TheRPGSite

Kyle used to say (and still does say, actually): People, Snacks, Setting, System, in that order.

We talk some about people and settings, and way too much about systems, let's face it.

But what about the snacks? What type of social event are your role playing game sessions, exactly? What type of stuff do you drink and eat prior and during play? Do people bring their own stuff, or you just pitch in some bucks and go for the groceries before play begin, or you cook stuff, order pizza? Coke, mountain dew, cheetos, or carrots and dip? What's the deal at your table?

For us here, the food and snacks are an important part of the whole RPG thing. It's part of getting together, enjoying the presence of each other, blowing some steam and then playing a game we like together. So what we generally do is that everyone brings a dish or drink or whatnot for the game. Most of the type, they've been cooked for the occasion, but not always. When you bring a bunch of people together and have the chance to have a gaming group composed in majority of women with a liking for good foods and the company of each other, this can lead to some serious food porn, people...

(http://www.enrill.net/images/photos/game12-1.jpg)

(http://www.enrill.net/images/photos/game11-0.jpg)

(http://www.enrill.net/images/photos/game10-0a.jpg)

(http://www.enrill.net/images/photos/game9-1a.jpg)

(http://www.enrill.net/images/photos/game8-1.jpg)

(http://www.enrill.net/images/photos/game7-1.jpg)

(http://www.enrill.net/images/photos/salmon.jpg)

(http://www.enrill.net/images/photos/Game02-04.jpg)

(http://static.flickr.com/84/257416274_cd7e7ebf5b_o.jpg)


:D

So what about you guys? What's your gig, food and snacks wise, at your RPG games?

Ben, I think it is safe to say, my table is considerably less delicious than yours. We usually order pizza or chinese food. In the past I have cooked pasta with a meat marinara (sunday gravy for those in the NJ/NY area) or made turkish coffee. But at a game that stuff get's messy fast. Trying to run a game and keep an eye on a pot of sauce is a challenge.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;547787Ben, I think it is safe to say, my table is considerably less delicious than yours. We usually order pizza or chinese food. In the past I have cooked pasta with a meat marinara (sunday gravy for those in the NJ/NY area) or made turkish coffee. But at a game that stuff get's messy fast. Trying to run a game and keep an eye on a pot of sauce is a challenge.

Yeah I get you about the mess. As you can see on the pics, what we usually do is that we have lunch before the game, and then we leave the food on low living room table there to play on the actual dining table in the back (well the set up's changed since we moved, but that's the basic idea right there). One of the rules is to not put food and stuff on the gaming table itself, so people just move back and forth and eat at the table with a plate in their hand for a few minutes or whatnot.

It works great for us. No spillage so far, in like 8 plus years we've been doing it. :)

We don't go nearly that all out.  Typically we have your standard gaming snacks, and whoever is hosting cooks a main meal.  Sometimes that's BBQ steaks (with potato salads, fruits, etc), sometimes it's meat balls with twice baked potatoes, sometimes it's a huge chunk of ham roast, etc.

What do you call "standard gaming snacks", Sacrosanct?

Thinly veiled "I am the living reincarnation of Chow, god of cooking" thread. :D Normally we just eat pizza, maybe some snacks in bowls, having feasted my eyes now though I want moar.

We start later in the evening after the kids have been put to bed, so no nibbles so extensive. The drinks of choice are soda water and/or caffeinated aspertame, though one of the newer players makes his own cider. Foodwise it's the usual variety store bags of sugar and chips.

On our annual gaming trek into the forest of the far north, we have wood-stove beef stew.

The wife and I usually stop at the grocery store on the way, pick up something small, and eat before game. Usually, the rest of the group gets delivery and eats before we start, too. Usually pizza or wings or whatever. One guy brings a big vegetable tray, or a bag of chips, depending on how health-conscious he's feeling that week.

I don't snack while gaming, really. Especially since I GM, I'm talking the majority of the time, and listening intently the rest of the time. I ain't got time for Cheetos.

The group I game with used to do that, but since most of us have kids now, our free time to cook food outside of meals is limited.  Now it's only occasional.

Also, I have that same coffee table.


Dr. Gentleman

Quote from: Benoist;547794What do you call "standard gaming snacks", Sacrosanct?

Sodas, chips, jerky...that sort of stuff.  We always have a fruit and vegetable tray though, for those that prefer to avoid junk.

Quote from: DrGentleman;547798The group I game with used to do that, but since most of us have kids now, our free time to cook food outside of meals is limited.  Now it's only occasional.

Also, I have that same coffee table.


Dr. Gentleman

Yeah, I imagine with the kids the logistics of the whole thing are bound to evolve as well. We have some gamers around here (I'm looking at you, Lord Vreeg) who are making cooked snacks and have wine and all while having the kids around too. I'm sure Vreeg won't resist posting in this thread with some pics too. We'll see what he's got to say from his neck of the woods.

Welcome to the RPG Site, man! :D

Quote from: Sacrosanct;547800Sodas, chips, jerky...that sort of stuff.  We always have a fruit and vegetable tray though, for those that prefer to avoid junk.

OK. When I hear the "usual snacks" I figure stuff like Coke, Mountain Dew, cheetos and cookies, yeah.

BTW the name Kyle has for the "PSSS" thing is actually "Cheetoism". :D

I game with 2 groups.

The Friday group meets at my place and I supply a variety of chips, cheesy poofs, cookies, and soft drinks. Sometimes I will bake goodies like brownies or cupcakes. Everyone usually brings some fast food dinner or eats real food prior to the game.

The Saturday groups meets over at a buddies house. These sessions are longer (5pm-2am or so) and we like to have a real meal in there somewhere. Its either a pizza order or the host's wife will cook something absolutely amazing for us. Week before last we had homemade raviloi in a creamy white wine sauce. We were all so stuffed and drowsy from the great food that the 2nd half of the game was played in the hazy post Thanksgiving dinner type of half alertness. It was awesome.

Right now we game at a Donatos pizza, so everyone just orders something from the menu. In the past we've usually just met a person's house. In those cases we've ordered pizza, made sloppy joes, cold cut sandwiches, homemade pizzas, brownies, cookies, chips, water, pop.

let's see....Igbar group played just last night (damn knight from the Armor of Trade (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14956457/The%20Armor%20of%20Trade) made a critical hit against the necrotic Chimera (http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/54418214/Undead%20Chimera%20sheering))...last night the wife made ginger glazed pork belly, we had 3 alarm home made chili, strawberry-arugala salad, home-made french bread (warm out of the oven), prosciutto crudo from the charcuterie with 3 cheeses.
we had an 06 bordeaux thrid growth, an 05 claret, an 07 barbaresco, an 06 Gattinara, an 07 meritage from washington, an 08 Mount Veeder Cab, and one player (who plays Sirrah Grobach from said Armor of Trade) brought a year old blackberry mead she made.

The unwholesome chips + soft drinks combo in one party, slightly larger percentage of wholesome stuff (local organic food etc.) in the other. Alas, neither of these parties are like our old one, which featured prodigious amounts of fine wine and politics.

But really, I think Benoist wins the thread.

Quote from: Benoist;547801Welcome to the RPG Site, man! :D

Thanks.  I've had a falling out with RPGs recently, but reading through here has started getting me back into it.

We play in a bar, so not-crap bar food (Burritos, burgers, chilli, fajitas, lasagne, etc) and drinks (For those not driving, natch). Some of us have a beer when we play; when we played Houses of the Blooded, I worked my way through the wine list. The bar gives us a discount as we're regular customers, but as far as they're concerned, it's still a couple of hundred pounds going through the tills they wouldn't get otherwise, Tuesdays otherwise being a slow night.

If I'm in town late enough tomorrow evening, I'll try and take a picture.

Our Saturday group meets up at a guy's flat; we bring snacks, coke, and usually order pizza for dinner, although we have sometimes cooked. Generally no beer on Saturdays.

It seems like a lot of people are gaming in restaurants, coffee houses and bars these days. We did this with Planet Algol playing Red Box Vancouver. I think it's a terrific idea, personally, because you got all the facilities and the social aspects of the RPG that are like right there in front of your face, right, and also because complete strangers to RPGs can watch you play and maybe get intrigued or amused by the whole thing? Dispells some myths, makes people look at gamers like real people having a good time together bathing in their enthusiastic nerdom full on... it's great, really. :)

Back in the day for special events I woul;d get someone in to cook for everyone and even do a themed meal. One time we had an in character roast suckling pig in the predicted feast scene.

Usually though its just beer and wine and as we all now have proper jobs beer and wine gives way to just a bottle of wine or a couple of beers and then tea. You can;t forget good old tea. 1 pot an hour usually covers us with biscuits (that's cookies to you yanks).

One group cooks--whatever they feel like and shares it with the group usually. Sometimes they ask money to be kicked in for the meal ingredients sometimes they don't. Depending on their own finances.

The other group usually cooks as well, and asks much the same thing. Although a preponderance of past is usually served for the rather large group and rather large appetites of many of the gamers in the second group. (I eat little compared to that group.)

My wife volunteers to cook for the latter group fairly often as she enjoys cooking, and she feels a need to be busy. (I try and hold off starting the game until after food is dispersed so she doesn't lose any game time.)

I've a strict policy (at least here in the  U.S) of no alcohol at games. I've found people imbibing tend to not be interested in gaming. and lacking the focus necessary.

When I was in Vancouver, the group I gamed with drank when we played at one friends house. I might have allowed it as well, if they'd asked since the Canadians were all generally drinking to enjoy the drink, not to be drunk. Not a case I find locally. Fortunately most of the gamers I game with prefer to drink other times than game night.

Quote from: Silverlion;547853I've a strict policy (at least here in the  U.S) of no alcohol at games. I've found people imbibing tend to not be interested in gaming. and lacking the focus necessary..

