D&D General Just sweeping dirty dishes under the rug: D&D, Sexism, and the '70s

[tetrasodium]

First and foremost, i'm not from USA, but from small EU country. I also lived in Germany (Munich),Austria (Vienna) and Italy (Milano). From personal experience, organised play just isn't big thing here. Even in game stores, people who do play, are mostly already formed friend/acquaintance groups that just need place to play ( although, in game stores, there are more MtG players than ttrpg players). Gaming conventions aren't really that numerous also ( USA has way more than whole Europe combined).

In my hometown (around 1 million people) we have 1 convention of sf/fantasy that has organised play. Most of people who play there know each other or at least have someone they know in common, which is mixed bag. If you have personal grudge with someone who is also gamer, there is good chance you will bump into each other, maybe even be in the same game. When it comes to stores (really, only one store in town with game room) and play, they have pretty lax rules - don't disturb people at other tables and don't make mess ( also, no smoking and drinking).

In essence, when it comes to hobby in my neck of the woods, it's mostly fragmented into small home groups. And i don't particularly care what other people do in their home games.

You yourself brought up the point that people & people & sometimes thast means they suck earlier in the thread. I wasn't suggesting that most players being in small private groups was unusual by noting how play in public spaces (flgs/libraries/etc) was more common these days, simply that those kinds of public spaces have an advantage in the form of someone to report a problem to. I've played & hosted games in private settings (ie home/apartment/back porch/etc), it's even more common for A doesn't like B to result in someone being uninvited or told to uninvite themselves if they can't get over it.

 

[Gradine]

Wait .... Paul McCartney was actually George Lazenby?

 

[Faolyn]

I think I remember seeing a "recent" drawing of a female orc in an apron holding a rolling pin.
For me, that's not D&D.

Why not? Are you saying orcs can't cook?

 

[Bedrockgames]

You yourself brought up the point that people & people & sometimes thast means they suck earlier in the thread. I wasn't suggesting that most players being in small private groups was unusual by noting how play in public spaces (flgs/libraries/etc) was more common these days, simply that those kinds of public spaces have an advantage in the form of someone to report a problem to. I've played & hosted games in private settings (ie home/apartment/back porch/etc), it's even more common for A doesn't like B to result in someone being uninvited or told to uninvite themselves if they can't get over it.

I've pretty much always played with small groups of people I am friends with. I've played in game stores on occasion, but even then it was with people I am friends with

 

[GrimCo]

You yourself brought up the point that people & people & sometimes thast means they suck earlier in the thread. I wasn't suggesting that most players being in small private groups was unusual by noting how play in public spaces (flgs/libraries/etc) was more common these days, simply that those kinds of public spaces have an advantage in the form of someone to report a problem to. I've played & hosted games in private settings (ie home/apartment/back porch/etc), it's even more common for A doesn't like B to result in someone being uninvited or told to uninvite themselves if they can't get over it.

I'm just saying that is hard to ban people from the hobby when most people engage with hobby in private setting. In those instances, only thing one can do is not to engage with people one doesn't like. I agree, it's easier in convention or organised setting, but, as i said, that's not really a thing over here. Public spaces usually means cafe with quiet atmosphere, although we do have cafe with game room ( owner is my HS buddy, it's nice place, has solid ttrpg library, big collection of board games, most people that regularly come know each other privately and it's all around chill place). But, at the end of the day, it's still cafe bar and waiters are there to make and serve drinks, not act as security. They can ask someone to leave if person antagonizes other patrons ( or call cops if they act aggressive).

For instance, my other hobby was airsoft. I came to one big organised event and said- never more. Type of people there just weren't my cup of tee. I paid for 2 day event, left mid day 1. I know now what type of people frequent those events and there is no point complaining. Sucks for me, but it is what it is. I stick to playing pretend war with people i know in home games. Sometimes we need to pick our battles.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I've pretty much always played with small groups of people I am friends with. I've played in game stores on occasion, but even then it was with people I am friends with

I have played with groups of strangers but rarely, and in my experience it simply isn't as enjoyable. I would nearly always prefer a home game or one otherwise with friends.

 

[Mannahnin]

I have played with groups of strangers but rarely, and in my experience it simply isn't as enjoyable. I would nearly always prefer a home game or one otherwise with friends.

I play occasionally at conventions. IME over a weekend I can expect 0-1 actively bad games on average, a few mediocre, and 1-2 great ones. The great ones are obviously a good time. Some sessions (good, bad, or ok) are opportunities to try out new systems or just to see how another GM runs a game I am already familiar with. Good sessions are usually a good way to meet a GM to look for in future years/convention sign-ups. All are a chance to meet other good and fun players with whom to play other games. Maybe even recruit for home games.

I agree that RPGs definitely benefit from knowing the other participants and having established chemistry and communication, but games with strangers can definitely be good.

 

[Gradine]

It's worth noting that "public spaces for this hobby" includes social media spaces like Twitter and Bluesky.

Also, incidentally...

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

I agree that RPGs definitely benefit from knowing the other participants and having established chemistry and communication, but games with strangers can definitely be good.

THANK YOU!

I was trying to come up with a name for what I do here.

Oh, no. That's a euphemism, isn't it?

 

[Micah Sweet]

I play occasionally at conventions. IME over a weekend I can expect 0-1 actively bad games on average, a few mediocre, and 1-2 great ones. The great ones are obviously a good time. Some sessions (good, bad, or ok) are opportunities to try out new systems or just to see how another GM runs a game I am already familiar with. Good sessions are usually a good way to meet a GM to look for in future years/convention sign-ups. All are a chance to meet other good and fun players with whom to play other games. Maybe even recruit for home games.

I agree that RPGs definitely benefit from knowing the other participants and having established chemistry and communication, but games with strangers can definitely be good.

I like to vet new players ideally before they're invited to join our table. The last four new players we got came to us this way, and it worked out just fine.