Posted this over on RPGnet but wanted to see the responses here as well:
I was wondering, what are your personal expectations of your players, in general, for you to be able to run a game?
I'll try to articulate with an example. For me, I don't want "lazy" players. I don't mean players who are relaxed or have busy work lives and can't do a lot of prep for things. That can be fine. I mean players who just want to show up to a game, roll some dice, and leave, without doing anything for it.
So, if I give some pre-campaign blurb, I expect that it'll eventually be read in some part. This, really, is to save me from info dumping all the time during the game, and to make character generation easier. I also like to do the occasional email with a question like "So, what do you think you might do for the next session?" or "Hmm, seems we're heading towards a war between factions: is that what's happening?" I actually expect answers to such things. If I set a pre-campaign world building and character making session, well, I want you there AND contributing.
This isn't to say people are "bad" gamers for not doing the things I want. I have, however, noticed that I, as GM, have more fun when players have at least some rudimentary grasp of a setting, and when they give me their ideas about what's going on in a game, not just at the table, but when they've been away from it for a while too. I like to hear things like "Yeah, I know my guy wasn't so useful this session, but I think soon he'll be the lynchpin for the next session!" Or whatever. It makes me feel a LOT better about how I run.
It's already driven one guy, I think permanently, from the group. He at least bowed out of the current campaign when he admitted he hadn't read anything or even the one or two emails that I'd sent (at his request!) explaining the game. I'm not planning to run any other games that DON'T require this, so I expect, he won't be really attending anything anytime soon.
Now, I know others will have different "rules." I guess what I want to ask here, really, is, under what circumstances from players will you take on the onus of running a game? What I wrote above are the circumstances for me. I had one entire group ho wouldn't do it, so I dropped them and started another, and that took a while to wring into shape, but I've done it, and I'm a LOT happier now.
You?
I don't set any expectations around playstyles - some people become heavily invested in character, others mechanics, there are a few who like digging around an imaginary world whilst others just want to blow off steam for a few hours and not think about the game till next time. I can accomodate all those and more in my campaigns.
The only rules I ask to be respected are behavioural. My fiance and I host and ask that people show tolerance for the dogs who wander in and out sniffing for snacks, not be abusive or threatening to anyone and not bring alcohol or drugs to the game. Thus far everyone's been cool with that and we've had a lot of fun.
I only run games for people I would sit down and have a few beers with. I will not take someone who repulses me just to get a game going.
Beyond that, I expect everyone in the group to contribute to the campaign by being an active player, both by turning up fairly regularly (although this is not a strict thing) and getting engaged with the action. Some folks are more passive than others, and I am okay with that, but someone who doesn't do anything on his or her own accord should probably find something else to do. Also, someone joining the game should be generally compatible with the playstyle. If you don't like heavily exploration-based, open-ended D&Desque games, I am probably not the GM for you.
In the last few years, I have been blessed with a very good group, so these problems don't really turn up very often - there are minor hiccups, like in everything human-related, but we can fix those via communication.
I'm easy. Don't get me wrong, there are any number of unpleasant and dysfunctional people I would not want to associate with for gaming or any other social situation. But when it comes to gaming specific stuff, lazy is fine.
Then again I tend to run very accessible games. I figure if the rules are so complicated a body can't pick it up in play after a session or two it's probably not the sort of game I want to run anyway.
Same goes for background fluff. I certainly see the attraction of a setting with deep lore and unique cultures but frankly I'm a lot more interesting in what the player characters are doing now than what happened to some NPC 200 years ago.
I am a pretty laid back GM and try to adapt my style to the group.
Quote from: Numa Pompilius;480731I was wondering, what are your personal expectations of your players, in general, for you to be able to run a game?
Regular attendance (though I'm not too exigent on that, as we play as long as we have 50+% of players), good behavior to everyone and basic politeness, willingness to have fun and be fun. Not much more. i'm not exigent regarding immersion, first person acting or other things. Ah, everyone brings drinks and snacks because I already do a lot of work and also I host the game at my place.
QuoteI also like to do the occasional email with a question like "So, what do you think you might do for the next session?" or "Hmm, seems we're heading towards a war between factions: is that what's happening?" I actually expect answers to such things. If I set a pre-campaign world building and character making session, well, I want you there AND contributing.
Yeah, even a short answer is good enough for me.
Quote from: Numa Pompilius;480731I'll try to articulate with an example. For me, I don't want "lazy" players. I don't mean players who are relaxed or have busy work lives and can't do a lot of prep for things.
Minimally I expect the players/DM to show up and actually pay attention during the game session.