Me too.  I've gamed with a lot of people with alcohol at the table before (just about every group while I was in the military), and for most folks, it works OK if they have the self discipline.  But there's always one or two who take it overboard and it's a huge distraction.

Thus it's just easier to say no alcohol.

With some groups, I sometimes made nachos.  For longer games, I'll sometimes cook some lasagna or pizza for them.

Quote from: Sacrosanct;547855Me too.  I've gamed with a lot of people with alcohol at the table before (just about every group while I was in the military), and for most folks, it works OK if they have the self discipline.  But there's always one or two who take it overboard and it's a huge distraction.

Thus it's just easier to say no alcohol.

I definitely agree, but we once had a session with a kid hyperred-up on energy drinks. Beer isn't the problem as such; excess is.

Maybe there's a national culture difference here, though. For reference, on a normal game night, I'll probably have two bottles of beer or two glasses of wine over the course of about four hours, which is well within social drinking levels (ie, drinking because I happen to be in a bar with friends, and the first one would be with my dinner anyway). At that level of drinking, you don't let someone drive, but they're probably not showing any obviously alcohol-related impairment.

If I'm driving that evening, of course, I'd have two cokes instead; I'd still need to drink, it just wouldn't be beer.

If we were playing in the evenings in a bar, and the GM said "no beer!", I'd think that was a bit odd because it's not really the done thing over here, but certainly wouldn't turn down a game I was enjoying... a morning or afternoon game in a bar would be different, though (That would be cokes). If we were playing at someone's house, of course, their rules would apply regardless of time of day.

We have a pot-luck dinner @ around 6 PM and then coffee/dessert @ 9 PM. Everyone brings something according to the role (main dish, side dish, dessert, drinks); we often drink during the game but usually you bring your own booze.

Then there is karaoke and drinking @ midnight at the local dive bar ;-)

We generally have soda, nachos, and maybe pizza. Beer at times, depending on the group (our Shadowrun group almost always had beer, the D&D group rarely did).

That's the type of food you get at Lord Vreeg's table:

(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/530403_418832494812397_562810257_n.jpg)

When I was in college, I used to spring for cookies for our game group:  Nutter Butters and Oreos, primarily.

Nowadays, I've got a son with a peanut allergy, so the Nutter Butters have gone the way of the dodo.

Quote from: Benoist;547901That's the type of food you get at Lord Vreeg's table:

(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/530403_418832494812397_562810257_n.jpg)

That was hand rolled by someone who puts the best sushi in NYC and Boston to shame, btw.

We used to do a lot of similar spreads,  but inevitably every group found that most finger food also gets crumbs, grease or detritus all over the game materials, which wasn't cool for a lot of people.  These days we rarely eat while we're gaming; the food comes before, after, or during the break.

There's a local chain steak/roadhouse that has a seasonal program: every time your sports team of 5+ comes in after a game, you get a stamp on a card, and after 8+ stamps, the restaurant will throw you an "end of season" party for free for your team.  This has worked out well for my gaming groups.  We use "end of season" to mark the end of the campaign or plot arc.

Not a big sushi fan, but I do like Kimbap, and I know how to roll it.  I also like dolmas, but no one in my gaming group appreciates the more exotic foodstuffs, so most of that gets left out.  Much to my dismay

Quote from: LordVreeg;547908That was hand rolled by someone who puts the best sushi in NYC and Boston to shame, btw.

We should get them together with my wife (see pics in the OP, those are hers). She makes them mean. We'll have to wash them down with some good wine. Any suggestions with sushi? I'd think a dry white would do it? Or maybe a Bourgogne. Meursault? Or maybe something floral. Gewürtzraminer late harvest. Goes great with Vietnamese.

Mate, someone was asleep in one of those pictures! Time to get the wandering monster charts out. :D

Quote from: One Horse Town;547947Mate, someone was asleep in one of those pictures! Time to get the wandering monster charts out. :D

That was a pic for the lulz because I told them "I'm going to take a shot for the blog" and they all went "oh right let's pretend we all fell asleep after the meal!" It was damn good I tell you. We were full. :D

Quote from: Benoist;547941Any suggestions with sushi? I'd think a dry white would do it? Or maybe a Bourgogne. Meursault? Or maybe something floral. Gewürtzraminer late harvest.

I suggest a Sauvignon Blanc, especially a New Zealand one. But yes, any drier whites are good. Gewurztraminer? No thanks.
Of course, sake is best.

I'd agree. Dry white it'd be.

We're a classic junk food group. Chips, Cheetos, and all the Mt. Dew Code Red you can bear.

To be honest, I'd love to cook a meal, but my group's taste varies a little too widely to be able to agree on a single dish. On the other hand, the endless stream of cookies, bars, and other baked goods that my wife makes are always appreciated by the crowd.

We alternate depending on the host's schedule and general energy level.  We've done crock-pot stuff a few times (home-made chili and that sort of stuff) because it's easy, but when we're feeling lazy we'll go for pizza/chinese.  Being in the Philadelphia area means there are a lot of good hoagie places, so sometimes we'll go for a tray of sandwiches since they're lighter on the stomach.

For drinks we usually do a mix of beers and soda, but halfway through we'll do tea and coffee to keep people going (our games are usually run late on the weekends).

There are usually cheetos, chips, and jerky on the side for those who want it, as well.

Quote from: Peregrin;547981We alternate depending on the host's schedule and general energy level.  We've done crock-pot stuff a few times (home-made chili and that sort of stuff) because it's easy, but when we're feeling lazy we'll go for pizza/chinese.  Being in the Philadelphia area means there are a lot of good hoagie places, so sometimes we'll go for a tray of sandwiches since they're lighter on the stomach.
.

We have subs here (basically hoagies) and they are great for games.  We also have tons of roast beef places, which are equally good for games.

Sometimes, if it is an early game (a 12-6 game say) we would go out to eat after. That is kind of fun because you can focus a little more on the food and conversation.

I've been reading the TheRPGHaven equivalent of this thread (http://www.therpghaven.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1913&start=10), and dear merciful God, TheRPGInformer is a whiny, annoying schmuck. :rolleyes:

Also, I miss Kyle. :(

Quote from: Sacrosanct;547916Not a big sushi fan, but I do like Kimbap, and I know how to roll it.  I also like dolmas, but no one in my gaming group appreciates the more exotic foodstuffs, so most of that gets left out.  Much to my dismay

God damn I love kimbap.

As I recall though it's tough to get the proper pickle back home.

Quote from: Melan;548054Also, I miss Kyle. :(

Sushi is just raw fucking fish, you assholes!

Quote from: daniel_ream;548107Sushi is just raw fucking fish, you assholes!

Not quite. Sushi can be any raw fish, not just ones that happen to be fucking.

Quote from: Melan;548054I've been reading the TheRPGHaven equivalent of this thread (http://www.therpghaven.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1913&start=10), and dear merciful God, TheRPGInformer is a whiny, annoying schmuck. :rolleyes:

Also, I miss Kyle. :(

I miss Kyle being here too.

It's just weird the way on that other thread people came out saying "Snacks? How can snacks be more important than setting and rules?" Then you basically explain "well snacks are part of the socializing, and at its core, the point of playing an RPG is to haven fun together so yeah, snacks are more important" but ... that seems to fall on deaf ears. It's really something I can't fathom personally.

When the game becomes more important than the people playing and just enjoying the presence of each other, you know something's gone wrong with your gaming, IMO.

Quote from: Benoist;548124I miss Kyle being here too.

It's just weird the way on that other thread people came out saying "Snacks? How can snacks be more important than setting and rules?" Then you basically explain "well snacks are part of the socializing, and at its core, the point of playing an RPG is to haven fun together so yeah, snacks are more important" but ... that seems to fall on deaf ears. It's really something I can't fathom personally.

When the game becomes more important than the people playing and just enjoying the presence of each other, you know something's gone wrong with your gaming, IMO.

Gaming is a 'pro-social' hobby.
It should be enmeshed and woven into your other social behaviors.

Quote from: Benoist;548124I miss Kyle being here too.

It's just weird the way on that other thread people came out saying "Snacks? How can snacks be more important than setting and rules?" Then you basically explain "well snacks are part of the socializing, and at its core, the point of playing an RPG is to haven fun together so yeah, snacks are more important" but ... that seems to fall on deaf ears. It's really something I can't fathom personally.

When the game becomes more important than the people playing and just enjoying the presence of each other, you know something's gone wrong with your gaming, IMO.

That is because you were talking to gamers who do not know how to socialize in that thread.

Quote from: Piestrio;548056God damn I love kimbap.

As I recall though it's though to get the proper pickle back home.

Yeah, I really miss that and Bulgulgi bap the most (the style where the entire table is set up with all the various meats, veggies, sauces, etc and you make your own).

We more or less potluck it or go in for pizza or whatnot. Soda is usually on hand without having to buy some beforehand. Basically we to to the grocery before game time and pick something up. Maybe steak or ribs maybe chicken with some sides out of the deli section. We take a dinner break and grill it up!

Re: Gaming as a social event so how much cross talk is there, I have to say I agree with Benoist.  And I think it's because myself and my gaming group are older and most of us have full time jobs/family/etc that translates into only really getting to see each other face to face about once or twice a month.

So before the game, breaks during the game, and after the game we spend a lot of time shooting the shit and eating.

I understand not everyone is the same, but for my group it seems to have transitioned from "gaming as #1 priority" to "hanging with friends as #1 priority"

Quote from: Sacrosanct;548133Re: Gaming as a social event so how much cross talk is there, I have to say I agree with Benoist.  And I think it's because myself and my gaming group are older and most of us have full time jobs/family/etc that translates into only really getting to see each other face to face about once or twice a month.

