Back into the fold?

[Sound of Azure]

Have you ever given a game you left another chance?

This is what I'm contemplating right now. I left a game last year mainly because of differences with the DM over the level of arbitrary decisions that he made at the time, and because of the large number of house rules he had in his game, with no recording of such rules. We were merely expected to remember them all.

Finally, all the characters appeared to have been powered up a lot... not through power gaming or clever use of the rules, but by the DM just giving out extra abilities (and him wondering why we cut through enemies like a hot knife through butter).

I found that really annoying, which was why I left. I'd been pretty much out of contact with everyone from that gaming circle since that time until last week. The one remaining player from that game (2 others had left the week after I did) said that this game had resumed at the end of last year. He says that it's gotten a lot better now, and that he's really enjoying the plots that are going on. He also told me there's a spot at the table free, if I want it.

I have to say, I enjoyed that DMs plots when we were gaming together, but his (then) taste in implementing them wasn't my cup of tea. From the player's description though, the power levels are still really high and the DM is still giving out arbitrary (to me) abilities. I admit, it could just be a failure on the part of the player to accurately describe what's going on.

Should I give the DM the benefit of the doubt and give it another try? Does anyone have a similar experience?

 

[Olaf the Stout]

I say give it a go. You'll find out in a session or two whether or not things have changed or if everything is still the same. If it is still the same, then just politely excuse yourself. This isn't David's game that you are referring to is it?

Olaf the Stout

 

[Sound of Azure]

This isn't David's game that you are referring to is it?

Olaf the Stout

Nah, this is the group from before David.

 

[William drake]

Have you ever given a game you left another chance?

This is what I'm contemplating right now. I left a game last year mainly because of differences with the DM over the level of arbitrary decisions that he made at the time, and because of the large number of house rules he had in his game, with no recording of such rules. We were merely expected to remember them all.

Finally, all the characters appeared to have been powered up a lot... not through power gaming or clever use of the rules, but by the DM just giving out extra abilities (and him wondering why we cut through enemies like a hot knife through butter).

I found that really annoying, which was why I left. I'd been pretty much out of contact with everyone from that gaming circle since that time until last week. The one remaining player from that game (2 others had left the week after I did) said that this game had resumed at the end of last year. He says that it's gotten a lot better now, and that he's really enjoying the plots that are going on. He also told me there's a spot at the table free, if I want it.

I have to say, I enjoyed that DMs plots when we were gaming together, but his (then) taste in implementing them wasn't my cup of tea. From the player's description though, the power levels are still really high and the DM is still giving out arbitrary (to me) abilities. I admit, it could just be a failure on the part of the player to accurately describe what's going on.

Should I give the DM the benefit of the doubt and give it another try? Does anyone have a similar experience?

Sure, if you're missing it GO, and if the same things happen again, well you can either drop out, or, since its been a year, try talking to the DM again: get the rules on paper. On the power level, that's just some DM's things...they want to do the cool things that sometimes take a long time to get to, and they dont want to wait. That's fine, but if that's not for you, don't sweat it. Just try it.

 

[S'mon]

The GM sounds a lot like me, and you're clearly not a good fit for his GMing style. I think you should stay away from him.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Sound of Azure, you may or may not be aware that Game Quest has just recently changed owners (the previous ones retired after running the store for about 13 years). The new owners are gamers and are looking at running a whole heap of games in the store (on weeknights and weekends). If you are interested I would suggest popping in and having a look.

They are after both players and DM's so you could either join a game or run one of your own. They have already condensed a lot of the puzzles and shelving and set up an area in the store for gaming. If everything goes as they plan it could be a great place to meet up with fellow gamers. I know how insular the Adelaide gaming community can be.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Sound of Azure]

Sound of Azure, you may or may not be aware that Game Quest has just recently changed owners (the previous ones retired after running the store for about 13 years). The new owners are gamers and are looking at running a whole heap of games in the store (on weeknights and weekends). If you are interested I would suggest popping in and having a look.