But over the years I've had the misfortune of playing rpg games with many really flaky players whom hardly showed up at all, and/or spent most of the game session playing video games, chatting constantly on their cell phone, netsurfing, playing guitar (without an amp), reading something else, etc ....
Quote from: Numa Pompilius;480731So, if I give some pre-campaign blurb, I expect that it'll eventually be read in some part.
In my experience, many players I've gamed with will rarely ever read extra stuff given to them. Even if I loaned them an rpg setting book to read, they will rarely ever read it.
When it's my turn to DM for the club. Which is roughly every 8 months, but I claim more sessions a year than any of our other DM's.
Since we don't have to worry about rotating members ('cept every few years or so) it's a non-question for me.
You guys rag on me for having such a closed mind as far as gaming goes, but when I read about your troubles gaming with random people, or it being a question of whether or not your players are "lazy", "bad" or just plain "hostile" - the more and more I'm happier with all the club's decisions no matter how much you guys rag on me on this forum.
What conditions? I want to have a good time with those particular people. The rest is just dressing.
Stuff like:
QuoteRegular attendance (though I'm not too exigent on that, as we play as long as we have 50+% of players), good behavior to everyone and basic politeness, willingness to have fun and be fun. Not much more. i'm not exigent regarding immersion, first person acting or other things. Ah, everyone brings drinks and snacks because I already do a lot of work and also I host the game at my place.
That sounds reasonable to me. What I'd expect of any endeavor, a party, a dinner together, etc I'll expect from the time we spend together playing a role playing game. Phone if you don't show up. Try to follow what's going on. You know, basic respect and politeness stuff.
If it's a Thursday and you have signed up on my sign-up sheet, I am DMing.
Sign up sheet: http://warhorn.net/GamesAndStuffLFR/schedule/month.php
(Mine are the Planescape games)
Other than that, if I invite you to a special game of some kind, then I guess I am also DMing.
That we all agree on the goals and style of play or are at least aware of the majority of attitudes and agree not to disrupt play because the overarching style doesn't mesh. Best not to play at all in this case but sometimes it can work especialy with the quiet type that just likes to roll the bones occasionaly.
Maturity... ie., attentive play (no other attention draining devices at the table), no snarcky out of game cross table chatter (the second doctor was the best by far dude), read any background material ( I promise to keep it short and relevent!), know your character, at least a smidgen of system knowledge (this is a d.20...this is a d.10).
What system one uses will play into this as well so best to talk to all concerned before making any decisions.
All of this is best laid out before play even begins. The more selective you can be regarding who is in the group and the clarity of play goals, the more focused and satisfying the experience may be for all.
Start from an embryonic state and build accordingly.
Settling for less than the best will reap like results. :p
Mine are:
- Turn up ready to play.
- Bring some snacks and drinks (though I provide some myself).
- Have a good game.
- Go home safely.
You know, I think of myself as so open minded.
But I am so friggin' uptight and particular in this one thing. I run only my ruleset, only my setting, I insist on Sunday night play, we cook dinner for one and all, then drink wine and play until about midinght.
I screen players carefully, I have removed 3 players from the game in the last 4 years alone, the kill ratio is getting legendary, and I have a 3 year old.
Yet one group is in year 16, the other in year 9. And the second one, which is larger, has a waiting list.
In the case of the DM, I expect them to show up unless they tell everyone they can't make it and cancel the session. Though this does not always happen especially when the DM is also a total flake.
In my previous 4E Encounters game, the DM didn't show up quite a few times.
In a very short lived Pathfinder game I played in, the DM stopped showing up one day without notice. The last time I ran into this particular DM in person (quite recently), he would not explain why he abruptly stopped showing up.
I play with friends, but I have a few basic rules.
1) Show up regularly when games are planned.
2) You play heroes. They can be scoundrels like Han Solo, but the end of the day they're people who will help and risk their lives to help others. If you want to play a villainous game, find someone else to GM.*
3) Keep the distractions to a minimum.
4) Give me feedback. I can't run a good game unless I know what direction you want to take it.
5) As a player you get lots of input, You can vote on several campaigns and systems I'm ready to use at a given time, but I draw up the list based on campaign ideas I am ready and willing to run. If I am not interested in a game or have no ideas for a game I won't be running it at this time.
Addendum: If you say a "kid" (usually my nephew or niece) can't play in the "adult" game. Then don't expect to get to play in their games. That's simple fairness.
In return I promise to show up every time. Barring reasons beyond my control. (Health issues, holidays that impede gaming, a few necessary breaks for things my family needs done.) I will let you all know at the soonest opportunity.