So before the game, breaks during the game, and after the game we spend a lot of time shooting the shit and eating.

I understand not everyone is the same, but for my group it seems to have transitioned from "gaming as #1 priority" to "hanging with friends as #1 priority"

http://celtricia.pbworks.com/w/page/14955643/how%20it%20is%20played

read the first para.
I think this is a nice thing to realize as we continue to game...welcome the new folks, but be aware how our lives change.

Quote from: Benoist;548124It's just weird the way on that other thread people came out saying "Snacks? How can snacks be more important than setting and rules?" Then you basically explain "well snacks are part of the socializing, and at its core, the point of playing an RPG is to haven fun together so yeah, snacks are more important" but ... that seems to fall on deaf ears. It's really something I can't fathom personally.

Well, that was it. "My games are too serious business to socialise in!" How do you socialise with a person like that? That's just not right.

The more you treat gaming like a job, the sadder baby Jesus becomes

Quote from: Melan;548054and dear merciful God, TheRPGInformer is a whiny, annoying schmuck. :rolleyes:

Yes, how dare him disagree with Benoist pushing his one true way of gaming!  What a jerkoff :rolleyes:

They're supposed to talk about us, not the other way round. It's the way it works.

Quote from: Benoist;548124It's just weird the way on that other thread people came out saying "Snacks? How can snacks be more important than setting and rules?" Then you basically explain "well snacks are part of the socializing, and at its core, the point of playing an RPG is to haven fun together so yeah, snacks are more important" but ... that seems to fall on deaf ears. It's really something I can't fathom personally.

I know plenty of people who game to game, and socialize outside of gaming.  Some people don't use game for the main point of socializing

Quote from: Benoist;548124When the game becomes more important than the people playing and just enjoying the presence of each other, you know something's gone wrong with your gaming, IMO.

I didn't see that in that thread.   And as for what TheRPGInformer said, he put people above the setting and system.   He just doesn't believe that snacks are important.  And I can get behind him on that.

The only time there is a problem with your gaming is if you aren't having fun.  If you are having fun gaming, however you are doing it then you are doing it right

Quote from: Daedalus;548164Yes, how dare him disagree with Benoist pushing his one true way of gaming!  What a jerkoff :rolleyes:

"One True Way" is a meme, a pseudo-insult bandied around by people who have sucked RPGnet's dick for too long and have no way of disagreeing with people by any other means than throwing around that meaningless piece of garbage. It's intellectually bankrupt, the ultimate demonstration of a gamer's lack of critical thinking and independance.

Quote from: jeff37923;548126That is because you were talking to gamers who do not know how to socialize in that thread.

It's funny how you can make a blanket statement about people in a thread you don't know.

I could make a blanket statement about a group of people I don't know, and I could be wrong.

Quote from: Benoist;548168"One True Way" is a meme, a pseudo-insult bandied around by people who have sucked RPGnet's dick for too long and have no way of disagreeing with people by any other means than throwing around that meaningless piece of garbage. It's intellectually bankrupt, the ultimate demonstration of a gamers lack of critical thinking and independence.

No, you went onto that site and said "my way is right, and everyone who disagrees is an idiot" and I can see how that can rub people the wrong way.

The way you game is right for YOU and your group, but it isn't right for everyone.   Some people use gaming to game and socialize on other days.  I know plenty of people like that.  

As long as they are having fun, they are doing it right.

Quote from: Daedalus;548164Yes, how dare him disagree with Benoist pushing his one true way of gaming!  What a jerkoff :rolleyes:

I see what you did there  :)

Quote from: Sacrosanct;548173I see what you did there  :)

Sorry, I too get annoyed when people say my way is right for everyone and if you don't do it my way you are doing it wrong.

It's arrogance at it's worse

Quote from: Daedalus;548172No, you went onto that site and said "my way is right, and everyone who disagrees is an idiot" and I can see how that can rub people the wrong way.

The way you game is right for YOU and your group, but it isn't right for everyone.   Some people use gaming to game and socialize on other days.  I know plenty of people like that.  

As long as they are having fun, they are doing it right.

See, it's not even original thought. It's pretty much a copy/paste from billions of similar posts all over the gaming internet. Like the ultimate incantation of gaming morons scattered throughout forums everywhere "you onetrueway! One trueway! Onetrueway!" Come to me when you have something to say that comes from you, not from what the PC told you to think.

Quote from: Benoist;548177See, it's not even original thought. It's pretty much a copy/paste from billions of similar posts all over the gaming internet. Like the ultimate incantation of gaming morons scattered throughout forums everywhere "you onetrueway! One trueway! Onetrueway!" Come to me when you have something to say that comes from you, not from what the PC told you to think.

I see you have a problem with the post because you can't come up with an actual answer.  Because you know it's right and you argument is bankrupt.

I see my conversation with you is done.  I will be off to talk to people who have the actual intellect to have an adult conversation

Quote from: Benoist;548177See, it's not even original thought. It's pretty much a copy/paste from billions of similar posts all over the gaming internet. Like the ultimate incantation of gaming morons scattered throughout forums everywhere "you onetrueway! One trueway! Onetrueway!" Come to me when you have something to say that comes from you, not from what the PC told you to think.

Look, you know I agree with your particular playstyle as one that I prefer as well.  But I gotta tell ya, sometimes you do come off as acting like your (and mine) preferred playstyles are the only "right" way to do things.

So I gotta agree with him on this one.  He's making a very valid claim here (everyone has different ways they like to play), and you're dismissing it with an ad hominem.

Just say'n

"Ad hominem" is another one of those memes bandied around. It's not discourse.

What we've got here is basically two ways to understand the concept of gaming: in one case, the people and the socialization aspect of gaming come first, and the details of the game (setting and system) are secondary to that. In the other case, people and the social aspects of gaming are secondary to the setting and system the game uses. The game's itself the thing. The people are proxies, tools to get a "game fix".

I'm sorry, but I'm not backing down at all from this: if the game comes first, and the people second, you got a problem. You need help.

Quote from: Benoist;548185"Ad hominem" is another one of those memes bandied around. It's not discourse..

It's not a meme, it's what you did.  He made a comment to support his argument, and you attacked him personally for it with nothing to address the actual argument he was making.

I'm not trying to be a dick here. I actually like a lot of what you post.  But in this case, you're coming off like someone pissed in your cheerios.

Nevermind. The ones who are not putting a single relevant counter-argument forward are you guys. What you are doing is politically correct bullshit, basically telling me I don't have a right to disagree with somebody, and that it's wrong to imply you're being dense in waving these non-thoughts around.

Fuck you.

Actually counter my argument, for fuck's sakes.

Quote from: Sacrosanct;548188It's not a meme, it's what you did.  He made a comment to support his argument, and you attacked him personally for it with nothing to address the actual argument he was making.

I'm not trying to be a dick here. I actually like a lot of what you post.  But in this case, you're coming off like someone pissed in your cheerios.

Welcome to the RPGsite!

Quote from: Benoist;548185"Ad hominem" is another one of those memes bandied around. It's not discourse.

What we've got here is basically two ways to understand the concept of gaming: in one case, the people and the socialization aspect of gaming come first, and the details of the game (setting and system) are secondary to that. In the other case, people and the social aspects of gaming are secondary to the setting and system the game uses. The game's itself the thing. The people are proxies, tools to get a "game fix".

I'm sorry, but I'm not backing down at all from this: if the game comes first, and the people second, you got a problem. You need help.

I don't think de-emphasizing the importance of snacks equates to putting game before people or socialization.

I LOVE snacks (basically being a 6'2" hobbit) but I can see others putting the socialization ahead of the game without the fixation on food as still having their priorities fairly well in order.

Quote from: Sacrosanct;548188It's not a meme, it's what you did.  He made a comment to support his argument, and you attacked him personally for it with nothing to address the actual argument he was making.

I'm not trying to be a dick here. I actually like a lot of what you post.  But in this case, you're coming off like someone pissed in your cheerios.

Dude he's French, even thinking about dismissing the importance of food is anathema.  :D

Seriously though, the more open the table, the less likely a close social atmosphere will develop, also the older the players are, the more likely the table will be closed and thus more likely a close social atmosphere will develop.

Quote from: Exploderwizard;548194I don't think de-emphasizing the importance of snacks equates to putting game before people or socialization.

I LOVE snacks (basically being a 6'2" hobbit) but I can see others putting the socialization ahead of the game without the fixation on food as still having their priorities fairly well in order.

Jesus Christ YES! An ACTUAL fucking argument.

I acknowledge that for you that might be the case, but for me food and drink are part of the act of socialization. And I do think it's wrong to see games as some type of job you go to that it's got to be this "down to business" affair. It's a game. It's meant to be enjoyed together. It's not a job.

IMO YMMV whatever.

Quote from: Benoist;548185I'm sorry, but I'm not backing down at all from this: if the game comes first, and the people second, you got a problem. You need help.

I have to correct you here, no one put gaming before people.  They just disagreed that snacks were important.

It's ok to have a position that is different then another person, but make sure your position is against what they are saying.

Quote from: Daedalus;548200I have to correct you here, no one put gaming before people.  They just disagreed that snacks were important.

It's ok to have a position that is different then another person, but make sure your position is against what they are saying.

They're not understanding what snacks stand for here.

Quote from: Benoist;548202They're not understanding what snacks stand for here.

Snacks are just food.  I can eat them at games, before games, after games.  They just aren't important to him and as he pointed out he games, everyone has fun and he has people who actually wish they can join his game.

Obviously, it can be done without snacks.  He does and is very successful.  If he wasn't, people wouldn't stay in his games.

Sorry for blowing steam off guys. It's just that the "onetrueway" this and the "ad hominem" that are really starting to annoy the hell out of me. This is mindless virtual bumper sticker bullshit, like the "I'm with D&D, all editions" and all that garbage that just attempts to kill dissent. That really rubs me the wrong way today.

