Stars & Wishes works by at the end of the sessions all players (and GM) give people (or things) that happened in the games STARS (As in, "I loved that!). Then they state WISHES (Things which they want to see more of.)— Kieron Gillen (@kierongillen) June 1, 2020
Let's talk Stars first.
Stars are useful by themselves, because it's just a bonding exercise. It lets people feel that they were seen playing, by their peers.— Kieron Gillen (@kierongillen) June 1, 2020
It reminds you of the good things and that it was nice to be together. It also encourages behaviours the groups wants to see more of.
That Stars come before wishes means that the Wishes (which tend to be about things which weren't fulfilled) are softened. We're all reminded what there's a bunch of cool stuff, which is why we're all getting together.— Kieron Gillen (@kierongillen) June 1, 2020
Wishes take many forms. They are ways to express both what a player is excited about in a session and also what a player would like to do in the future.— Kieron Gillen (@kierongillen) June 1, 2020
However, Wishes are the gentlest way of issuing complaints, or growing tensions.— Kieron Gillen (@kierongillen) June 1, 2020
"This session was so much fighting - I'd love to do something a little more conversational, or investigatory."
"I've got this new ability and I'd love to have a chance to use it."
RPGs tend to be about ritual, so having a gentle standardized bit of ritual is a lovely way to end the game, and tends to leave energy high - even while containing actual useful feedback to each other.— Kieron Gillen (@kierongillen) June 1, 2020
If you haven't, give it shot. I think you'll find it useful.