pretendie

Pretendie is a term used to describe a form of collaborative imaginative play in which participants adopt fictional identities, settings, and narratives within a structured framework. It emphasizes improvisation, shared world-building, and consent-driven storytelling, and can take place in person or in online spaces such as forums, chat apps, or video platforms.

Etymology and history: Pretendie is a neologism formed from pretend and the diminutive suffix -ie. The word began appearing in online role-playing communities and educational blogs in the 2010s as a label for a gentle, family-friendly variant of role-play. There is no single governing authority or canonical version.

Practice and formats: Sessions typically establish a premise, a cast of roles, and a set of safety guidelines. Participants contribute character ideas, objects, and locations, and stories unfold through cooperative turns. Formats vary from prompts or scenario cards to open-ended, free-form play. Many implementations emphasize accessibility, with clear consent, an option to pause, and inclusive language.

Origins and uses: Pretendie is used in classrooms and libraries for storytelling and social-emotional learning, as well as in family settings and youth programs. In online communities, it supports micro-narratives and collaborative world-building. Proponents credit it with practicing communication, empathy, and creativity in low-risk environments.

Reception: The concept is generally viewed as a constructive form of imaginative play, though some critics caution about blurred boundaries between fiction and reality for certain participants. Community guidelines and moderator oversight are commonly recommended to maintain safety and inclusivity.

See also: Role-playing, improvisation, narrative therapy, child development, live-action role-playing.