Chicago Gameday - Last Comments then to the Archive!

[Desdichado]

Mark, I understand the headache's it puts you through, but in reality, what's a guy like me supposed to do? I was one of the initial folks calling for M&M, which ended up being one of the most popular calls for games that went out. Since no M&M game has come out, I went for the next runner up that I called for, which is CoC. Am I supposed to keep a slot open just in case my first choice becomes available and because I did so miss out on playing my second and third choices?

If I recall, last time there was plenty of switching, and even at the game day itself, one of the games was a no-show and we ended up playing what was essentially a pick-up game of d20 Modern. If you demand too much rigidity in the schedule, you run the risk of folks not having games to play, or just being stuck in whatever game is left regardless of how much interest they have in it. For me, for example, I have no interest in playing D&D games -- I can play those anytime, and if I'm going to drive all the way to Chicago, I want to play something that I can't play around here as easily.

Anyway, just tossing up a devil's advocate position. My comment was really pretty much a throw-away -- I doubt at this point that M&M is going to materialize, so of the games offered, I've already got my best schedule.

 

[Mark]

Is this the main thread for all games, or should I promote my Aberrant game on the RPG.net boards? I just realized that there might be separation between d20 and non-d20 games in this way.

Thanks for clearing up the games for us (and so quickly). That makes it much easier on everyone. There's never been a problem with having d20 games at the gameday, so I've put it on the schedule. Hopefully no one will mind posting on one board or the other, whereever the game happens to be scheduled, to sign up and play. Feel free to do whatever cross promotional posting for your game that you would like to do. In fact, I encourgae people to post to both threads even if it is only to say "Hello" and that you are glad the gamedays have combined.

 

[mgrasso]

Thanks for clearing up the games for us (and so quickly). That makes it much easier on everyone. There's never been a problem with having d20 games at the gameday, so I've put it on the schedule. Hopefully no one will mind posting on one board or the other, whereever the game happens to be scheduled, to sign up and play. Feel free to do whatever cross promotional posting for your game that you would like to do. In fact, I encourgae people to post to both threads even if it is only to say "Hello" and that you are glad the gamedays have combined.

All right. Will this be the main "sign-up" thread, or will you be watching both boards? I'm off to at least promote my game over there.

Mike

 

[Mark]

Mark, I understand the headache's it puts you through...

If it was just me, it wouldn't be too much of a concern. I doubt I would have even brought it up, since I generally would prefer to just let the gamedays be what they becomes without having to step in an impose any sort of rules. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that many people are effected, and with each effect it becomes exponentially a problem. This leaves me in the position of having to suggest some sort of guidelines that people will hopefully honor of their own accord, or set hard and fast rules which I am loathe to do.

...but in reality, what's a guy like me supposed to do? I was one of the initial folks calling for M&M, which ended up being one of the most popular calls for games that went out. Since no M&M game has come out, I went for the next runner up that I called for, which is CoC. Am I supposed to keep a slot open just in case my first choice becomes available and because I did so miss out on playing my second and third choices?

If I recall, last time there was plenty of switching, and even at the game day itself, one of the games was a no-show and we ended up playing what was essentially a pick-up game of d20 Modern. If you demand too much rigidity in the schedule, you run the risk of folks not having games to play, or just being stuck in whatever game is left regardless of how much interest they have in it. For me, for example, I have no interest in playing D&D games -- I can play those anytime, and if I'm going to drive all the way to Chicago, I want to play something that I can't play around here as easily.

Anyway, just tossing up a devil's advocate position. My comment was really pretty much a throw-away -- I doubt at this point that M&M is going to materialize, so of the games offered, I've already got my best schedule.

If someone doesn't commit to running a game early enough to avoid problems with schedule, do you really feel that they are going to be able to run a game that you will enjoy? If the choice is between you being able to choose your games and stick with them, likely having a good time anyway, or switching from game to game and all sorts of people having problems because of that, which choice do you think it would be respectful to make?

Again, I prefer not to make hard and fast rules so I am at your mercy.

 

[tmaaas]

War: Age of Imperialism

Mark --

How about non-RPGs? I'd be willing to run a game of "War: Age of Imperialism" in the second slot.

War: Age of Imperialism is an empire-building game of colonization and conquest. It is similar to both Risk and Axis & Allies (down to the plastic minis) and lies between the two on the complexity scale. Participants will be asked to download and read a copy of the rules prior to the gameday (from
http://www.eaglegames.net/products/WAR_AOI/war_resources.shtml ).

The game is for 2 to 6 players; it will be hosted by Todd Sabin & Steve Kramer, so we would have room for four more players.

If this is an RPG only event, then we can skip this idea.

-- Todd Sabin

 

[Mark]

All right. Will this be the main "sign-up" thread, or will you be watching both boards? I'm off to at least promote my game over there.

I only have the responsibility of watching this board, though I do peek in on the other from time to time. Since the DMs are doing the work of creating the scenarios, I think it is a small price to pay for players to take the time to sign up on the board where the game is being offered. Hopefully everyone sees that as fair.

 

[MattyHelms]

In fact, I encourgae people to post to both threads even if it is only to say "Hello" and that you are glad the gamedays have combined.

Yup, what he said. Both sites attract some decent people who haven't really had a chance to game toghether before.

Later,
Matt

 

[Mark]

Re: War: Age of Imperialism

How about non-RPGs? I'd be willing to run a game of "War: Age of Imperialism" in the second slot.

Not a problem. It's now on the schedule.

If this is an RPG only event, then we can skip this idea.

Too late!

Sounds like fun. And since you can play it with only two people, even if no one else signs on you have yourself a game.

 

[mgrasso]

Yup, what he said. Both sites attract some decent people who haven't really had a chance to game toghether before.

Later,
Matt

Bridge the gap! Gamers Unite!

And thanks guys. Now that I've had my butt kicked in the right direction, I can finally start writing this morning. The time I waste on my day off work on the net...

Mike

 

[Desdichado]

If someone doesn't commit to running a game early enough to avoid problems with schedule, do you really feel that they are going to be able to run a game that you will enjoy? If the choice is between you being able to choose your games and stick with them, likely having a good time anyway, or switching from game to game and all sorts of people having problems because of that, which choice do you think it would be respectful to make?

Again, I prefer not to make hard and fast rules so I am at your mercy.

Sure, some of the best games I've ever played (including that pick-up game of d20 Modern, by the way) were essentially played on the fly. With still two weeks left, I would think that any game has plenty of time to get whatever preparation it needs. The other problem you address, though, that by constant schedule switching, other folks get stuck in games that suddenly don't have enough players, is more serious. But with the accelerated pace of scheduling this time around, things are a bit wacky. After all, the first game on the schedule was full before most of the other games were even on the schedule.

Again, I'm just tossing out hypotheticals -- I've got the games I want. But I can see how this would be very frustrating for folks who do not.