4 Million gamers, 40,000 different styles of Play

[jodyjohnson]

Some times I wonder how any of us even find a group to play with considering the number of permutations of 'must haves' and 'turn offs' for a game or play style.

During the last 6 months or so, I've been making a concerted effort to meet other gamers and try different DMs and it seems like everyone wants something different in their game and none of them match anyone else. The sample size is small (maybe 30 or so in Lincoln) but there is a feeling that even the groups that seem to be rowing the same direction are making concessions and not really playing the way they wish they could.

Luckily, our group is at least somewhat homogenous, but when looking for a second group the task of finding a handful of people that agree seems improbable. Especially with expanding responsibilities and shrinking free time making people less willing to waste time in games where they aren't getting exactly what they are looking for.

 

[Mark]

How many gamestores are in Lincoln, NE (including comic stores that carry rpg stuff)?

 

[Crothian]

The secret is adaptibility and the williness to try out new things. One group I'm in we are heavy dungeon crawlers, another heavy role playing, another it is just casual fun. Three differnet styles, all fun, and I'm glad to be part of each group.

This summer I will go to conventions and play even mnor egames with different syles. I love to see how other people are playing the games. The more I see an am exposed to the better I feel my games become as I can vary the style a little more.

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

I think you're right. Whenever I play in games at Cons I get the feeling that there are so many different styles of play. So many of the styles of play take different approaches on story, combat, adventure and so on. I admit that Cons are not the best place to judge a player or a GM due to the limited time involves but it certainly offers a nice peek into the psyche of gamers.

 

[Henry]

I'll agree that there are many different styles, but there are two things to keep in mind:

1) Many people in groups these days started gaming with the gamers they currently play with, or they were responsible for bringing into the group new players; as such, their play styles grow together, or the new players' play style is influenced by the existing players.

2) Many times I find that on the Internet, people talk as if their play styles are miles apart from one another; when you actually get together to play, you find that their play styles are a lot closer than it appears in remote conversation. Admittedly, a person's style is thrown off, to be more accomodating at a convention or gameday, but in general styles are a lot closer than they appear.

With this and common courtesy and getting to know one another in mind, it's not that hard for people with professed different play styles to game together - heck, we've all been trained to work together in groups since we were little kids, or else our Kindergarten and Grade School teachers didn't do their jobs very well.

 

[der_kluge]

I've made this observation as well. I've also noted how many people secretly want to play system XYZ, but can't, because no one else wants to play it, but they can all agree on D&D. D&D, it seems, is the lowest common denominator of gaming.

 

[jodyjohnson]

How many gamestores are in Lincoln, NE (including comic stores that carry rpg stuff)?

2 Hobbytown (Hobbytown started here and still has the HQ) - mostly CCGs
1 Comic book - most RPG friendly
1 Wargames - more wargamers
2 Barnes & Noble
1 Mall bookstore
3 Gamestops/Software Etc (extremely limited)

University town so finding gamers isn't real hard. But everyone seems to play something different or with a different style. Or after talking with a DM/GM for 10 minutes it's pretty obvious that what he wants in a game doesn't come close to what I'm looking for.

I've also noticed a dislike for meeting gamers outside the normal circle as if they are too weird, or scary, or judgmental, or they might taint your game with new influences.

Available times is another factor. So even when the players agree, they can't find a good time to get together.


I'm not complaining as much as observing.

Given my limited time, and general unwillingness to make major concessions just to play, I really don't expect to find another compatible group in only 6 months or so.

 

[jmucchiello]

4 Million gamers, 40,000 different styles of Play

So you are saying that there are 99 other players with exactly your style? I don't buy it. I'd say 4 million games, 4 millions different style of play.

"We're all individuals here."