Quote from: Daedalus;548205Snacks are just food.

Man, did you just say that to a Frenchman? :jaw-dropping:

Quote from: Benoist;548209Man, did you just say that to a Frenchman? :jaw-dropping:

Yep. I have said it to professional chefs too.  Got the same response from them (not the Frenchman part)

Wait, we are arguing that bringing food to a game is badwrongfun?

Quote from: Marleycat;548211Wait, we are arguing that bringing food to a game is badwrongfun?

Why would you say that? It makes us tubby, overfed gamers cry when you say that.

Quote from: Daedalus;548210Yep. I have said it to professional chefs too.  Got the same response from them (not the Frenchman part)

Yeah. That's antithetic to everything I am, actually.

Quote from: Marleycat;548211Wait, we are arguing that bringing food to a game is badwrongfun?

No, we were arguing that saying that one person saying their way of gaming is right and if you don't game that way it is wrong.

Benoist thinks that if you don't bring snacks to games you are wrong and you aren't playing correctly.

Others are saying that snacks aren't important and they can game well without them

Quote from: Exploderwizard;548213Why would you say that? It makes us tubby, overfed gamers cry when you say that.

Don't worry, our government will get involved and make sure we don't get fat and make sure everything is alright :D

Quote from: Benoist;548214Yeah. That's antithetic to everything I am, actually.

For me food is just about nourishing me.  I eat it then forget about it 5 minutes later.  As long get nourishment from it that's all I care about.

Quote from: Daedalus;548215No, we were arguing that saying that one person saying their way of gaming is right and if you don't game that way it is wrong.
 
Benoist thinks that if you don't bring snacks to games you are wrong and you aren't playing correctly.
 
Others are saying that snacks aren't important and they can game well without them

Don't really know if they are required for the game but it sure does make it better for myself given my focus is on the casual and the social part of the game. One True Way? No, but don't get mad if I'm at your table and break out a bit of food and maybe a beer.

I don't mean to say that because we drink a ton of wine and cook/prepare food like the bunch of Gourmands we are means we play a better version of a game than anytone else.

(we do, but that's beside the points:D)

Taste buds, and indeed, personal taste in general is exactly that.

However, breaking bread and sharing meals would indicate a greater level of social interaction while playing said game.  It does not speak to the quality of the game, while it does speak somewhat to the quality of the experience.  And I would argue this is an important point as we grow up.  

Few of us were 15 years old cooking dinners and drinking good wine enjoying the combination of dinner party/wine tasting/6-8 hour gaming session that I now go through twice a month.  And whilst some would make the point this is not needed, I would agree, but remind the assembled throngs that one thing that makes this hobby better than sitting in a basement jerking of to WoW or whatever is the social dimension.  And since the social ingredient is such an important constituent element to RPGs, perhaps one should look at factors that contribute to the social element as positive ones.

Quote from: Marleycat;548219Don't really know if they are required for the game but it sure does make it better for myself given my focus is on the casual and the social part of the game. One True Way? No, but don't get mad if I'm at your table and break out a bit of food and maybe a beer.

I think what is being said is that you can be causing and social without snacks being involved.  Benoist disagrees, you either bring snacks or you are gaming wrong (according to him)

Quote from: LordVreeg;548222However, breaking bread and sharing meals would indicate a greater level of social interaction while playing said game.  It does not speak to the quality of the game, while it does speak somewhat to the quality of the experience.  And I would argue this is an important point as we grow up.

I completely disagree.  I have gamed where we have eaten together and gamed where people ate prior to the game, and I saw no difference in the experience, it wasn't less social or a lower quality session.

Quote from: Daedalus;548215No, we were arguing that saying that one person saying their way of gaming is right and if you don't game that way it is wrong.

Benoist thinks that if you don't bring snacks to games you are wrong and you aren't playing correctly.

Others are saying that snacks aren't important and they can game well without them

please.  Respect the continuum.
 Ben recited from the Book of Kyle, "People, Snacks, Setting, System, in that order."  The thread was a pretty light-hearted movement into this pro-social enviroment.  

then you said this..

Quote from: DaedalusI know plenty of people who game to game, and socialize outside of gaming. Some people don't use game for the main point of socializing

And I think it was more this angle that is where the real slight rift is.  the snacks part is just cover, to some degree.

Quote from: Daedalus;548227I think what is being said is that you can be causing and social without snacks being involved.  Benoist disagrees, you either bring snacks or you are gaming wrong (according to him)

No he is saying the social aspect is more important than the game. Food and drink are always an indicator of a good time with friends. "People, Snacks, Setting, System, in that order."

Quote from: Marleycat;548234No he is saying the social aspect is more important than the game. Food and drink are always an indicator of a good time with friends. "People, Snacks, Setting, System, in that order."

Thank you.

Quote from: LordVreeg;548222reaking bread and sharing meals would indicate a greater level of social interaction while playing said game.  It does not speak to the quality of the game, while it does speak somewhat to the quality of the experience.  And I would argue this is an important point as we grow up.

I agree, though I suspect it does reflect on the quality of the game as well, since IME great players and GMs are conscious, aware, of the multiple dimensions involved in a role playing game, including the social interactions going on around the table.

Who would have thought a simple post about the joys of snacking would evolve into a two-forum flame war.

Quote from: Daedalus;548215No, we were arguing that saying that one person saying their way of gaming is right and if you don't game that way it is wrong.

Well, in this particular case, Benoist is right and everyone who disagrees with him is objectively, literally WRONG.

There. That's settled. Now let's talk about something actually controversial.

Quote from: Daedalus;548228I completely disagree.  I have gamed where we have eaten together and gamed where people ate prior to the game, and I saw no difference in the experience, it wasn't less social or a lower quality session.

So..you are saying that sharing food, especially food that one prepares and puts time into, or sharing something that is actually collected does not enhance the social situation.  That the history of meals and sharing meal time and the way that figues into hospitality does not affect the social experience?

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;548236Who would have thought a simple post about the joys of snacking would evolve into a two-forum flame war.

welcome to small-minded hobbyism in the internet age.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;548236Who would have thought a simple post about the joys of snacking would evolve into a two-forum flame war.

Welcome to the internet! Are you lost, Brendan? :D

Quote from: Benoist;548243Welcome to the internet! Are you lost, Brendan? :D

Lol. No. I thought food would be the one thing folks could agree on.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;548248Lol. No. I thought food would be the one thing folks could agree on.

Apparently not. And people can disagree so much on this topic, as a matter of fact, that they can ragequit a forum over it. Now that's disagreement or I don't know what is.

Quote from: Daedalus;548218For me food is just about nourishing me.  I eat it then forget about it 5 minutes later.  As long get nourishment from it that's all I care about.

I'm certain your architects are contented to know of your machine-like efficiency (ripped from their Facebook page):

(http://costumefail.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Star-Trek-Vulcan-Couple.jpg)

Those of us within the human portion of the population prefer our lifestyles seasoned with a bit of un-examined enjoyment.

I'm sure the blandness of your pill form meal substitutes is quite satisfying

Quote from: Benoist;548250Apparently not. And people can disagree so much on this topic, as a matter of fact, that they can ragequit a forum over it. Now that's disagreement or I don't know what is.

Someone ragequit?

I guess some of the debates over food have gotten heated at my own table (round here people can never agree on whether to order italian or greek style pizza). So maybe I shouldn't be surprised people are digging their heels on this subject.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;548255Someone ragequit?

Yeah RPG Informer ragequit and started ranting on his blog.

I just dropped the thread. I guess sometimes I forget the RPG Haven is not the RPG Site.

Why are you even talking about the place?

SA, RPGnet and now the baby of the group, the Haven. :idunno:

Quote from: One Horse Town;548258Why are you even talking about the place?

SA, RPGnet and now the baby of the group, the Haven. :idunno:

Yeah. Right. So ... food. What do you have at your games, OHT? Fish and chips? :D

Quote from: Benoist;548259Yeah. Right. So ... food. What do you have at your games, OHT? Fish and chips? :D

People bring their own snacky things and we largely order pizza in or go to the kebab shop at 'half-time'

Simples.

We eat, we game, sometimes at the same time. Then we don't eat and we don't game.

Oh. Kebab. Like Doner Kebabs, the half moon sandwich?

I haven't had one of those in AGES. I'm drooling just thinking about it.

Quote from: LordVreeg;548240So..you are saying that sharing food, especially food that one prepares and puts time into, or sharing something that is actually collected does not enhance the social situation.

As far as gaming in concerned, no it doesn't.  Hasn't for me.  I know The RPG Informer said it doesn't for him.

It's just there to eat, but really doesn't matter.  I don't focus on food, I eat it for what I get from it and it is no more important then that

Quote from: Melan;548237Well, in this particular case, Benoist is right and everyone who disagrees with him is objectively, literally WRONG.

There. That's settled. Now let's talk about something actually controversial.

And you are a troll and no intellectual conversation will be had.  Thank you I can add you to my ignore list and talk to people who can actually have adult conversations.

Quote from: Benoist;548267Oh. Kebab. Like Doner Kebabs, the half moon sandwich?

I haven't had one of those in AGES. I'm drooling just thinking about it.

When I lived in Germany, there was this doner kabab place in Geibelstadt that made the best kababs.  We would go there every day for lunch.

Man, do I miss that place.  I haven't had a decent kabab since.

Quote from: Daedalus;548269And you are a troll and no intellectual conversation will be had.  Thank you I can add you to my ignore list and talk to people who can actually have adult conversations.

I think he was being sarcastic.

Quote from: Sacrosanct;548274I think he was being sarcastic.

