How Would You Get Back to In-Person Games?

[Retreater]

So like many of you, I have been unable to play in-person because of the pandemic. Now that the world seems to be getting back to normal, the gaming landscape seems to have changed.
My local gaming stores have transitioned to selling most of their products online, and the public gaming spaces are used to store and pack products for shipping. Numerous players in my area have moved or decided that they prefer online. Changes to my job mean there are fewer people at the office and because of a promotion, I'm not allowed to hang out with employees anyway.
So I'm in a moment where it looks like I have to regrow the local gaming culture if I ever want to play in person again.
Any tips? I'm in a pretty small town where traditionally people go home after work and don't leave.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Barring a local gaming store as an option, I'd see if there's a cafe or bar with a slow night (where even just adding five more people would be an improvement in sales for them) that would be interested in hosting. A local library might also be an option.

 

[Retreater]

A local library might also be an option.

I'm a manager of our local library, unfortunately for this purpose.
But the bar idea is something I'm considering.

 

[payn]

I had some luck about 10-12 years ago with meetup.com. You could also look into the local Adventure League or Pathfinder Society and see where folks are meeting. It's a good way to make new friends (and friends you dont necessarily want to game with too).

 

[BookTenTiger]

Setting up a casual game, like a dungeon crawl, where people don't have to commit to playing each week could be a good way to introduce the game to new players or attract veterans who are still hesitant to play in person.

After some time, you should be able to quickly identify a few players who want to commit to a more long-term campaign.

 

[Retreater]

I had some luck about 10-12 years ago with meetup.com. You could also look into the local Adventure League or Pathfinder Society and see where folks are meeting. It's a good way to make new friends (and friends you dont necessarily want to game with too).

Unfortunately we don't even have Adventure League or PFS here. Basically, I would be starting everything anew in a town of around 90,000 people.

 

[payn]

Unfortunately we don't even have Adventure League or PFS here. Basically, I would be starting everything anew in a town of around 90,000 people.

If you don't mind the work that might be a great way to find an in person gamer community. I recommend this beyond setting up a simple game and putting out flyers or social media posts. You'll get to meet far more people and have a greater pool to choose from when the in person group forms. Low commitment too, in case you get busy or dont like it.

 

[Marc_C]

One of my players invested in a very cool rpg table a few months before the pandemic began. We plan to play there when the restrictions permit. That should be in September if there is no 4th wave.

Now that we have tried VTT one player will be playing from his home because he lives a good distance from us. The owner of the table is also an IT so he will set up a camera/screen for him.

Because I'm at home all the time I'm very happy to GM at another players house. Gets me out of my four walls.

 

[dragoner]

My pre-pandemic game was in a pub, technically a tavern, that even featured an Elf Woman with a Bow on their sign at one time. Big tables, brick oven pizza, pints, and all that. Once it is over, which it is not yet, I feel I will be able to re-start a game there. We have a club, so we go in on a dead night, and the tavern is more than happy to have us liven up one of their week nights.

 

[Eltab]

I've been able to play in-person since last fall, at a FLGS, with everybody wearing masks (because several members of the group have different health issues). More vaccines -> fewer masks.