Blood Jester
First Post
I have gamed with an uninvolved audience, and I would rather not.
DMing with an Audience
- Thread starter Midknightsun
- Start date
No observers -- if you're going to watch for more than a few (which is subjective, but generally less than 15) minutes you have to play. This goes for girlfriends, family members, friends in from out of town, and anyone else who might show up to a game session who's not part of the normal group. This has been my strict policy for many years and it's always worked well, and has even managed to recruit occasional new regulars into the group -- "non-gamers" who wouldn't normally have wanted to play but once they were "forced" to had enough fun that they decided to keep coming back. (Note that I've always run games in non-public places; in a public place I imagine I'd have to be a litle more flexible with this rule, but I suspect I'd still strongly encourage anyone watching us for more than a few minutes to sit down and join in the game rather than stand on the side watching -- you'll have more fun, and won't be as much of a distraction from the other players.)
And yes it helps that I run a casual-style game that doesn't involve a lot of complicated plots that carry over from session to session, that I don't expect the players to be experts on the rules (or even to know them at all), and that I tend to keep a file of pregen "extra" characters on hand (although we've also had "guest players" take on nonconventional roles such as 0-level pack-bearers or men-at-arms, intelligent swords, mounts, or familiars, captured/charmed monsters, 2 players running a single character as a team, and so on).
And yes it helps that I run a casual-style game that doesn't involve a lot of complicated plots that carry over from session to session, that I don't expect the players to be experts on the rules (or even to know them at all), and that I tend to keep a file of pregen "extra" characters on hand (although we've also had "guest players" take on nonconventional roles such as 0-level pack-bearers or men-at-arms, intelligent swords, mounts, or familiars, captured/charmed monsters, 2 players running a single character as a team, and so on).
SavageRobby
First Post
We've had observers in our game before. One was the wife of one of our players ... who eventually expressed her own interest in playing. One has been my own 7 year old (girl). Our group is large enough that we often have a few people kicking back, and able to make coffee or chat with the observers or whatever, and also laid-back enough (we're all married and most of us have kids, so we're all familiar with distractions) that the observers haven't ever been a problem for us.
That said, as a DM, I find its hard enough to move the game along and make sure the players are enjoying the game. I don't worry about the audience, and definitely don't try to include them in the game or entertain them (they're not playing, after all).
That said, as a DM, I find its hard enough to move the game along and make sure the players are enjoying the game. I don't worry about the audience, and definitely don't try to include them in the game or entertain them (they're not playing, after all).
TarionzCousin
Second Most Angelic Devil Ever
I picture them in Piratecat's underwear, too.Piratecat said:
I have been a teacher, so I am somewhat used to uninvolved observers. I don't think it's the best thing for a game, though; I would rather involve the watchers somehow. Many people who are self-conscious in front of an audience are less self-conscious when everyone in the room is involved in the game.
DonTadow
First Post
If you have an emersive campaign, observers can be even more trouble. My experiences have beenAramax said:
1. fell asleep and snored loudly for the 4 hour game
2. talked the entire time about out of game stuff
3. started an argument and stormed out
I keep a bevy of brainless fighters on file for this situation. Good thing about d and d is that theres always some wandering mercenary around to throw int a module: bodyguard, mercenaries, city guards, traveling heroes ect.
Midknightsun
Explorer
Some good ideas. Thanks folks! Its nice to know that I'm not the only one that finds it annoying and assumes they'll be a distraction when they're not into the game.
Well, we'll see how it goes tonight.
Well, we'll see how it goes tonight.
Arnwyn
First Post
I have the exact same feelings on the matter as you.Midknightsun said:
Observers are neither welcome nor tolerated. Now, this is theory for me, as we haven't really experienced this problem - we play at relatively set times/days in my rec-room, so there isn't much of an opportunity for observers or people being there who don't belong.
DonTadow
First Post
The one time i ever brought an observer to the game turned out tragically for my character and me.
I had a friend whom had played 2ndedition and wanted to watch a third edition game. I invited her to the group i was in. I was playing a brash Jonathan sparrow halfling rip off with a sharp tongue and grapefruit bigger than his brain. This session was the "big bad" battle and climax to the adventure. The person I brought was asked to join in and played a simple NPC Fighter with amazing cleave. She was given the direction to just bash whatever she sees. The combat lasted 15 rounds, and my guest passed on her turn 13 times. Because she was my guest, we were paired up in the fight and my poor halfling, under a confusion spell since turn 2, wandered into attack after attack while my guest watched. Soon my poor halfling was dead. As a player, I learned never to bring someone not interested in the game again. Soon after that the DM let me ressurect my character because of the bad circumstances, but that didn't sit too well with the group and eventually me and hte character were let go out of the group.
I had a friend whom had played 2ndedition and wanted to watch a third edition game. I invited her to the group i was in. I was playing a brash Jonathan sparrow halfling rip off with a sharp tongue and grapefruit bigger than his brain. This session was the "big bad" battle and climax to the adventure. The person I brought was asked to join in and played a simple NPC Fighter with amazing cleave. She was given the direction to just bash whatever she sees. The combat lasted 15 rounds, and my guest passed on her turn 13 times. Because she was my guest, we were paired up in the fight and my poor halfling, under a confusion spell since turn 2, wandered into attack after attack while my guest watched. Soon my poor halfling was dead. As a player, I learned never to bring someone not interested in the game again. Soon after that the DM let me ressurect my character because of the bad circumstances, but that didn't sit too well with the group and eventually me and hte character were let go out of the group.