They are after both players and DM's so you could either join a game or run one of your own. They have already condensed a lot of the puzzles and shelving and set up an area in the store for gaming. If everything goes as they plan it could be a great place to meet up with fellow gamers. I know how insular the Adelaide gaming community can be.

Olaf the Stout

I didn't know that. Thanks for the heads up, I'll check it out over the next day or two and see what's going on.

It might even get me off of my butt and inspire me to finish writing more gaming material.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

I didn't know that. Thanks for the heads up, I'll check it out over the next day or two and see what's going on.

It might even get me off of my butt and inspire me to finish writing more gaming material.

The new owners have only been in for about a week and a half now so it has all happened very quickly. The new owners seem very friendly and more than happy to talk about what their plans are and all things gaming in general. It was sad to see Rosemary and Richard retire (the previous owners) but it is good to know that the business looks to be in good hands.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Aeric]

I have had a similar experience. Several years ago, I was in a D&D campaign. The group was comprised of nearly all of my gamer friends. The DM was running Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, which is basically one humongous dungeon crawl. Well, by about 8th level, I was bored to tears, so I quit the game. It was the first time I had ever actually quit a game, and I was very upfront with the DM and other players about my reasons for doing so. They were sad to see me go, but respected my decision.

A couple of months later, I was still without a game. I was bored and missed hanging out with my friends. I decided to go back to that game, this time with the foreknowledge of what awaited me. The DM welcomed me back and even came up with a cool (if somewhat contrived) way to bring my original character back from the dead.

Once I accepted the game for what it was (a beer-and-pretzels dungeon crawl), instead of what I had hoped it would be (an epic tale of drama and adventure), I had a lot more fun. Granted, it was a relief when the mega-module was finally over, and it turned me off to dungeons for life, but I had fun hanging out with my friends and goofing around.

My advice would be to have realistic expectations. It could be that the DM has changed for the better, but it is just as likely (if not moreso) that he is still up to his old tricks, or perhaps an entirely new set of tricks which are just as annoying (or moreso) as the last set.

In other words, hope for the best, but be ready for the worst. :\

 

[Sound of Azure]

I have had a similar experience. Several years ago, I was in a D&D campaign. The group was comprised of nearly all of my gamer friends. The DM was running Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, which is basically one humongous dungeon crawl. Well, by about 8th level, I was bored to tears, so I quit the game. It was the first time I had ever actually quit a game, and I was very upfront with the DM and other players about my reasons for doing so. They were sad to see me go, but respected my decision.

A couple of months later, I was still without a game. I was bored and missed hanging out with my friends. I decided to go back to that game, this time with the foreknowledge of what awaited me. The DM welcomed me back and even came up with a cool (if somewhat contrived) way to bring my original character back from the dead.

Once I accepted the game for what it was (a beer-and-pretzels dungeon crawl), instead of what I had hoped it would be (an epic tale of drama and adventure), I had a lot more fun. Granted, it was a relief when the mega-module was finally over, and it turned me off to dungeons for life, but I had fun hanging out with my friends and goofing around.

My advice would be to have realistic expectations. It could be that the DM has changed for the better, but it is just as likely (if not moreso) that he is still up to his old tricks, or perhaps an entirely new set of tricks which are just as annoying (or moreso) as the last set.

In other words, hope for the best, but be ready for the worst. :\

LOL.

I fled the country* in the middle of Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil.

That's some good advice, thanks Aeric. I'm trying not to let previous experiences colour my view, but it is important to be aware. It's a question of whether the good things outweigh the things that irritate me, I guess.

Even if I don't join on an ongoing basis, it'll be nice to catch up with everyone.

*It was just an overseas holiday, actually.

The new owners have only been in for about a week and a half now so it has all happened very quickly. The new owners seem very friendly and more than happy to talk about what their plans are and all things gaming in general. It was sad to see Rosemary and Richard retire (the previous owners) but it is good to know that the business looks to be in good hands.

Wow, that's uncanny. I was only in there about two weeks ago when I bought the PHB2. First Shin Tokyo moves into Rundle Mall, and now GQ has new owners!