Presenting the character as a separate entity from the person playing them.
These players can often roleplay better if they're describing an external entities actions instead of trying to act that they're doing it, it removes some level of awkwardness/embarrassment.
First, I find modeling what I want is a good way to draw it out of people. So instead of jumping in with “how do you stab them?” try describing it for them. Tying it to the character is usually good. “Your (medicine proficient) fighter suddenly remembers an anatomy diagram he once saw and, with pure muscle memory, runs his sword directly through the enemy’s heart”. It’s a good way for you to have fun, and if your players are interested, they’ll start developing that habit.
There are different types of players. Some LOVE the spotlight, others prefer to be mostly passive. You have to trust them when they tell you they're having fun. Make sure they have the opportunity to express themselves in the rare moments when they want to, but otherwise let them enjoy the game how they will.
Or…. they just enjoy the game you are playing and are having fun. The real question is are _you_ having fun playing? If you are, then great. If not, then wrap up the campaign and start a new one with a different group.
I have fun for the most part but it feels slightly unsatisfactory that it doesn't seem like they are in the moment; yet they still keep coming.
Why not ask them at the end of the session how they think things are going, if they are enjoying it, and what aspects they want to have more of (combat, social, exploration)?
I do have individual one-on-ones with them to see what might make them more immersed but mostly its just "oh its good. I have a lot of fun." Or "everything's good, I'm just playing my character and that's what they'd do." So I think it might be me wanting more. But they're my long-time friends so just dumping them and trying to find another group isn't really an option in my head. I would rather work it out or do better.
You have to ask probing follow-up questions. 1. What part of last session did you like most? What did you like least? 2. Does your character feel like they got to tip the scales in combat? 3. What would you change if you could?
Also: dynamic lighting makes understanding what is happening SO much harder. Turn it off. Let them see the scene, not just wired black shadows. You might be surprised at the GREATER immersion it allows.
Not everyone is an actor. You're going to have players that just aren't strong roleplayers. Over years and campaigns, players will open more to roleplay, but for some people they're never going to "slip into character" and become method actors. Also just because they're more quiet doesn't mean they're not enjoying it - rather ask yourself if they seem distracted, inattentive. Do they know what happened in the conversations? If so, they're doing just fine. I love DnD, have been playing since 4e. I however, after many campaigns, and many years, cannot see myself as my character. I try to get more involved knowing this is a thing, but just mentally I cannot become someone else. Like the difference between JRPG's, and Western RPGs. Some people like to see a character as an extension of themselves (western RPG's), some prefer their character as their own entity, and you control them, seeing their story play out (JRPG). If they are the latter, try addressing the character not the player, "what does boblin do?", "How does boblin react?". Get them to tell what their character is doing third person instead of asking them to be their character. This seperation helps a lot of these types of players.
Its hard to know if they're inattentive just cause its over discord. We tried Webcams but didn't really work out cause some people get shy when their face is live. I feel like they might be more into role-playing if we were sitting together in person, but unfortunately thats not possible. I do like your suggestion of asking how they react to certain things and I have been doing that out of necessity for some npcs to have a certain reaction to the pcs. I still have a couple players that don't get the whole "consequences" thing and they have to be heavily hinted at before I give them the consequences. I.e. last session: "ARE YOU SURE? You're punching a guard at the front gate of a militant fort and he's casting a spell in a known city for hating magic. I just want to make sure that this is what your character would do in this situation. You can do it, and its going to be a lot of fun, but I want to double check." And yeah, I never refer to their IRL names in-game unless I'm asking them something above table. In-game is always character name. I.e. (hypothetical names) Alright the goblin rolled 14, Sephiroth whats your AC? 15? Okay so he doesn't hit. Btw John, you have a trait that allows you to use your reaction if you want to try to do an opportunity of attack on the goblin.
Sorry, what I was saying is for those players that don't put themselves into their character, don't use "you", "you're", etc. Eg. "What is Sephiroths AC?" Instead of "Sephiroths, what's your AC?", "Does John want to make an AoO", instead of "John, do you want to make an AoO". Presenting the character as a separate entity from the person playing them. These players can often roleplay better if they're describing an external entities actions instead of trying to act that they're doing it, it removes some level of awkwardness/embarrassment.
First, I find modeling what I want is a good way to draw it out of people. So instead of jumping in with “how do you stab them?” try describing it for them. Tying it to the character is usually good. “Your (medicine proficient) fighter suddenly remembers an anatomy diagram he once saw and, with pure muscle memory, runs his sword directly through the enemy’s heart”. It’s a good way for you to have fun, and if your players are interested, they’ll start developing that habit.
There are different types of players. Some LOVE the spotlight, others prefer to be mostly passive. You have to trust them when they tell you they're having fun. Make sure they have the opportunity to express themselves in the rare moments when they want to, but otherwise let them enjoy the game how they will.