Screening Potential Players

[Grogg of the North]

So while I'm enjoying my break from DMing, I'm starting to get the itch to run again. And while the remains of my old group gets together on roll20, I really do miss the more social aspects of gaming. While I wouldn't mind trying to recruit some new players, I've had a lot of bad luck in the past. (Clashing personalities, different views on playing, etc.)

What I'm wondering is if anyone here runs a "Pre-game Interview" to help screen out players that may be a problem. I've seen a lot of blogs that offer potential questions and ideas on where to meet but none of them have had any advice on how to not turn it into a job interview. Also, despite often being behind the DM screen, I really don't like conflict. If that makes any sense. What advice can you share with me, oh great denizens of enworld?

 

[Unwise]

Personally, I would run a one-shot adventure with whoever wants to come.

I would make it something rules light with a lot of room for fun and creative stuff. The reason being that is the type of game I want to run and that is not for everybody. If I am going to peeve off a player, I want them to know it in this first game.

In the past I have run one-shot adventures of Paranoia. It is comedy in which characters die constantly, get put in impossible situations by the GM and are expected to laugh at it all. If someone can enjoy that, then they are someone I want to game with.

 

[willvr]

Hmmm.

I've never really had a problem. Online, I ask for a concept; and usually that makes them need to think a bit before throwing everything away. It means they're invested in the game, more than being a smart-aleck. Or whatever.

Offline, I just meet them once, run a potential quick solo session. The end of a solo session usually tells me enough about whether or not they'll get on with my group.

Interviews? Eh. Makes it feel too much like a job. Just like the writing sample often used; I think it probably drives away some very good RPers whilst it does probably stop the problem elements.

 

[Unwise]

I'm actually really jealous of anybody who has enough gamers around there area that they can afford to be picky. As for online games, where is the common meeting place to set those up and join them? Do people normally use these forums? Sorry if that is deraily.

 

[delericho]

Because we organise our games through a not-quite-Meetup site but the actual games take place in the homes of members, we do indeed need a process for vetting new members.

Basically, new members to the group aren't allowed to attend any non-public events until one of the following:

- An existing member of the group vouches for him.

- He arranges a meet with one of the leadership team in a suitable public venue.

- He attends one of our semi-regular Meet'n'Greet sessions that, again, take place in a suitable public venue.

As a group, we don't vet members for things like playstyle, or even things like cheating or munchkinism. Individual GMs are free to invite or uninvite people to their games, under whatever criteria they choose (or, indeed, no criteria at all). Likewise, event hosts, who may or may not be the GM, are free to bar whoever they want for whatever reason they want (or no reason at all).

We've only once had to ask a member to leave. I'm not going to say why, though - it's not something I feel comfortable discussing publicly.

We do, however, have three members who are quietly uninvited from a lot of games, due to a record of non-attendance (either simple no-shows or last-minute cancellations). They're not bad guys, but when there are 7 people wanting into a game with 5 spots available, we can't really justify letting someone reserve a spot knowing they'll probably cancel an hour before - better to give it to someone else.

 

[willvr]

As for online games, where is the common meeting place to set those up and join them? Do people normally use these forums? Sorry if that is deraily.

I go to three sites for that; including this one. If you really want more info; PM me and I'll discuss it there.

 

[delericho]

I'm actually really jealous of anybody who has enough gamers around there area that they can afford to be picky.

The Falkirk RPG group I linked to before didn't exist five years ago. It now has 50 members (although it should perhaps be noted that we have maybe 20 'active' members, and a bunch of people who show up very occasionally if at all). So it's not impossible to build these things and make a success of them.

My advice in these matters is to not wait for someone else to set up such a group in your area. If you do, chances are, it will never happen. Instead, if you want a group in your area, you should probably start one.

We started out on Meetup, simply because that was the first such site I was aware of. We later migrated to Groupspaces before migrating away again to our own custom site.

(The two 'named' sites all did us well enough for a time, but in both cases they introduced some changes we didn't care for, leading us to conclude that a custom site was better for us. However, for a new group I would strongly recommend using one of the 'named' sites - it's just easier, and you're more likely to be found by interested people.)

If and when you do set up a group, make sure you immediately schedule a first meeting, probably to occur 2-3 weeks in the future, and in some suitable public place (we used a local pub). And whatever happens do not cancel that event. I cannot stress that enough - if that first event doesn't happen, you might as well shut up shop.

At that first meeting, you have two goals: firstly, to meet some people in a relaxed atmosphere, and secondly to schedule a second event. This latter is quite important - it will be easier to get people to fix a time when they're there than if you're relying on email (or a website) to do it. You're not really looking to do any gaming at this point, though of course it's likely you'll talk about gaming!

And after that, it's mostly just a matter of maintenance. Make sure that the site remains up-to-date and active - if you have a game session, turn it into a Meetup event beforehand, post a review of it afterwards, and then set up the next event. A Meetup group that has lots of events going on is much more likely to attract new members than one that had a couple of meetings and then died.

(One strong temptation is to set up the group, recruit the half-dozen players you need, and then let the Meetup site fade away. Don't do that! Yes, having recruited your half-dozen players, you don't really need the site any more... until one of them moves away, that is. Better to do the work once, keep the site going, and keep recruiting players. Run some one-shots for different players, or something. Eventually, you'll reach the point where the group can sustain two ongoing campaigns at once, and then it really starts to snowball.)

Incidentally, all of this is much easier if you're starting with part of a gaming group already in place - if there are three of you at the outset, that's enough to make that first meeting worthwhile even if nobody else shows, and enough to keep the group going while waiting for others to sign up. I didn't have that luxury, but was really lucky in that the group attracted two new members right away and then a further three before the second meeting.

One thing of interest - my experience with the group demonstrated to me that there are actually quite a lot of gamers in my area, but I would never have known it. Most groups form and are then 'closed' - they don't really allow new members unless someone leaves... but of course at that point they probably don't know any other gamers, because they're all in their own 'closed' little cells. Without a means to recruit new people when needed, and without enough people to carry on without new blood, the group folds. That's really rather unfortunate, especially since FLGS are a bit thin on the ground here.

So, yeah, my experience with setting up a Meetup has been hugely positive. I do recommend at least giving it a go. And if there's anything I've not covered that you'd like to know, please don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Unwise]

Thanks very much for the replies guys, that is really helpful to know. I am tossing up whether to start a new gaming group as my current one only plays about once a month. The tips gave me a lot of food for thought thanks.