I promise to make it exciting and fun, and am willing to correct mistakes I make, I also promise to not arbitrarily undo important things to your characters you've worked hard to obtain.
I promise to stick to a single game, with only occasional "breaks" for other games to let my brain rest from that campaign. Example: I am running Atomic Highway, sometimes I need to try say D&D Cyclopedia for a session or two--that is not ending the Atomic Highway game. Merely taking a temporary break. These breaks will never be extensive until an important arc of the campaign or the entire campaign ends.
*I do sometimes have ideas for villainous games--albeit lately I've mostly wanted to run or play in Necessary Evil. That's a bit of a different context.
Nothing pisses me off more than somebody sitting at the game table with their mobile on the table right there next to their dice. I can't get into the mindset of the kind of person who would do that. It's rude to the other players, rude to the DM, and totally distracting.
I won't game with shitheads, but I'm pretty relaxed beyond that. I currently game with three different groups, and each one differs drastically in tone and mood around the table.
Quote from: Numa Pompilius;480731I also like to do the occasional email with a question like "So, what do you think you might do for the next session?" or "Hmm, seems we're heading towards a war between factions: is that what's happening?" I actually expect answers to such things.
My quasi-regular group used wikis for this for a many campaigns, but it usually devolved into me and one other dude posting stuff and no one else knowing what the eff we were talking about on game night.
Not everyone gets into "playing the game" outside of game time. It used to make me bummed out, but I embraced the idea that nothing happens except what happens at the table. It saves frustration on the parts of both sets of people.
The big one for me is play to the premise. I do not prep a game to have one player spoil the fun for me and all the other player because one self-centered attention whore intentionally does something to drag the game to a halt. Excuses "I'm just playing my character" notwithstanding.
Quote from: BWA;480958My quasi-regular group used wikis for this for a many campaigns, but it usually devolved into me and one other dude posting stuff and no one else knowing what the eff we were talking about on game night.
Not everyone gets into "playing the game" outside of game time. It used to make me bummed out, but I embraced the idea that nothing happens except what happens at the table. It saves frustration on the parts of both sets of people.
Some of my folk post on the wiki, most do read it. All of our spells and rulesmare there, bur still, once in a while...
I'm an amateur GM that runs a game down at the FLGS and I have a few rules/ guidlines to keep things going.
1. No electronics at the table
2. Show up regularly
3. Have a problem? Talk to me!
4. Fresh clothes and good hygiene or no game for you today
5. Minimize the non game related chatter
6. I can't try to run the game intoxicated or hungover
Other than that a rough page of notes and maybe a few extras and I am good to go.
Quote from: Silverlion;480920*snip*
4) Give me feedback. I can't run a good game unless I know what direction you want to take it.
.
Nice
Feedback is a vital part of the loop.
:)
Quote from: Badlands;480991I'm an amateur GM that runs a game down at the FLGS and I have a few rules/ guidlines to keep things going.
1. No electronics at the table
2. Show up regularly
3. Have a problem? Talk to me!
4. Fresh clothes and good hygiene or no game for you today
5. Minimize the non game related chatter
6. I can't try to run the game intoxicated or hungover
Other than that a rough page of notes and maybe a few extras and I am good to go.
Welcome! Great sumation here...regarding #4, how exactly do you implement this at the table?
Quote from: skofflox;481002Welcome! Great sumation here...regarding #4, how exactly do you implement this at the table?
I think the idea to being denied a chance to have fun for being smelly and unkempt is rather embarrassing but thankfully I haven't kicked anybody off the table yet for that rule. Generally I give the player an inconspicuous look over and if I notice a stench, then they would be gone. Of course players can rat eachother out. Anyway we do play in an enviroment were we share space with other people trying to play other games.
Edit: Hello to you to skofflox.
Quote from: Benoist;480776That sounds reasonable to me. What I'd expect of any endeavor, a party, a dinner together, etc I'll expect from the time we spend together playing a role playing game. Phone if you don't show up. Try to follow what's going on. You know, basic respect and politeness stuff.
Yeah. I'm 35, and the youngest of my players is 21. We're all working people, some are going to college and working at the same time, and we're living adult lives. No kids, but that will change soon, I guess. So gaming is a luxury, given how precious free time can get to be. And as a luxury, is there to enjoy it, which only needs basic politeness and respect.
I love feedback from the players, but I don't get too exigent about it. Some people loves to talk about the game and others are happy with just showing up and playing. I'm cool either way. We have set up a blog and a mailing list: in the blog we post APs, and sometimes a player writes a short piece detailing something relevant to his / her PC, but mostly it's me, as I use the blog as a mean to keep a record visible to everyone of what happens, to introduce some bit of the setting and all that. Some players write frequently, others never do it.
