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<blockquote data-quote="ichabod" data-source="post: 1319284" data-attributes="member: 1257">Several years ago I ran a GURPS campaign that was ruined by a bad player. The details are not necessary, but it made me consider these very issues. So when I started up my 3rd edition campaign, I decided you would have to come play one session with the group, and then the group would decide if they wanted you to join permanently. This did not work out. The group was uncomfortable making such decisions, I was uncomfortable making such decisions, because unless you were an obvious jerk there was no good reason to reject someone. And if you were an obvious jerk we wouldn't have invited you to play the first time.The whole questionaire thing you describe sounds even worse. I have come to the conclusion that while this is a real problem, it cannot be dealt with proactively (beyond obvious jerks). My current strategy is that if there is room and someone wants to join, I tell the other players. If no one has a problem with this person (that is, if no one thinks he's an obvious jerk), then we let them play. No questionaires, no trial sessions, just let them play. If they do cause problems, then you deal with it. I (the DM) say &quot;look, this thing you're doing is keeping people from having fun, and I would appreciate if you tone it down.&quot; If something can be worked out, cool. If not, they get booted. At that point it is their problem.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="ichabod, post: 1319284, member: 1257"] Several years ago I ran a GURPS campaign that was ruined by a bad player. The details are not necessary, but it made me consider these very issues. So when I started up my 3rd edition campaign, I decided you would have to come play one session with the group, and then the group would decide if they wanted you to join permanently. This did not work out. The group was uncomfortable making such decisions, I was uncomfortable making such decisions, because unless you were an obvious jerk there was no good reason to reject someone. And if you were an obvious jerk we wouldn't have invited you to play the first time. The whole questionaire thing you describe sounds even worse. I have come to the conclusion that while this is a real problem, it cannot be dealt with proactively (beyond obvious jerks). My current strategy is that if there is room and someone wants to join, I tell the other players. If no one has a problem with this person (that is, if no one thinks he's an obvious jerk), then we let them play. No questionaires, no trial sessions, just let them play. If they do cause problems, [b]then[/b] you deal with it. I (the DM) say "look, this thing you're doing is keeping people from having fun, and I would appreciate if you tone it down." If something can be worked out, cool. If not, they get booted. At that point it is their problem. [/QUOTE]

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