Has the RPGA failed?

[RangerWickett]

Pkitty, you are wise.

Create a new RPGA, like what you describe. I wanna join.

 

[Quartermoon]

Oh, and what PCat said.

I actually met PCat playing with the RPGA. He does an incredible dwarf. Our Judge dozed though much of the event, and he was STILL fantastic (hard to believe, but true).

 

[mcrow]

RPGA? It's ok, it gives people who don't have a group or can't find a game otherwise a chance to play. The problem I have with RPGA events in general is not the events but some of the players who show up. I have noticed that there are three type of players who show up to RPGA games, new players, good veteran players, and players that noone wants to games with. I that one player noone wants to play with shows up to every RPGA event there is a good chance he's going to wreck the fun for me so I won't go. I don't mind new players, in fact I like very much teaching newer players how to play or anwsering their questions if I can.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Pkitty, you are wise.

Create a new RPGA, like what you describe. I wanna join.

Almost sounds like something EN World has the registered numbers for it people participated.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

Almost sounds like something EN World has the registered numbers for it people participated.

We've already got a gamers-seeking-gamers forum. If we started actively organizing a few things, that could be cool. I'd volunteer to help.

We already have Ceramic DM and whatnot ... I think another peer-reviewed writing contest could produce modules for that sort of thing.

--fje

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

We've already got a gamers-seeking-gamers forum.

WotC once had this themselves, but shut it down. I believe the aspect of the RPGA of getting players together has been reduced to outright eliminated. I haven't checked deeply recently though.

If I can hazard a guess, I believe that WotC got out of this was the liability aspect. WotC wants to get new young gamers into playing D&D. The last thing that a major corporation needs is the stimga of having directly facilitated getting a pedophile access to young children. It would just have to happen once. That's my guess...

 

[francisca]

My name is Francisca. I am an RPGA member, and a Herald Level DM.

My experience is pretty limited. I've had some good games and met some good people and good gamers. I've also experienced some of the Munchkinism which is purported to be rampant and met some bad people and bad gamers (from my persepctive, anyway). So, really, it comes down to the people you end up finding.

One of the RPGA members here started a yahoo group, and invited several of us, myself included. The first gameday was announced and I replied something like: "Sorry! I'll be in Lake Geneva gaming with Gygax and Jolly Blackburn." This was my first post to the list. The response I got from a member basically called me a liar. Nice. I pointed out the website for the Con, then dropped out of the group.

Moral of the story: Like alot organizations, the RPGA, at least at the local level, is what the members make it. If you guys find that the local RPGA groups are problematic either don't bother or work to make it better.

 

[William Ronald]

Strange questions and unfortunate timing. Piratecat and Bearendd Nobeard are two folks who would probably chime in on this but they both may be too busy with Gencon, so we'll see. Make a note, Joe, to bump this thread next Tuesday or Wednesday just to see if you get some posters returning from Gencon with fresh RPGAS stories for you.

I think DA has it right, in that the RPGA is a mixed bag...regionally. I know that here in Illinois/Indiana and in Wisconsin there are many active members who work hard to make sure there are plenty of events and that they are as high a quality as the talent pool can muster, and in some cases that's as good as some professionally published materials. I've made some good friends through the RPGA that I'm sure will continue to be for life, at and away from the game table. I don't currently play in the RPGA but I think it is one of the best tools a gamer can have available to him

The RPGA is largely what you make of it, as an individual, so if you've never even looked into it then it hasn't failed you, you have failed it (but that's not to say you need it in the first place ).

I do occassionally play in the Living Greyhawk campaigns locally in the Chicago area. I think that the RPGA here in the Chicago area has many dedicated DMs and players. It is true that I have played in some events where there was railroading, or mixed text. On the otherhand, I have played in fun events including an interactive where people from different tables after finishing their tasks could try to help out elsewhere. (Let's say that my cleric with his wand of cure light wounds was welcome almost everywhere --- except where the action was so high level that a 5th level character should not be there.) I have made friends through the RPGA, and I honestly wish I had more time locally. Many of the players and GMs are great people. I think that the Living Greyhawk campaign works because of very dedicated volunteers. Also, I am pleased to say that I have seen people bring their kids to some RPGA events -- starting up the next generation of gamers.

I think the RPGA could use some help in organization, and perhaps better define its message. While I am not very familar with WotC's delegate program, possibly the RPGA could work with it to help recruit new people for gaming and offer some sort of reward to those who serve as delegates.

I agree with Mark that the RPGA is what you make of it. Perhaps the question to ask is how the RPGA can best serve gamers and what gamers can bring to the organization.

 

[francisca]

Has the RPGA failed? Well, it ultimately failed me - but that's because I turn out to be in a minority.
<snip>

When I joined the RPGA, I asked about the Classic Adventures. Heard nothing but crickets.

You know, I was trying to get a group together around here to meet monthly and rotate DMing. The idea was that when it was your turn, you show up with a 4-6 hour adventure and a fistful of pregens, and off you go. With 5 people, you'd have plenty of time to write you adventure. I got one response from a post here (crikey! I owe that guy an email), and a few nibbles. Mostly, they were interested in developing characters. They were also RPGA members.

I have games where I am developing characters. I have an on-going game world where I developing plots. I just want something on the side where I can sit down and play and try new stuff. I don't want Psionics in my game. But I'd sure like running a one shot with it. I don't want to invest in Aracana Unearthed, but I'd like to play in a game where someone knew what was going on.

 

[jcfiala]

I have games where I am developing characters. I have an on-going game world where I developing plots. I just want something on the side where I can sit down and play and try new stuff. I don't want Psionics in my game. But I'd sure like running a one shot with it. I don't want to invest in Aracana Unearthed, but I'd like to play in a game where someone knew what was going on.

C'mon out to Denver for Genghis Con. We can always use more classics.