Probably for the best I got it over with now anyone.  I have a strong feeling after reading this thread that he would end up there anyhow

Anyway I have said all I want to say and this thread is starting to bore me.  Later

Hilarious.

Quote from: Daedalus;548269And you are a troll and no intellectual conversation will be had.  Thank you I can add you to my ignore list and talk to people who can actually have adult conversations.

Why, and you are an annoying schmuck, too! :cool: This is great! I don't think I have ever been ILed before. Well, at least nobody told me. :D

Anyone else have more wrong stuff to say, or can we stop being silly over game food?

Quote from: Sacrosanct;548272When I lived in Germany, there was this doner kabab place in Geibelstadt that made the best kababs.  We would go there every day for lunch.

Man, do I miss that place.  I haven't had a decent kabab since.

When I say "kebab" around here (BC) people think it's basically meat on a stick. :idunno:

Those sandwiches, they are awesome. The joint you knew in Germany was turkish right? These guys know their stuff.

Quote from: Benoist;548280When I say "kebab" around here (BC) people think it's basically meat on a stick. :idunno:

Those sandwiches, they are awesome. The joint you knew in Germany was turkish right? These guys know their stuff.

You don't mess with 'em either. During the riots last year, the kebab shop was about the only place that didn't get any trouble. Serious guys with cleavers tend to stop looters - who'da thunk?

Crisis of snackery.

RPG nerds will fight tooth and nail about literally anything.

Quote from: Benoist;548280When I say "kebab" around here (BC) people think it's basically meat on a stick. :idunno:

Those sandwiches, they are awesome. The joint you knew in Germany was turkish right? These guys know their stuff.

Yes, it was Turkish as a matter of fact.

Quote from: Insufficient Metal;548284Crisis of snackery.
 
RPG nerds will fight tooth and nail about literally anything.

Quite obviously.:D

I'm going to break with form and say that honestly, I'm thinking about ditching "snacks" beyond just that - snacks.  If you can't hold it in a baggie or bowl in your hand, please not at the gaming table.  The point of the gaming is to game.   Food's fine, but this seven-course meal nonsense is getting out of hand (at my gaming table).

Quote from: thedungeondelver;548307I'm going to break with form and say that honestly, I'm thinking about ditching "snacks" beyond just that - snacks.  If you can't hold it in a baggie or bowl in your hand, please not at the gaming table.  The point of the gaming is to game.   Food's fine, but this seven-course meal nonsense is getting out of hand (at my gaming table).

Fine. You won't have any food when you come gaming here, then. :p

Quote from: Benoist;548308Fine. You won't have any food when you come gaming here, then. :p

I think it's a cost thing too.  Looking at your spread, it looks like you've spent well over $100 just for food.

Quote from: Sacrosanct;548310I think it's a cost thing too.  Looking at your spread, it looks like you've spent well over $100 just for food.

Nah, nobody did. Everyone brought one dish and/or snacks. What you are seeing is just the result, all the stuff pooled together before eating.

Let me note that the spreads are not glorious like this all the time. Sometimes we do just have snacks and pop and stuff. The spread is not mandatory in my mind. A Pizza or some cheetos and mountain dew is totally fine by me. I will never go "either we have that huge spread with salmon and samosas and all or we don't game!" It's not what I'm saying at all.

Benoist, you make an enormous number of posts, most of them long-winded and argumentative.

Are you unemployed by any chance?

Quote from: Sacrosanct;548310I think it's a cost thing too.  Looking at your spread, it looks like you've spent well over $100 just for food.

hmm.
wine bill for last session probably went $200-300, not counting food.  Just being honest.  I had a session I popped 3  bottles all over $100 a piece.  

Life changed,  My coke and oreos days are int he past.  Not saying it is any better, but not apologizing, either.

Quote from: _kent_;548339Benoist, you make an enormous number of posts, most of them long-winded and argumentative.

Are you unemployed by any chance?

not to defend anyone...
but I see the quality of posts as well as the quantity as important.  John Morrrow and I have fiught bitterly, but I doubt either of us has any negative comments about the other's intellectual ingredient to each other's work.

You, a troll, are complaining about a truly contributing member.  

go re-examine yourself.

Quote from: LordVreeg;548340hmm.
wine bill for last session probably went $200-300, not counting food.  Just being honest.  I had a session I popped 3  bottles all over $100 a piece.  

Life changed,  My coke and oreos days are int he past.  Not saying it is any better, but not apologizing, either.

I didn't mean it being judgmental, just that a lot of gamers out there can't drop $100-$500 on food for a gaming session.

Christ, this thread moved faster than a greased up wizard going down a trap chute (and ended up just as dazed and confused at the bottom of it).

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;547988We have subs here (basically hoagies) and they are great for games.  We also have tons of roast beef places, which are equally good for games.

Roast beef places?  I'm jealous.  We have...uh...Arby's...so not exactly quality stuff.

QuoteSometimes, if it is an early game (a 12-6 game say) we would go out to eat after. That is kind of fun because you can focus a little more on the food and conversation.

True, it's nice to just be able to chill with food and conversation without worrying about keeping the game stuff moving along.

Something one of my gaming groups has considered is doing a marathon D&D session, since Jersey has a lot of 24-hour diners (cheap coffee refills would definitely help keep us going).

Quote from: Sacrosanct;548346I didn't mean it being judgmental, just that a lot of gamers out there can't drop $100-$500 on food for a gaming session.

That's where I'm at honestly so a chip in for Pizza or KFC or even Smokehouse or Gates works for us. 5 bucks each, then extra is on you. If that can't be done bring 1-2, 2 liters of soda, Mountain Dew and Sierra Mist works best. Or a bag or two of generic 1.49 bag of chips, dip will be covered trust me Lipton dry soup mix or retried beans with a bit from the refrigerator ...I always have chopped jalapenos on hand and just about any other pepper also.:)

Quote from: Peregrin;548347Roast beef places?  I'm jealous.  We have...uh...Arby's...so not exactly quality stuff.

North Shore mass is the land of roast beef. Just about every corner has a place. We are probably most famous for Kelly's though.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;548351North Shore mass is the land of roast beef. Just about every corner has a place. We are probably most famous for Kelly's though.

My friend, I mentioned it once...we play in Framingham.  You are welcome.

Quote from: LordVreeg;548341not to defend anyone...
but I see the quality of posts as well as the quantity as important.  John Morrrow and I have fiught bitterly, but I doubt either of us has any negative comments about the other's intellectual ingredient to each other's work.

You, a troll, are complaining about a truly contributing member.  

go re-examine yourself.

Im not a troll, I just don't like dumb people.

When you say 'fiught', is that a sex thing?

Quote from: _kent_;548357Im not a troll, I just don't like dumb people.

When you say 'fiught', is that a sex thing?

if you'd like it to be.  Maybe you'd be confusing me for a dumb person.  Or Benoist, for that matter.  
IN the mean time, if you were not a troll, you'd have made the judgement based on multiple threads.  Cheerio.  Hope no one burns any bridges tonight, since it might be your roof.

Quote from: _kent_;548357(Off topic shit)

What kind of snacks do you eat at the game table with your friends, Kent?

Quote from: Benoist;548185"Ad hominem" is another one of those memes bandied around. It's not discourse.

Mmm no, mate, actually it isn't. It is a well known fallacy that impedes discourse.

QuoteWhat we've got here is basically two ways to understand the concept of gaming: in one case, the people and the socialization aspect of gaming come first, and the details of the game (setting and system) are secondary to that. In the other case, people and the social aspects of gaming are secondary to the setting and system the game uses. The game's itself the thing. The people are proxies, tools to get a "game fix".

I'm sorry, but I'm not backing down at all from this: if the game comes first, and the people second, you got a problem. You need help.

Well, I wouldn't enjoy gaming like this, but I don't think that people who enjoy this have a problem. It seems a very simplistic description.

For example, if you play in a gaming club maybe you go there only to game, but you do the rest of your social activities with your friends elsewhere. Again, it's not how I roll, but I don't see any problem with it.

Quote from: BedrockBrendan;548236Who would have thought a simple post about the joys of snacking would evolve into a two-forum flame war.

Quote from: Insufficient Metal;548284Crisis of snackery.

RPG nerds will fight tooth and nail about literally anything.

And there you have your answer :D

Also, _kent_, the unemployment shit is really really weak. Not only because the obvious (if it's true it's quite evident why it's a shitheaded thing to say) but also because it is irrelevant. The lenght of the posts does not say anything about their quallity, and I don't think that anyone's contributions are going to improve or get worse because of your employment situation.

So basically, is a worthless piece of shit of a post.

Just snacks.

I've tried raising the gastronomic level of our sessions, to no avail. One won't even chip in for pizza, the asshole. "Nah, you guys go ahead and order, I'm not hungry. Don't mind me." :mad:

Tuna sandwiches or pizza is the most sophisticated we get. We mostly stick to chips (crisps for those in the UK), nachos, popcorn, cookies and industrial amounts of soda (Coke, Sprite and our very own Guaraná (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guarana#Beverages)).

Quote from: Exploderwizard;548121Not quite. Sushi can be any raw fish, not just ones that happen to be fucking.

Let me correct your correction. Sushi is a cuisine with picked rice, which more often than not you get with raw fish.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushi

Scroll down to inari sushi (which is quite tasty), which is a fish-less example.

Sashimi is the straight up raw stuff:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sashimi

Quote from: Lynn;548475Let me correct your correction. Sushi is a cuisine with picked rice, which more often than not you get with raw fish.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushi

Scroll down to inari sushi (which is quite tasty), which is a fish-less example.