In the RQ 3 GM screen there was a fantastic booklet (The Rune Lord is its title), that has some of the best GMing advice I've seen. One of the things that stuck with me was : "Gaming should be a pleasant routine, and not a burdensome obligation", or something like that. I took that advice to heart: so, I only request from you the very basics on attendance, respect to your colleagues at the table, and general politeness.
It helps that I only game with friends, and if we're not friends, we'll end up being friends :)
Quote from: BWA;480958Not everyone gets into "playing the game" outside of game time. It used to make me bummed out, but I embraced the idea that nothing happens except what happens at the table. It saves frustration on the parts of both sets of people.
Oh, I know; nothing "happens" for the game except what happens when we're at the table. However, every now and then, I DO want to know what ideas people have, just so I can prepare a little. I enjoy doing that and like to be able to do so.
But I DO expect answers, even in the "No idea, haven't thought about it" category. That's useful to know too, after all.
I'm a pretty simple guy. As long as a player is enthusiastic about the game, plays well with others, I'm good to go.
Regards,
David R
Quote from: skofflox;481001Nice
Feedback is a vital part of the loop.
:)
good lord, yes.
If there are players who are people I like, I'll run a game.
Okay my sort of requirements or preferences/questions:
Does the room or game's play space have a roof?
Is there a medium to good sized table & chairs for the group? (That means at least 5 chairs - 1 GM & 4 players, room on table for characters sheets, beverage for each player, map in middle of table, dice-rolling space, and of course room for the GM screen & GM's notes)
Does Everybody is friendly or good-0natured and has a sense of humor? (Gotta have a sense of humor)
Are there snacks nearby or food possible within reasonable walking distance of the game space?
Beyond that - I like most of my players to at least be mentally 18 years in maturity or older - and I'm the judge of that one. (or my most trusted player is the judge of that - and she's pretty damn good at estimating character and personality)
Oh Yeah - and we're likely to play either GURPS or SAVAGE WORLDS.
- Ed C.
I'm fairly demanding of my players. I expect a commitment to regular attendance to a game. And yes, basically not being a dick.
RPGPundit
Quote from: noisms;480933Nothing pisses me off more than somebody sitting at the game table with their mobile on the table right there next to their dice. I can't get into the mindset of the kind of person who would do that. It's rude to the other players, rude to the DM, and totally distracting.
I recently suggested limiting phonecalls and text messages that god knows for what fucking reason apparently are necessary to times when we take a short break from the game. So far it seems to work.
Man, cell phone addiction really annoys me. Same for people who seem unable to do as much as take a shit without notifying their SO as to when, where and even how they are doing it... :rolleyes:
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;481367I recently suggested limiting phonecalls and text messages that god knows for what fucking reason apparently are necessary to times when we take a short break from the game. So far it seems to work.
Man, cell phone addiction really annoys me. Same for people who seem unable to do as much as take a shit without notifying their SO as to when, where and even how they are doing it... :rolleyes:
I haven't implemented a ban, but cell phones are definitely an issue at the gaming table. It is just too tempting to check emails, or reply to texts.
Quote from: Badlands;480991I'm an amateur GM that runs a game down at the FLGS and I have a few rules/ guidlines to keep things going.
1. No electronics at the table
2. Show up regularly
3. Have a problem? Talk to me!
4. Fresh clothes and good hygiene or no game for you today
5. Minimize the non game related chatter
6. I can't try to run the game intoxicated or hungover
Other than that a rough page of notes and maybe a few extras and I am good to go.
No judgment, but we have a 100% laptop/iPad compliance. The rest I am down with. But you can't update a spreadsheet, access a wiki, or check for 'notes' without electronics...
Quote from: BedrockBrendan;481375I haven't implemented a ban, but cell phones are definitely an issue at the gaming table. It is just too tempting to check emails, or reply to texts.
I decided on the ban after being amazed by the completely pointless phone conversations taking place sometimes during precious game time. Figured it wouldn't hurt limiting them to breaks. If I manage to live my whole life without a cell phone the players should be able to survive a mere couple of hours without one.
Quote from: Badlands;480991(...)
1. No electronics at the table
If it is available we use one
and only one laptop that's connected to internet. I mainly use this to display pictures or sounds relevant to the game or for browsing pdf-files during character creation.
Quote2. Show up regularly
At least let us know when you're not coming.
Quote3. Have a problem? Talk to me!
This hasn't been an issue until now, but if someone has a problem with anything they should indeed just let me know.
Quote4. Fresh clothes and good hygiene or no game for you today
Fortunately not an issue in my group.
