game conduct...am i being anal?

[clark411]

If you think it's necessary, you should do it. If your players are more of the diplomatic types.. you may ask for opinions from players about what they do / don't want at the table as well.

Personally, I hate reading at the table, when it isn't looking up rules for this or that. Drawing, I don't have a problem with as you can be listening intently while doing it, and some players find themselves most creative when doing so. I doodle now and then... its not like i want to stare at my DM, or anyone for that matter, for 6 hours at a stretch.

Also, yeah I can see how it's offensive to have people talking about another game at your game. Asking that be removed is fine, after all, ya got all week to talk about other games- and only # hours to play yours.

 

[Lela]

Personally, I think your rules are fine.

As for me, I only have rules I put on myself. I call out three steps ahead of the inititiave order often too get players thinking about their actions and bring their attention back (should it be lost, I can't watch everyone all the time) soon enough to prevent it from inpacting the rest of the table.

 

[RangerWickett]

I have an artist in my group, so I actually am pleased when she draws during the game, because she usually draws things as they happen. It takes two different parts of the brain to think visually and think audibly, so she can draw while she listens and talks. That's not really a problem, and I get fan art!

I hope your rules help. If they don't, consider that maybe you're not keeping the group's attention as fully as they'd like, and try to get more situations that require their full attention all at the same time. And if the party splits, cut them some slack; they shouldn't know what's going on anyway, so if they want to read or go cook a snack, why not, eh?

 

[fusangite]

Your rules are not unreasonable. That said, has the conduct around your table recently worsened? Has something changed recently: a new set of players or new direction for the campaign? It seems to me as though your players are trying to send you the message that your campaign bores them and they would rather be doing something else. You might want to ask them why they have become so bored when you announce the new table rules.

 

[Nifft]

Discuss it with the players before a session. Let them know why -- that it's not because you're a power-hungry mini-dictator, but because you want to enhance their experience, which can only happen when everyone is on board.

 

[Djeta Thernadier]

#1. No reading books or drawing at the table ( unless you're looking something up for what is happening in the game). Too many times i have people who are reading books and planning ahead. Then are like "What's going on? Who is that guy?"

If they are reading books other than flipping through the players handbook to look something up for the game they are in now, then by all means, make them stop. That's just plain rude.

If they are drawing something other than their character or a scene from the game the are in now, again...rude, but be a little more lenient here. Sometimes an artist is just inspired. But make the other players keep their questions about the drawings to themselves until the end of the session. And the artist can't be taking time from the game (ie. yeah I'll roll in a minute when I'm done sketching this orc...).

#2. No talking about other campaigns while we're playing. We have other people in our group who DM. I think it's rude when players ask question about the other guys game. This just doesn't happen when i'm DMing. I just think this is rude, you come to play one game don't waste time talking about an another.

I agree. But during any gaming session you should allow the players short breaks because it's just human nature to want to talk to your friends; esp when you only see them once a week or so for games.

So what do you guys think...am i being anal? or are these good conduct rules. Let me know some conduct rules you have at your table

I think they're fine. We don't have any hardcore conduct rules really. The only problem my group has is non game related chatting , but we've been getting better since instituting breaks.

 

[Joseph Elric Smith]

after last nights game I'm putting in some game conduct rules at my table. I kinda hate to do this as i feel like I'm treating my group like a bunch of kids (we're 25-35), however i think this is gotta happen.

#1. No reading books or drawing at the table ( unless you're looking something up for what is happening in the game). Too many times i have people who are reading books and planning ahead. Then are like "What's going on? Who is that guy?"

#2. No talking about other campaigns while we're playing. We have other people in our group who DM. I think it's rude when players ask question about the other guys game. This just doesn't happen when i'm DMing. I just think this is rude, you come to play one game don't waste time talking about an another.

So what do you guys think...am i being anal? or are these good conduct rules. Let me know some conduct rules you have at your table

I guess the question is why are they doing it? I mean in one of the games I play in, I read a book all th time,because of th game masters style, he spend about 30 minutes dealing with each character having them role play things, so it can be an hour before he gets back to my character, so I read, to stop me form being bored, and also to stop me from kibitzing with the other players who aren't doing anything, and detracting from the gm.
I guess a lot of it is what your group enjoys, if you have a problem, by all means let the group know,but not every one games for the same reason, if I tried these rules out in the three games I am in, I wouldn't have any players, and I have my doubts about whether I would show up , at a game, liek that, My goodness, sitting there for 8 hours only speaking of the current campaign, and no socializing, seems a bit too intense for me, but then again i game to be social, and such.
ken

 

[JoeGKushner]

I guess the question is why are they doing it? I mean in one of the games I play in, I read a book all th time,because of th game masters style, he spend about 30 minutes dealing with each character having them role play things, so it can be an hour before he gets back to my character, so I read, to stop me form being bored, and also to stop me from kibitzing with the other players who aren't doing anything, and detracting from the gm.

I do the same thing with painting miniatures. GM has to take some time to focus on other characters is no problem with me. GM requries me to pay attention to something that has nothing to do with me and that I wouldn't be aware of is a problem. My time is just as valuable as everyone elses.

 

[night_lord]

"Quote: Your rules are not unreasonable. That said, has the conduct around your table recently worsened? Has something changed recently: a new set of players or new direction for the campaign? It seems to me as though your players are trying to send you the message that your campaign bores them and they would rather be doing something else. You might want to ask them why they have become so bored when you announce the new table rules"

We have a guy who, because of schedual doesn't play often. He is bad for distracting others. I've talked to him about it and he has gotten better, just not a lot better.

"Quote: guess the question is why are they doing it? I mean in one of the games I play in, I read a book all th time,because of th game masters style, he spend about 30 minutes dealing with each character having them role play things, so it can be an hour before he gets back to my character, so I read, to stop me form being bored, and also to stop me from kibitzing with the other players who aren't doing anything, and detracting from the gm.
I guess a lot of it is what your group enjoys, if you have a problem, by all means let the group know,but not every one games for the same reason, if I tried these rules out in the three games I am in, I wouldn't have any players, and I have my doubts about whether I would show up , at a game, liek that, My goodness, sitting there for 8 hours only speaking of the current campaign, and no socializing, seems a bit too intense for me, but then again i game to be social, and such.
ken"

Well I don't really split the group up very much. As a group we decided that we would do this as little as possible so there wouldn't be these periods where people were taking naps. As well I'm not saying that I expect them to sit there and ONLY focus on the game, if I'm giving that impression then you're misunderstanding me. I know that it's impossible and not fun to not socialize. I'm talking about extremes here

BTW how do you do quotes now? There used to be a button to hit. I'm just not seeing it (Blind i guess) anyone wanna inform me how this works?

 

[mythago]

Make the distracting guy pay the pig. Every. Single. Time.