Sashimi is the straight up raw stuff:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sashimi

Thanks for the edumacation but the correction was intended for people that get jokes. :rolleyes:

Quote from: Exploderwizard;548477Thanks for the edumacation but the correction was intended for people that get jokes. :rolleyes:

Yeah, I know :)

Quote from: Imperator;548448Also, _kent_, the unemployment shit is really really weak. Not only because the obvious (if it's true it's quite evident why it's a shitheaded thing to say) but also because it is irrelevant. The lenght of the posts does not say anything about their quallity, and I don't think that anyone's contributions are going to improve or get worse because of your employment situation.

So basically, is a worthless piece of shit of a post.

RPGs can become an obsession to the point where smart guys don't mind being unemployed. I certainly remember it interfering with my schooling.

Quote from: Benoist;548381What kind of snacks do you eat at the game table with your friends, Kent?

I think the point is well made that as thirty and forty somethings gaming as a daylong event is best served with full attention to the social graces which include hospitality - food and drink. However I only game with close friends whom I meet regularly so we tend to talk about the game on game day. There is no eating at the gametable and we drink a couple of beers only at the end of the evening.

We usually game in the same player's house and if left to ourselves we break for guy food - pizza & salad, scampi & salad kind of thing.

However if this player's girlfriend is knocking about - she's from Burgundy - food takes on a different complexion. We've been treated to Tartiflette (smelly Roblochon cheese baked with potato and small ham chunks and garlic) and Raclette (melted cheese dripped over cold meats and potatoes - from Shepherds in Swiss mountains, put block cheese near the fire and dripped it onto their plates).

Quote from: The Butcher;548464Just snacks.

I've tried raising the gastronomic level of our sessions, to no avail. One won't even chip in for pizza, the asshole. "Nah, you guys go ahead and order, I'm not hungry. Don't mind me." :mad:

Does he then cadge a slice or two anyway once it arrives?  'cause I can't stand that.  YEAH MAYBE I WILL HAVE A PIECE, THANKS.

Can't.  Stand.

Quote from: Exploderwizard;548477Thanks for the edumacation but the correction was intended for people that get jokes. :rolleyes:

Although nobody seemed to get the Kyle Aaron joke in the first place.

Quote from: _kent_;548501I think the point is well made that as thirty and forty somethings gaming as a daylong event is best served with full attention to the social graces which include hospitality - food and drink. However I only game with close friends whom I meet regularly so we tend to talk about the game on game day. There is no eating at the gametable and we drink a couple of beers only at the end of the evening.

We usually game in the same player's house and if left to ourselves we break for guy food - pizza & salad, scampi & salad kind of thing.

However if this player's girlfriend is knocking about - she's from Burgundy - food takes on a different complexion. We've been treated to Tartiflette (smelly Roblochon cheese baked with potato and small ham chunks and garlic) and Raclette (melted cheese dripped over cold meats and potatoes - from Shepherds in Swiss mountains, put block cheese near the fire and dripped it onto their plates).

+1.
I don't have the time I used to to game, so when I do, I set myself up to enjoy it.

Quote from: _kent_;548491RPGs can become an obsession to the point where smart guys don't mind being unemployed. I certainly remember it interfering with my schooling.

Even if that is true - and it certainly can - it bears nothing of significance about a poster's quality.

Look, I think you are a clever guy, I have read your blog and there are several jewels there, and it pains me to see something like this. Of course, I'm aware that you don't have to answer to anyone, but I think you can do so much better.

Also, your point about snacks is well brought.

Quote from: Imperator;548525Even if that is true - and it certainly can - it bears nothing of significance about a poster's quality.

Sometimes it is fun to annoy people, even pals. Everyone should try it a few times. The emphasis is on irritating the person rather than reaching philosophical clarity. It is the surest way I know to detect a sense of humour.

For the time being I will confine my amusement to nurturing Melan's and Premier's inarticulate silence.

The unemployed gibe is not really an effective slur in gaming communities (and I couldn't care less anyway). Consider: J. Maliszewski, J. Raggi, Zak S., J Rients - all obviously unemployed. Rients has gone back to study I think. Anyway it's very common among gamers even if it is never discussed.

Quote from: Melan;548054I've been reading the TheRPGHaven equivalent of this thread (http://www.therpghaven.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1913&start=10), and dear merciful God, TheRPGInformer is a whiny, annoying schmuck. :rolleyes:

Wow that place still exists?

Hmm, after going and looking, I guess it well, sorta exists.

As for the rest, what can you expect from a guy who set himself up totally as an attempt to shit on me, in a forum who's only purpose was to shit on me? Do you really expect him, on that site, NOT to be a whiny annoying schmuck?

RPGPundit

For the record, for me its the exact opposite from Benoist as far as my opinion on this: I don't roleplay to get my "social fix", and while its fine to roleplay with friends, I think a lot of nerds roleplay as a SUBSTITUTE to having a richer social life.

I don't NEED EVERY SINGLE GAMER in my group to be my Friend.  I have friends. I have activities that are purely and explicitly social, I don't need the guys I play D&D with to all be dear friends anymore than I'd need all the people at a poker game to be my friends.  Of course, many of the people I game with are good friends (as in, people I do things other than just gaming with), and others are people I've grown to have very friendly relationships with in the exclusive context of gaming, but with whom I'd never really do anything other than RPGs.  But to me, when you're getting together to play an RPG campaign, you're there for the RPG. Part of that is to have fun, to have a pleasant time, which includes eating a nice meal, and whatever else.   I don't see why that all needs to be excluded.
But what's important is that people don't end up putting those things over the game itself (like having one guy think its ok to be chatting loudly with his "friend" while the rest of the group is trying to pay attention to what's happening in the actual game; or having someone bring food they'll need to cook and think its perfectly ok for their character to just be on neutral for half the game session because they're making whatever latest thing Gordon Ramsay said was cool).
Fuck that. When I want someone to cook something awesome and enjoy a lovely meal, that's what I have the The Wench for (among many other things). What we're there for at an RPG night is to GAME.

RPGPundit

Quote from: RPGPundit;548591Wow that place still exists?

Hmm, after going and looking, I guess it well, sorta exists.

As for the rest, what can you expect from a guy who set himself up totally as an attempt to shit on me, in a forum who's only purpose was to shit on me? Do you really expect him, on that site, NOT to be a whiny annoying schmuck?

RPGPundit

Uh TheRPGInformer didn't start TheRPGHaven.  He is only a poster there.

Quote from: RPGPundit;548597For the record, for me its the exact opposite from Benoist as far as my opinion on this: I don't roleplay to get my "social fix", and while its fine to roleplay with friends, I think a lot of nerds roleplay as a SUBSTITUTE to having a richer social life.

I don't NEED EVERY SINGLE GAMER in my group to be my Friend.  I have friends. I have activities that are purely and explicitly social, I don't need the guys I play D&D with to all be dear friends anymore than I'd need all the people at a poker game to be my friends.  Of course, many of the people I game with are good friends (as in, people I do things other than just gaming with), and others are people I've grown to have very friendly relationships with in the exclusive context of gaming, but with whom I'd never really do anything other than RPGs.  But to me, when you're getting together to play an RPG campaign, you're there for the RPG. Part of that is to have fun, to have a pleasant time, which includes eating a nice meal, and whatever else.   I don't see why that all needs to be excluded.
But what's important is that people don't end up putting those things over the game itself (like having one guy think its ok to be chatting loudly with his "friend" while the rest of the group is trying to pay attention to what's happening in the actual game; or having someone bring food they'll need to cook and think its perfectly ok for their character to just be on neutral for half the game session because they're making whatever latest thing Gordon Ramsay said was cool).
Fuck that. When I want someone to cook something awesome and enjoy a lovely meal, that's what I have the The Wench for (among many other things). What we're there for at an RPG night is to GAME.

RPGPundit

I hate to admit this but, I agree with TheRPGPundit 100% on this.   This is how I feel as well.

Gaming isn't my social time.  It's about gaming.  That's what TheRPGInformer was saying as well

Quote from: Daedalus;548600Gaming isn't my social time.  It's about gaming.  

For, and I'm guessing others as well, it is social time because it's one of the few times I can get together with my friends on a face to face basis.

I understand different strokes and all that, and neither way is "bad".

Quote from: RPGPundit;548597For the record, for me its the exact opposite from Benoist as far as my opinion on this: I don't roleplay to get my "social fix", and while its fine to roleplay with friends, I think a lot of nerds roleplay as a SUBSTITUTE to having a richer social life.

Maybe that's the case for some gamers, and if they are gaming without paying any attention to the social aspects of the activity itself, then that leads to a completely fucked up social life, indeed.

But I don't think we are seeing the issue as perfect opposites here, in the sense that for me, RPGs aren't a substitute for a social life, they merely are a part of it. So while RPGs certainly can't replace having dinner with friends and friends who are not gamers at all and venues in which you can enjoy other things than gaming, I see them as one activity that is social in nature, and part of that overall picture certainly.

Quote from: RPGPundit;548597I don't NEED EVERY SINGLE GAMER in my group to be my Friend.  I have friends.

Likewise, actually. Just like I don't need to be friends with every single individual being at a party or dinner I'd attend, by the way.

Quote from: RPGPundit;548597I have activities that are purely and explicitly social, I don't need the guys I play D&D with to all be dear friends anymore than I'd need all the people at a poker game to be my friends.

Me neither. I do however need to actually want to socialize with these people. There's a nuance here. Which means I wouldn't actually game with people I don't at least like casually from the get go from one reason or another. I do convention games sometimes. I can play with people I don't know, just like I could go have a beer with people I don't know. But if something smells fishy or that I can't get along with this or that person in RL, then I won't go through the trouble of gaming with them at all, that's for sure.

