It seems that around here, whenever someone is looking for RPG (or even general gaming) related suggestions or answers, they come to me. Sometimes it's when we meet, sometimes they email or call. I get called "the gamer dude", the "system guy" and all sorts of things.

I don't take pride in that. Anybody could do it, I'm just having fun playing lots of different games and I like trying all sorts of systems. But I do take joy in helping others and sharing what I know and what I think.

I don't think there's a week that goes by without me getting at least one question on the hobby. Many questions are about things that most here would take for granted. Such as:

-What is D20?
-What's the current D&D edition and what do I need to play?
-I want to run science-fiction, are there games for that?
-Have you ever played [insert game here]?
-Is there a [insert movie or IP]-based game?

Other questions are really interesting and a lot harder to answer. In those times I use google, the search function on RPG message boards or I just plain ask.

My generation didn't grow up with the internet. On top of that, a lot of people I know aren't comfortable enough with English to participate in forums. Plus it seems a lot of my friends are afraid to try new things by themselves. So I'm glad I can help.

I was wondering how many people here act as a sort of "gaming conduit" for their gamer friends? Or are your friends just as in touch with the hobby as you are?

For a long time, yes, it was me...but my fiiends are part of the wired generation, and we all keep up to some degree or another.  Since I'm a Domestic Worker (housewife) in addition to being a grad student, I spend more time posting in and reading forae than most of my friends.

I also have a lot of casual gamer friends and relatives who use me to connect them to games they might want to know about.

None of my players or friends do much looking up games, so when they have questions, I'm the one they talk to. My problem is tha while I have no problem articulating what I like and don't like, that can taint my recommendations to friends, who don't necessarily share my likes and dislikes. Thus I often hem and haw about anything non-factual about the game even if I really like it. I'm not a good reviewer...

-clash

Yep.  I've typically been "the roleplaying guy".  More often than not, I'm the "video game guy", though.

Yeah. I'm the only one of my group that regularly frequents gaming sites on the internet and the only one that reads forums, so with certain player-specific exceptions (J and L5R, A and V:tM), I'm generally the guy that knows more systems and more details than anybody else.

They call it "alpha geek" 'round these parts.

I'm usually one of these three ...depending which group of people I'm hanging around with at the time : 1) That Klingon Guy, 2)That GURPS GM guy , 3) That Movies knowledge/Trivia guy.


- E.W.C.

No.  I'm the local asshole everyone avoids.

Quote from: C.W.RichesonNo.  I'm the local asshole everyone avoids.

 Hey - but at least you're honest about that .
 Here - have a drink.


- Ed C.

Yes. I am that guy (have been for years).

I'm that guy, and I take a certain pride in it.  Every man has to be an expert on something.

Quote from: Bradford C. WalkerI'm that guy, and I take a certain pride in it.  Every man has to be an expert on something.

So I take it your friends say "network externalities" a lot...

Quote from: Consonant DudeSo I take it your friends say "network externalities" a lot...

Not at all, actually.  Part of the reason that I'm "that guy" is so they don't have to do the digging into this shit themselves.  I act as the bridge between my people and the games that they want to play, as well as--when I can--to other people that want to play them.  (Because, often, I don't.)  It's more like being a personal shopper than anything else.

I'm definately not the "Roleplaying Guy". Usually people really are amazed that I would involve myself with RPGs. Somehow I look more like the type that does sports in his spare time than RPGs.

Well, not that this comes up a lot, but it is funny how, when I check out a new RPG shop when I'm in a city I haven't visited before, people always assume I'm looking for directions, rather than for RPG books.

Quote from: ThranduilI'm definately not the "Roleplaying Guy". Usually people really are amazed that I would involve myself with RPGs. Somehow I look more like the type that does sports in his spare time than RPGs.

Well, not that this comes up a lot, but it is funny how, when I check out a new RPG shop when I'm in a city I haven't visited before, people always assume I'm looking for directions, rather than for RPG books.

I am also so awesomely hawt & cool looking that no one would ever think I'm a gamer.

I'm so old and feeble looking that people assume I'm the gardiner,

-clash