Quote6. I can't try to run the game intoxicated or hungover
There's usually pot and alcohol at my game table, in moderate amounts, but if anyone gets disruptive in any way either the game is off or the player leaves.
Most of the time we vote on/plan games as a group, and then someone volunteers to GM, so it's all circumstantial for me, since I usually won't be deciding whether I'm GMing until everything else is nailed down. Basically I just need to feel comfortable with the people I'm running for, and they have to want to play the game. That's about it.
The only games I won't run are those that take more than a few hours a week to prep for. I'm just too busy with work and personal stuff to take on a game that requires tons of planning. But we're pretty collaborative about things, and I've had players help me prep games in the past, so ultimately it depends whether I have one of those dependable Seconds in my group who's willing to help out if I get bogged down with real-life.
I haven't banned electronics; but nothing bothers me quite so much as having a player, in a scene where his character is actually fucking involved, being distracted from what's going on by his phone or his laptop.
RPGPundit
Quote from: Badlands;4809914. Fresh clothes and good hygiene or no game for you today
I understand why this is a stipulation but isn't it
crazy that it has to be? Sometimes I despair about this hobby, I really do.
Quote from: noisms;481585Quote from: Badlands;4809914. Fresh clothes and good hygiene or no game for you today
I understand why this is a stipulation but isn't it crazy that it has to be? Sometimes I despair about this hobby, I really do.
In my own group I don't have smelly people. I have encountered a co-player at a gaming day once who smelled heavily of sweat. I find it highly impractical that our language/culture lacks proper etiquette to let someone know in a non-offensive way that their smell is offensive.
Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;481616In my own group I don't have smelly people. I have encountered a co-player at a gaming day once who smelled heavily of sweat. I find it highly impractical that our language/culture lacks proper etiquette to let someone know in a non-offensive way that their smell is offensive.
I'm not sure any language/culture does.
It's odd, isn't it? If I had a BO problem I'd like to be told so I could do something about it. And yet like everyone I feel incredibly awkward even thinking about telling somebody they smell bad.
No evil characters...
No Rules Lawyers...
No Min/maxers...
No illegal drugs
No technological crap to include cellphones, laptops, kindles...
No alcohol...
No metagamers...
No cheaters...
I despise tardiness to a game. I despise flakes and unreliable gamers. I also totally despise gamers who think only one edition of D&D is the only way to play the game....;D
Minimal requirement for players would be to:
Create PCs according to campaign specifications, or accept a pregen.
Pay attention during the game,
Be reasonably polite/pleasant,
Accept the GM's considered decision or leave (GMs should likewise be reasonably polite/pleasant and be willing to give a brief reason for their decision, even if only 'judgement call'), &
Must read inter-session emails sent directly to that person.
Highly desirable, in roughly descending order:
Will speak in-character where appropriate.
Will read inter-session posts on bulletin board & game blog.
Will give PC some personality.
Will provide a short PC background on request.
Will give PC some adventuring goals/motivation.
Will play a PC they are capable of portraying - charisma-free players should avoid the dashing swashbuckler archetype.
(GMs should: do sufficient prep to run their game, have adequate rules knowledge, should not railroad, should avoid illusionism, & should have NPCs speak in character where appropriate - eg in a critical negotiation with the Duke, I want to hear what the Duke is saying).
All IMO, YMMV, etc.
Quote from: Benoist;480776Phone if you don't show up. .
Yeah, let me know if you're not coming. I'd put that at highly desirable for players (I'll run with a reduced group & I try not to rely on any 1 player), vital for GMs. I'm amazed at the GMs who think it's ok to blow off a game.
Mine all boil down to my not wanting to run games for rude assholes.
Oh, and that I only want to run the games I want to run... if they want something different someone else is gonna have to do it.
Quote from: Imperator;480747Regular attendance (though I'm not too exigent on that, as we play as long as we have 50+% of players), good behavior to everyone and basic politeness, willingness to have fun and be fun. Not much more. i'm not exigent regarding immersion, first person acting or other things. Ah, everyone brings drinks and snacks because I already do a lot of work and also I host the game at my place.
This, plus:
- a table ideally;
- places to sit around said table (I find that if people sit on sofas and whatnot attention drifts. Others may manage that better. I salute them);
- something to eat;
- decent but not harsh lighting, not being freezing or boiling or anything;
- a bit of enthusiasm. I don't mind if you're not the best player in the world, but work with what you have you know?
Generally though my conditions are mostly about comfort, a decent space to play in and people I can get along with. Stuff about system preferences and so on is all detail. We can work around that if the basics are good.