Quote from: RPGPundit;548597Of course, many of the people I game with are good friends (as in, people I do things other than just gaming with), and others are people I've grown to have very friendly relationships with in the exclusive context of gaming, but with whom I'd never really do anything other than RPGs.  But to me, when you're getting together to play an RPG campaign, you're there for the RPG. Part of that is to have fun, to have a pleasant time, which includes eating a nice meal, and whatever else.   I don't see why that all needs to be excluded.

To me, the enjoyment of the game involves enjoying playing with each other, and thus, enjoying the presence of each other, sharing the moment together, etc. The snacks, even if they are just a bottle of coke and a jar of cookies on the table, are part of that dimension of gaming. This isn't aside of the game; it's part of the game, to me.

Quote from: RPGPundit;548597But what's important is that people don't end up putting those things over the game itself (like having one guy think its ok to be chatting loudly with his "friend" while the rest of the group is trying to pay attention to what's happening in the actual game; or having someone bring food they'll need to cook and think its perfectly ok for their character to just be on neutral for half the game session because they're making whatever latest thing Gordon Ramsay said was cool).

That wouldn't be okay in my games either. Which is why when we do bring something to the game, it's all already done or about to be finished when guests arrive, and then we just chill together for an hour or so having lunch, touching base, what have you, which gets the chatting part out of everybody's system if you will, and THEN we game and we're on. I'm actually playing in part for immersion or what you call emulation, so that part of the game is important for me too. This means staying focused, role playing your character, not being a dick taking phone calls and chatting about inane shit while we play and so on, but at the same time, you'll have some jokes flying, people going 'oooh' and 'aahh' with dice rolls, and so on.

It's a blend. Role playing game thrives on these multiple dimensions I think, and great GMs and players actually are aware of those different layers of game play to act on them and create a alloy that is greater than the sum of its parts. At least that's my experience.

So going to a game with the idea that it's "serious business" and if you do anything else then that's badwrongfun is bullshit, IMO. It leads to the game being more stale and boring than it otherwise could be.

Quote from: Daedalus;548598Uh TheRPGInformer didn't start TheRPGHaven.  He is only a poster there.

Look at the post you're quoting; I never said he did. They are two separate things: a guy who's whole deal is to try to shit on me, and a forum that was started as a way to shit on me (in the sense of the whole pathetic "let's be therpgsite without the pundit! if we start the revolution, the people will follow us!" kind of way, except of course it didn't work).

RPGPundit

To use a food analogy, your social life is like an onion.  There may be different layers, but it's all the same whole.  You can't divorce one social aspect of your life from the others without serious effort, because for most people it all bleeds together along certain edges.

IMO, every group reaches a balance of casual socialization and focus on the game that is comfortable for them.  And no two groups will ever have that same balance.  I remember hating GMs who used to say "Well you guys should really roleplay more", when it was obvious that some people didn't want to get super-cereal IC-all-the-time during the game.  I've played with groups who did enjoy playing WoD as lots of IC roleplay and atmosphere and very little non-game chit-chat, and it was fun, and right now I'm playing with a Pathfinder group who eats and kibitzes during the game and we make pop-culture references based on what's happening and it's all A-OK because it alternates between cool in-character scenes and a sort of MST3k vibe.

It's just important, especially as the GM/event organizer, to be able to read folks and find a comfortable middle-ground for everyone to settle so that you can keep the game rolling smoothly and naturally and so everyone gets the most fun out of the event.  So the importance of food and other social aspects are going to vary a lot.

Quote from: RPGPundit;548614Look at the post you're quoting; I never said he did. They are two separate things: a guy who's whole deal is to try to shit on me, and a forum that was started as a way to shit on me (in the sense of the whole pathetic "let's be therpgsite without the pundit! if we start the revolution, the people will follow us!" kind of way, except of course it didn't work).

RPGPundit

I don't know who you are referring to when you say "a guy who's whole deal is to try to shit on me.  Who are you referring to?

Quote from: Benoist;548608To me, the enjoyment of the game involves enjoying playing with each other, and thus, enjoying the presence of each other, sharing the moment together, etc. The snacks, even if they are just a bottle of coke and a jar of cookies on the table, are part of that dimension of gaming. This isn't aside of the game; it's part of the game, to me.

There may be cultural differences to consider also. In places like France and Italy, food is very much a part of social interaction to be relished and enjoyed. In other parts of the world its a chore to be undertaken as quickly as possible, literal refuelling.

Food is something I would consider to be reasonably important in the refuelling sense, but having seen the spread you laid out I've begun to consider the other dimensions to food and gaming, there are a lot of facets really. It turns the game into a celebration, which seems like a fun thing to do.

It's been alluded to before, and I'm starting to think there is indeed some truth to the argument there is a cultural difference at play here. Just how much of a factor it is in our differing opinions I don't know. Might be a big part of it.

Quote from: Benoist;548627It's been alluded to before, and I'm starting to think there is indeed some truth to the argument there is a cultural difference at play here. Just how much of a factor it is in our differing opinions I don't know. Might be a big part of it.

Raise a glass to the imagination mon ami, and I will raise a glass to you! I can see what you've done there as being something that really enhances the experience, but people who aren't used to it might be thrown by it. In a culture where it is the norm, it fits the experience a little better.

Santé ! Indeed. :)

Quote from: Daedalus;548620I don't know who you are referring to when you say "a guy who's whole deal is to try to shit on me.  Who are you referring to?

The "RPGInformer", Benoist's aforementioned Whiny Bitch.

Quote from: RPGPundit;548641The "RPGInformer", Benoist's aforementioned Whiny Bitch.

Even the name suggests some type of copycat or 'joke' or something.

Quote from: RPGPundit;548641The "RPGInformer", Benoist's aforementioned Whiny Bitch.

On his blog he posted only one post that even mentions you.  He has posted plenty of posts that don't even mention you.  Don't overestimate your importance to him or in general.

He has a role playing game blog, you have a general blog that also discusses role playing games.  You are doing two different things.

That's fine, but it is what it is

Quote from: Benoist;548648Even the name suggests some type of copycat or 'joke' or something.

Or he has a blog that discusses role playing games, thus informing people about things that are going on in the rpg hobby

Not everything is about The Pundit.  Don't inflate his already overinflated ego.  I know he has to say that crap to counteract his low self esteem issue but he doesn't need any help coming up with wacky conspiracy theories.

But back on topic....

I don't mind if people enjoy snacks at their games.  If it works for you then cool, but for me it makes no difference in my gaming

This thread is shit - even before a non-entity who just regurgitates other peoples thoughts was brought up (pardon the pun).

We eat, we game - therefore we are.

What more is there to say?

Once again OHT wins the thread.

Quote from: One Horse Town;548656This thread is shit - even before a non-entity who just regurgitates other peoples thoughts was brought up (pardon the pun).

Who is this non-entity?  TheRPGInformer?  Just because he didn't sit back and take Benoit's arrogance?

He uses things other people say, just like TheRPGPundit and many people do on this forum.  

Quote from: One Horse Town;548656We eat, we game - therefore we are.

What more is there to say?

But does what we eat make us who we are?  Are is just a way to nurrish ourselves?

I once had a 12th level Fighter called Nurrish.

Quote from: One Horse Town;548666I once had a 12th level Fighter called Nurrish.

I guess in your characters case what he ate did make him who he was

Quote from: Daedalus;548649On his blog he posted only one post that even mentions you.  He has posted plenty of posts that don't even mention you.  

So he's a slightly more clever than average pundit-hater.

QuoteHe has a role playing game blog, you have a general blog that also discusses role playing games.  You are doing two different things.

To clarify, he has a role playing game blog, I have one of the most successful blogs about RPGs in terms of its influence of all time (whether or not I also post about other things on the blog doesn't really seem to be of relevance here).  I also have a forum that is one of the most successful RPG forums (closing in on 5000 members), four completed RPGs (two published, two in the process of publishing) and two sourcebooks (one published, one in the process of publishing) under my belt, and was taken on as a consultant to 5e because of my aforementioned accomplishments.  He's got a rival forum with a whopping 2 members, one of which is himself.

Yes, I would say we're doing two different things: I'm engaging and influencing the RPG hobby successfully, he's attempting to engage and influence the RPG hobby unsuccessfully.

RPGPundit

Quote from: _kent_;548501However if this player's girlfriend is knocking about - she's from Burgundy - food takes on a different complexion. We've been treated to Tartiflette (smelly Roblochon cheese baked with potato and small ham chunks and garlic) and Raclette (melted cheese dripped over cold meats and potatoes - from Shepherds in Swiss mountains, put block cheese near the fire and dripped it onto their plates).

This sounds really great.

Oh, I just read the rest of this; it's icky.

Also I'm totally unemployed.

Anyway, on topic.
If we're going to at something besides pizza or Chinese, I'll be the one making it. I have a wide range of things I can cook, but usually I go with, as I've mentioned in the past, Tortilla de España. Sometimes i'll do beef stew or a meat marina in a slow cooker and let them cook for 8-12 hours before game time. Sometimes we break and go out.  Chips are rare, but coffee and soda are usually around. This week I think I'm going to do a tortilla, a veggie tray and grab what passes for a baguette :( over here.

I suppose, to take an honest stab at this, I must clarify what qualifies as "fast food" in this country.  In our gaming groups usually when we break for lunch we order from one of a couple of places that essentially have the same menu.  Players who are short on cash usually get some really fine pasta (spaghettis, gnocchi or raviolis) with bolognese sauce. Cost: $4 US

You have a couple of other pasta options too: ravioles principe de napoli, ravioles a la carusso, canelones, manicotti al escarpachio, etc. Cost: $6-8

Others will get a double wiener schnitzel sandwich (that is to say, two "milanesa" or "wiener schnitzel" sandwiches), topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo and optionally a fried egg. Cost: $6 US

Those with serious hunger will get a Chivito; which is a huge slice of lean beef with ham, bacon, muzzarella cheese, a fried egg served on french fries with green salad (lettuce, tomato, onions and palm hearts) and "russian salad" (potato salad with peas and carrots).  The plate is gigantic. Cost: $9

Finally, there's the parrilla.  You can get wood-cooked barbequed all-natural beef, either ribs or steak, a gigantic portion, with your choice of french fries, mashed potatoes, green salad, or potato salad.  Cost: depending on portion size, between $7-15

So you can understand if we don't bother cooking.

