Anyone use surveys for new gaming groups?

[Rechan]

So when I move, I want to try and get back into gaming. In person no less.

When I start a new campaign (which is pretty much always with a new group, sigh), I tool the campaign to player preferences. Generally I pitch several campaign ideas, but I also gauge of what kind of game they like. Themes/tone, how much combat, exploration, investigations, social stuff, nation building, etc. Maybe even what's important or motivates them (story, vs. awesome magical items, etc).

I figure an easy way to do this would be to create a survey for potential players to fill out, and I try to make some campaign pitches based on the results.

My question is, what questions should I ask (or in what manner should I ask them)? What formats are good? Would you as a player be annoyed filling out one of these things (it wouldn't be too long, a page at least). What have you (DMs) used in the past?

 

[Quickleaf]

I've only used this sort of thing twice, both for short-term groups with people I wasn't spending much time with outside the game. In each case there were some players who found it artificial, but there was also really good feedback. I agree with you that short and to the point is best, the kind of thing that can be passed out while players roll up characters and such.

At the beginning of those two games I tended to ask these sorts of questions:

* Session scheduling and preferred length?
* Ideal number of players? Friends you want to invite?
* Policy regarding no-shows? XP?
* Policy about PC death and resurrection?
* Do you know what your play style is? Or what kinds of fantasy novels/movies so you go for?
* Any themes you'd like to explore or particular types of bad guy butt you want to kick?

Basically anything that helps establish a social contract for the group. Good luck with your new home (and gaming group)!

 

[Ahnehnois]

I've had the same players for a while, plus one addition.

When we were newer and the group was larger, I used to put up an online poll (or a few polls) on our message boards. I'd ask about various basic style things. Is the amount of combat too much? Would you be okay with a darker tone for this campaign? Those sorts of things.

I didn't ask about specific rules, game or social contract. I think the DM's job is to create order, but I do think it is important that everyone's happy with the result.

 

[Rechan]

I agree with you that short and to the point is best, the kind of thing that can be passed out while players roll up characters and such.

My intention is to send this over email when I finally manage to organize people. I mean, it'd be preferable that way (so I can read them ahead of time, and shape my pitches based on their feedback).

You have some decent suggestions.

Basically anything that helps establish a social contract for the group.

Hey that's a good idea. Establishing the social contract.

I figure I would do that during the group character creation session. The "Your character has to be willing to work with other PCs, and we're all here to play so don't be a jerk" stuff.

Here's sort of what I'm thinking of:
[sblock]Please rank the following, where 1 is the most important, and descending from there.

1 In a Campaign, and adventures, what would you prefer to focus on:

Being a Hero, making the world Better
Exploration, uncovering or developing new things.
Nation Building (creating or running an organization or place)
Intrigue (Dealing with different Factions, favors, and Plots)
Personal Stories/background
Simply Kicking Monster Arse with no greater goals

2. Which is generally more fun or important to you?

Combat
Social RP
Magical Items and Power Ups
Economics (managing loot, going shopping)
PC to PC interaction

3a. Which sounds like a better Campaign

HEROIC heroes restoring a Post-Apocalyptic world
The Specialists (All PCs are members of the smae Thieves Guild/Detective Agency/Mercenary Company/Special military unit in War Time)
Published Adventure Paths/misc Adventures
Typical wandering adventuring band

3b. Suggest any The Specialist themes, adventure paths, or other campaign that you'd really enjoy doing

4. Any Setting preferences?[/sblock]

 

[Kzach]

For a long-term group, I wouldn't do this. If it was just a one-shot or a few sessions with nobodies, I might as it would hasten a tiring process. But for the establishment of a new group, I think it sends the wrong message. I personally wouldn't join such a group.

 

[Rechan]

For a long-term group, I wouldn't do this. If it was just a one-shot or a few sessions with nobodies, I might as it would hasten a tiring process. But for the establishment of a new group, I think it sends the wrong message. I personally wouldn't join such a group.

Why? What message does it send?

 

[Hand of Evil]

always...It helps me as a DM but also the group to have fun. It keeps the game on track and keeps it from becoming stale.

I use a sliding scale:

Please rate the type of game you want to play in: Dungeon Crawl being a 1 and Conspiricy being a 5
Please rate combat: less being a 1 to more being a 5
Where do you see adventures taking place: 1 dungeons 3 wilderness 5 city
What do you want to focus on: 1 character 3 story 5 world bulding

You want to go to a flat line, so, if you see dungon crawls being selected over and over it will become a 3 and you have to find a new direction for a 1.

 

[Kzach]

Why? What message does it send?

It's not the workplace. It's not the local mall or a government department. It's a social group. If I went to a dinner with friends and they passed me a survey to fill out asking me what I'd like to do for before dinner entertainment I'd be a bit weirded out, wouldn't you?

It's the same thing. I don't want homework or to be treated like a statistic. Talk to me. Engage me in conversation about gaming. Have a session where instead of playing, you get together and talk about this stuff. But don't give me a form to fill out.

 

[Xris Robin]

I would totally fill out that survey, myself.

 

[Pilgrim]

It's not the workplace. It's not the local mall or a government department. It's a social group. If I went to a dinner with friends and they passed me a survey to fill out asking me what I'd like to do for before dinner entertainment I'd be a bit weirded out, wouldn't you?

It's the same thing. I don't want homework or to be treated like a statistic. Talk to me. Engage me in conversation about gaming. Have a session where instead of playing, you get together and talk about this stuff. But don't give me a form to fill out.

I tend to agree. Gaming is a hobby, it's something everyone gets together for to escape the day to day hustle. Surveys get the job done, but I think as Kzach said, a better way would be to have a Session 0, in which the players and GM are just getting together to talk about the game and maybe work on characters.