Learn Italian: Facciamo che io ero il pirata e tu eri il mio prigioniero. - Let's pretend I was the pirate and you were my prisoner.

This is a classic example of the imperfetto ludico (playful imperfect). It is used to set up imaginary scenarios, roleplays, or games. Even though it looks like the past tense, it is not describing the past; it is used to step out of reality and into a simulated world.

Doesn't facciamo che usually require the subjunctive?

In standard or formal Italian, expressing a hypothesis or suggestion with facciamo che (let's pretend/imagine that) would normally trigger the subjunctive, such as facciamo che io sia. However, the imperfetto ludico is a colloquial, informal structure that specifically overrides the subjunctive to create a playful, storytelling vibe.

Is facciamo che the standard way to say 'let's pretend'?

In everyday spoken Italian, facciamo che (literally 'let us make that') is the most natural and common way to set up a hypothetical situation or a game. You might also hear facciamo finta che or fingiamo che, but facciamo che pairs perfectly with the playful imperfect.

Why are the pronouns io and tu included here when Italian usually drops them?