In Praise of Engaged Players

[MGibster]

My long term group has faced some challenges the last few years with two people moving to another country and one moving into hospice. Player A went ahead and recruited two of his board gaming buddies, players B and C. Players B and C weren't bad people, but they really weren't all that interested in RPGs. Player B's characters in particular ran away from every plot hook through his way while player C at least made a good faith effort to play at least. Player A was a big problem as he was quite clearly dissatisfied with the campaigns as he was often disengaged. Oftentimes he had no idea what was happening in the campaign and he'd make snide comments about how the game wasn't fun. I decided to end our last campaign earlier than planned and switched over to D&D which I knew everyone in the group liked. Before I could have a come to Jesus talk with him, he decided to withdraw taking with him his two friends. I was a little worried about finding enough players to form a viable group, but we got four new players, so now the group is bigger than it was before. This was the best move for all of us I suspect.

We played our first session today, and for the first time in quite a while, all of the players at the table were engaged. When I say engaged, what I mean is each player was enthusiastic about playing and fully participated. They were all interested in role playing, when there was information to be gathered they all made an effort to contribute, and when it was their turn in combat they were ready to go. It was the most fun I've had gaming in a long, long while.

So those of you who are forever or part-time players, know that you're appreciated. We can't have a decent game without you.

 

[payn]

Hear, hear!

 

[Jahydin]

Really is the best feeling as a GM.

My favorite is seeing a "When's the next game?" text.

 

[BookTenTiger]

That's fantastic!

How did you find your new players?

 

[Aldarc]

But when engaged players become married players then they stop showing up to game.

 

[MGibster]

How did you find your new players?

One of them was someone I had gamed with a few years back and the other two are gamers someone else in the group knew. If my current supply of players dries up I'll have to go searching for new ones. I'm all tapped out.

 

[Autumnal]

Engaged players make everything more fun and worthwhile, for sure.