RPGPundit

That makes sense. We play in Denver right now, but if we played in my town (Ft. Collins) I seriously doubt we'd cook either. Even setting aside the fact that it's in the US Ft. Collins is an amazing food town with literally 3-4 separate restaurant districts and nothing is more than 10 minutes away, really. The town makes every best places to live in the US that I've ever seen.

Quote from: RPGPundit;551857I suppose, to take an honest stab at this, I must clarify what qualifies as "fast food" in this country.  In our gaming groups usually when we break for lunch we order from one of a couple of places that essentially have the same menu.  Players who are short on cash usually get some really fine pasta (spaghettis, gnocchi or raviolis) with bolognese sauce. Cost: $4 US

You have a couple of other pasta options too: ravioles principe de napoli, ravioles a la carusso, canelones, manicotti al escarpachio, etc. Cost: $6-8

Others will get a double wiener schnitzel sandwich (that is to say, two "milanesa" or "wiener schnitzel" sandwiches), topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo and optionally a Friedman egg. Cost: $6 US

Those with serious hunger will get a Chivito; which is a huge slice of lean beef with ham, bacon, muzzarella cheese, a fried egg served on french fries with green salad (lettuce, tomato, onions and palm hearts) and "russian salad" (potato salad with peas and carrots).  The plate is gigantic. Cost: $9

Finally, there's the parrilla.  You can get wood-cooked barbequed all-natural beef, either ribs or steak, a gigantic portion, with your choice of french fries, mashed potatoes, green salad, or potato salad.  Cost: depending on portion size, between $7-15

So you can understand if we don't bother cooking.

RPGPundit

When I lived in the PacNW it much like you describe but all the decent places in KCMO are either 45 minutes east outside the city or over the border in Kansas.  So I cook.:)

Quote from: Benoist;547785So what about you guys? What's your gig, food and snacks wise, at your RPG games?

Beer, pizza, chips. Sometimes whiskey shots.

Chips and coke most of the time. Although there's a decent kebab kiosk right next to my block so we occasionally get some when we're playing in my place.

Alcohol doesn't really work for RPGs in my experience. Except for Paranoia.

(also hi if anyone of you remembers me from anywhere else)

Quote from: RPGPundit;551857I suppose, to take an honest stab at this, I must clarify what qualifies as "fast food" in this country.  In our gaming groups usually when we break for lunch we order from one of a couple of places that essentially have the same menu.  Players who are short on cash usually get some really fine pasta (spaghettis, gnocchi or raviolis) with bolognese sauce. Cost: $4 US

You have a couple of other pasta options too: ravioles principe de napoli, ravioles a la carusso, canelones, manicotti al escarpachio, etc. Cost: $6-8

Others will get a double wiener schnitzel sandwich (that is to say, two "milanesa" or "wiener schnitzel" sandwiches), topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo and optionally a fried egg. Cost: $6 US

Those with serious hunger will get a Chivito; which is a huge slice of lean beef with ham, bacon, muzzarella cheese, a fried egg served on french fries with green salad (lettuce, tomato, onions and palm hearts) and "russian salad" (potato salad with peas and carrots).  The plate is gigantic. Cost: $9

Finally, there's the parrilla.  You can get wood-cooked barbequed all-natural beef, either ribs or steak, a gigantic portion, with your choice of french fries, mashed potatoes, green salad, or potato salad.  Cost: depending on portion size, between $7-15

So you can understand if we don't bother cooking.

RPGPundit

I challenge your places to touch the home grown quality of some sessions...But Pundit get's 2.5 stars for doing the takeout right.

Quote from: LordVreeg;555485I challenge your places to touch the home grown quality of some sessions...But Pundit get's 2.5 stars for doing the takeout right.

We've consistently found that the logistical issues of cooking tend to get in the way of the time spent gaming; and with such excellent take out around there really isn't a need.

RPGPundit

Quote from: RPGPundit;556088We've consistently found that the logistical issues of cooking tend to get in the way of the time spent gaming; and with such excellent take out around there really isn't a need.

RPGPundit

Absolutely. I like cooking and I like gaming but combining the two is a logistical nightmare. I work 10-12 hour days very often and coming home in time for a session is difficult enough for me.

I wish I had this sort of takeout here in Rio, though! US$15 for a big ol' Uruguayan parrillada? *drools*

Quote from: The Butcher;556179Absolutely. I like cooking and I like gaming but combining the two is a logistical nightmare. I work 10-12 hour days very often and coming home in time for a session is difficult enough for me.

I wish I had this sort of takeout here in Rio, though! US$15 for a big ol' Uruguayan parrillada? *drools*

I'm surprised to hear that there isn't good cheap take out in Rio?  I guess I assumed that the situation in Uruguay would be similar in the rest of the region.

RPGPundit

I'll have to stroll thru this long thread at my leisure, but I want to say that it is pretty epic that a thread on gamers and food on this site has 18 pages in such a short time!

Its making me hungry and this is not what I need right now, a few more hours til work gets out! :p

I've actually noticed that games tend to get sidelined and tangeted way too much if too many snacks are out. I tend to enforce hard pauses for meal breaks.

We do pizza every session- conflicting schedules don't give us much time to game, so it is just easiest that way.

This thread deserves a bump.

Earlier this year I played at my home, but the hike got a bit much for some of the players, so we're playing at a more central location in the city, in a game store. So we've been limited on the snacks, can't do anything fancy. It's been okay.

Chips, dips, finger foods. In the D&D2e game I am a player in the DM has asked me to make queso dip two times in a row. I guess it's a hit.

None. I spend a lot of time, energy and money creating a suitable aesthetic gaming den. Cokes and greasy fingers are forbidden. Drinks and such remain in the kitchen to be accessed during breaks

Pray, show us this aesthetic gaming den. Most of us can do no better than our dining tables!

It isn't the norm, but I had the awesome experience of a Player hand whipping whipped cream for the hone made chocolate cake she baked and brought to the session. I didn't realize what was going down until she needed something for the task, and then did my best impression of a DM not being influenced by homemade death-by-chocolate.

Generally these days, we've got some veggie trays, pita chips, hummas, and depending on the time and length of session, something more substantial before or after. Some various ales and hard ciders as well.

Anyone use the local boardgame cafe? Ours has full food service and drinks. Played boardgames but not RPGs there.

Quote from: rgrove0172;977660None. I spend a lot of time, energy and money creating a suitable aesthetic gaming den. Cokes and greasy fingers are forbidden. Drinks and such remain in the kitchen to be accessed during breaks

Pardon me, but do you have any Grey Poupon?

Quote from: rgrove0172;977660None. I spend a lot of time, energy and money creating a suitable aesthetic gaming den. Cokes and greasy fingers are forbidden. Drinks and such remain in the kitchen to be accessed during breaks

Well, lah de FUCKING dah!

Quote from: rgrove0172;977660None. I spend a lot of time, energy and money creating a suitable aesthetic gaming den. Cokes and greasy fingers are forbidden. Drinks and such remain in the kitchen to be accessed during breaks

I hope you at least allow IVs at the table, to stave off dehydration. Or are your sessions generally under 20 minutes or so?

Quote from: Zalman;977787I hope you at least allow IVs at the table, to stave off dehydration. Or are your sessions generally under 20 minutes or so?

Righhht...everybody drinks every 20 minutes. A break every couple hours is more than adequate.

Last game, we ordered "milanesa completa en dos panes". Except one guy, who had a deluxe burger.

We always have beverages at the table, usually some coffee to keep us midlifers awake, supplemented with water. In terms of munchies, I've found bowls of popcorn very effective of late - easy to make and produce, limited mess, and inexpensive. Usually we will game after dinner, but for the longer sessions we will pause for dinner outright, and return to game afterwards.

We used to do chips and cookies constantly, and it turned into a bit of a war to see who could bring either the a) blandest or weirdest chip flavour possible or b) the most exotic and or expensive gaming munchie. We make a gentlemen's agreement to halt the madness when we noticed how expensive gaming night was getting.

Empanadas. 4 large ones for about $6.

Quote from: Voros;977676Anyone use the local boardgame cafe? Ours has full food service and drinks. Played boardgames but not RPGs there.

GameHaus in Los Angeles is really amazing. The place charges for gaming, but has great food and its almost always packed with people.

Its a great business model.

Quote from: rgrove0172;977828A break every couple hours is more than adequate.

I have to agree.

I am mixed on food at the game table. In general, I like the meal break away from the gaming area if possible. But at cons, I bring snacks to entice players if I am running a playtest or a demo. A free Snickers? Hell yeah I'll try your game for 4 hours! It sounds crazy, but it works like a charm.

And YOU need to post pics of your game zone.

Quote from: RPGPundit;979498Empanadas. 4 large ones for about $6.

Damnit, now I want empanadas. There's two places nearby that make really good ones, but they ain't no 4 for $6.

I make make a pot of my slow cooker chicken adobo for tonight's game.

Quote from: RPGPundit;979498Empanadas. 4 large ones for about $6.

With or without raisins??

Quote from: Kyle Aaron;977663Pray, show us this aesthetic gaming den. Most of us can do no better than our dining tables!

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Today I had a player bring lots of slow roast pulled pork she cooked herself, with honey BBQ sauce, plus chips & dips. I provided the baps, chocolate biscuits, and made a lot of tea.