How do you present the game in public?

A few things I noticed in the last few days seemed to have a running theme. First, during Worldwide D&D Day, one of the players at my table started a discussion with another player about sacrificing someone to gain magical abilities (this had nothing to do with the scenario). At the time, I considered what sort of image this would present to someone who came back to see us play D&D. Sort of would reinforce some of those stereotypes, eh?

The second thing (and the third thing, too) was a thread on the WotC site about D&D and Denny's. Essentially, a group of players were at a table planning an assassination for a D&D game, complete with maps for the "hit". A police officer came over and interjected himself into this, going so far as to take them aside to investigate their little "plan." Another person in the thread commented that something similiar happened to him, and he got hit with a nightstick when he went for his dice in his coat while being questioned by the officer. (I probably have mangled this story someone, but the basic idea remains).

When you are in public, do you ever consider how your conversation might look to those who aren't familiar with D&D? Whether it's obvious you're talking about the game and just presenting an image of it, or if they wouldn't and it could seem you are planning some illegal activity.

We're all ambassadors for our hobby. When we act like jerks or do something untactful that's gaming related, people are going to blame it on RPGs. Fair? No. True? Yes.

As a result, I generally try to put my best foot forward.

Living in the south, especially here in central Arkansas, I find it's just easier to not even bring it up or even talk about it much. While I have pretty deep religious views and am always trying to be a better person and Christian, I still believe gaming is a hobby that exercises one's mind and imagination, rather than being a "gateway" to cults and satanism (a recent article in our local paper actually had some "known authority" telling how Pokemon and other games were gateways to joining gangs!!!!). So even when I'm in the bookstore, and someone strikes up a conversation at the gaming section, I tend to just politely excuse myself and go on, as the section is immediately adjacent to the "occult" section where books on Wicca, paganism, and tarot cards are displayed. This section sits next to the large Christian section, and invariably, a discussion about gaming draws the attention of a person or persons who refuse to listen to my side of the argument. So, it's just easier to avoid the whole thing.

I just try to present as I would any other hobby - something that's slightly silly to people that aren't interested, but perfectly acceptable to and for people who are.

I'm happy to "evangelize" for the hobby, and I answer questions honestly and reasonably when asked. But I can recognize that apart from an occaisonal association with the occult or whatever, there would still be people who think RPGs aren't fun. They're just not for everybody.

It helps that I am, for the most part, a pretty normal guy - but I suspect the best way to deal with it is just to act like there's nothing to hide (and there shouldn't be).

While I rarely game in public, I talk about it a fair amount, both to people who know I game (but are not gamers themselves) and to those who, until then, did not. Since I come off as both fairly intelligent and articulate on the one hand and rather eccentric on the other, people accept that I game and ask me a lot of questions about it, from the basic (how do you use dice?) to the esoteric (so, if I wanted to use a katana like Toshiro...) to the religious (doesn't the game encourage paganism?) to the truly bizarre ("So, why do you dress up all the time for your game?" "I don't." "Yeah, but gamers do that and you're a gamer, so...").

Overally, I just try to talk about the fun I have, the various ways one may participate, and the fact that I have been gaming for 20-odd years now, which is no different from other people I meet who play poker or golf and feel no need to justify their hobby

Note to self: When planning next political assassination, meet at Denny's, bring gaming books, especially spycraft.

Aaron.

dungeonmastercal said:

(a recent article in our local paper actually had some "known authority" telling how Pokemon and other games were gateways to joining gangs!!!!)

Click to expand...

Fair enough. Look how overly choreographed dancing led our youth to join the Jets and the Sharks.

Note to self: flash bulbusaur card at neighborhood thugs in order to infiltrate gang.

Agree with P-kitty. If you're playing in a public area, and you're concerned about the people who are looking at you, you should pretty much switch to a different adventure.

GM: (cough)Peoplewatching(cough) Okay, as you watch, the evil bad guy finishes his evil spell, and a gigantic demon, wreathed in flames and wearing a belt from which hang the heads of its innocent victims, steps through a portal. "Surrender now and bend to my will!" it roars.

Player1: Sir Valorant raises his shining sword, says a prayer for strength, and declares, "You're not going to hurt any more orphans! I'm sending you back to hell, fiend!"

Player2: Magilor raises his hand, and radiant beams of light pummel the demon. "My magic comes from the forces of goodness," he shouts. "Your foul evil cannot stand against us!"

Player3: Durg Strongfist charges forward with his ax, yelling, "You killed those innocent people in church! You're going down, monster!"

Player4: Squirg looks around and then calls out in Abyssal, "If I help you kill the other three and bring you a steady supply of virgins, maybe you could grant me some of your hellish power?"

Player1: Dude, party foul.

i wear jeans and a t-shirt to work everyday. before i change into my scrubs.

some times my shirts have my love of the game on them.

currently i'm wearing a black ENWurld shirt.

but i opt for my hat of d02 knows no limits as much as my wife will let me out of the house in it.