How Do You Curb Table Talk?

[Aluvial]

How do you get your players to stop talking about non-game (or worse, rules) during the game?

I've had it with the new "hot" movie out or the new conspiracy theroy on atom splitting or the Presidents underwear color!

Aaaaarrrrrggggghhhh!!!!


I have a group of eight players (I know, too many) and it is likely that my game is the only time they get to see each other. We play once a week, Wednesday nights from 7:00 to 11:00. Basically most sessions start a half-hour to 45 minutes late, due to late arrivals and "Hi, how is your wife?" stuff and we generally find a good break and stop up to 15 minutes early.

My problem is how slow my pacing has gotten. I've DM'd for my group for 12 years now, and I can't seem to cull the chatter. Nothing seems to work and it is causing me to burnout.

What do you think? I can't give up the campaign, it means to much to me, but this is really starting to get under my skin and ruin my good time, that despite this major problem, I look forward to it each week.

Any suggestions...

I may try the "pig" method, but my guys are pretty cheap.

Aluvial

 

[Ferret]

They get ousted.

Seriously, If I'm DMing a serious game and they talk ooc to much and they are out. It's more like ignoring the warnings. You get about two sessions of it and then you leave.

 

[tetsujin28]

*shrug* I don't care. For us, gaming is a social activity, an excuse to order food, drink beer, and enjoy each other's company at the end of the week. If no-one actually feels like gaming that night, so what? We're having fun, and that's what matters.

 

[Haradim]

I would tell my players to be quiet and get back on topic. Ideally patiently (if sometimes forcefully), but such things can be frustrating.

If I find I keep having to do this, over and over, I'll simply close my books and end the session. I'm simply not interested in fighting for people's attention; if they can't pipe down, and allow me to get to the point, I'll give them all the time they wish to chat and joke around.

Constant chatter like that tells me that my players aren't really interested in playing anyway, and that they are simply there because the game is an excuse to get together. While getting together is certainly nice, I'm not going to try to wedge the gameplay in amidst the casual socializing; I prefer to keep the two seperate.

That's my method, anyway. If they want to play, they will endeavour to keep the noise down.

If they don't, then at least the DM can realise that the players aren't there for what he is providing. Which may well mean that the campaign is over, which is the route I would probably take.

 

[sithramir]

Make them use their characters name and talk "in game" it might help. Also politely ask them to arrive early if they all want to talk because you enjoy gaming and would like to get more out of the short sessions you have.

 

[Maraxle]

*shrug* I don't care. For us, gaming is a social activity, an excuse to order food, drink beer, and enjoy each other's company at the end of the week. If no-one actually feels like gaming that night, so what? We're having fun, and that's what matters.

I'm with you. I care more about the social aspect than pacing or "accomplishing" anything. My goal, and what I want to see accomplished, is people having fun. If chit-chatting will make things more fun, then great.

 

[Agamon]

I'm curbing table talk by playing online. Seriously, rp-intensive games work better as pbp's, or so I've found. So, my regular table game players are going to playing out new MnM game online. Our gaming night is being replaced with a board/video game night, where table talk is encouraged.

 

[KnowTheToe]

I'm curbing table talk by playing online. Seriously, rp-intensive games work better as pbp's, or so I've found. So, my regular table game players are going to playing out new MnM game online. Our gaming night is being replaced with a board/video game night, where table talk is encouraged.

While I wouldn't quite follow this example, PBP games bore me, I think taking a week off once a month of so to play boardgames or do something different may encourage more socialization during that week and create a longing for the D&D game which may curb off topic talk during the game. It may be a long shot but there are so many good board games what do you have to lose?

 

[Darkness]

it is likely that my game is the only time they get to see each other.

Unless it's impossible to align with your own schedule, encourage your players to arrive early and/or leave late (by 30-60 minutes, maybe) so they can socialize without eating up game time.

Further, and for the same purpose, encourage your players to make use of telephone and e-mail to stay in touch with each other.

 

[ergeheilalt]

We have table talk in my Monday Night game alot. We've been friends through out high school and some what longer (a buddy of mine since Kindergarten). We'll all be going out separate ways this septemeber, college, work, JC, etc. This game is more a "lets joke arround" game, rather than a "lets get down and game". I'd rather have fun with table talk than bash my friends over the head with the DM ruler to get the game going.

The "serious" games I play online are slightly different. Table talk is exchanged via PMs, which keeps the "table" clear for gaming. Jokes are all made in ((enclosed text)) as are all OOC remarks.

IMO table talk is harmless, and if a group finds it fun - so be it. Once you have to start cracking skulls to get the game moving along, then you may need to consider who is there for RPGs or who is there just for fun.

Erge