How hard is it to find players?

[Hairfoot]

When debate turns to rude players, railroading GMs, wealth-per-level guidelines, and other factors which cause rifts in gaming groups, a common refrain is "just get rid of the person or find another group to play with".

While this is easy in some places, some areas simply don't have enough gamers to make it viable.

So, for interest's sake, I'd like to get a general indication of how easy ENworlders find it to recruit people to their group.

 

[Doug McCrae]

Lots of gamers down my way. It would be very easy if I wasn't such a picky prick.


Woo! You can say prick. I thought it would be smileyed out.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

I voted Difficult, but I think that it is moving towards the Not Too Hard category. I've had a regular group for about a year and a half now. In that time I have replaced 3 players relatively easily. The fact that we now have a yearly gaming convention in my home town makes it easier to meet possible players. Gamers tend to be pretty insular around here so getting to know more of them has opened me up to quite a few possible new players. Also, as new players come into my game they have generally known a couple more players that might want to play as well.

I must say that having a pool of players to pick from has made me a lot more ruthless with who I let into my game. Previously I would play with just about anyone. Rules-lawyering powergamer, immature teen, poor hygiene man. All of these people got a chance to play in my game. This was because it was either play with them or don't play at all due to lack of numbers.

Now that I have enough players for my game I have not invited someone to join the group simply because their gaming style didn't seem to match the rest of the group. I also uninvited one regular player because of bad hygiene and another because he missed as many sessions as he played (often without letting me know beforehand).

Olaf the Stout

 

[megamania]

As strange as it seems, about 15 years ago I started a DnD group in my town of (then) 2500 people. I never reliezed there was an existing group here. When we got everyone together there was close to 30 players. Very good for such a small town. Ages 15-45.


Since then, manby have families and moved. I would say we still have about 12 that play somewhat regularly and another 3-4 that come out of the closet once or twice a year.


Now what quality of players and the people they are is another story.

 

[Hairfoot]

Woo! You can say prick. I thought it would be smileyed out.

I don't think prick's an insult in Americanese. I'd use it more often, but I don't want to be a wanker.

 

[Harmon]

Players are easy to find, GMs are the hard ones, and good GMs a very rare breed.

 

[DungeonMaester]

Rpgs are not popular in these parts.

Last D&D game day drew in 6 players and a Dm.

---Rusty

 

[DungeonMaester]

Players are easy to find, GMs are the hard ones, and good GMs a very rare breed.

Also true. I have been Dming for so long I have almost forgot what being a player is like. But its ok because I enjoy being a DM.

---Rusty

 

[ivocaliban]

Nearly impossible. It was a bit easier when I was in college, but now...not a chance.

 

[cougent]

Large metropolitan area makes it easy. Post a notice at the LGS and get 20 replies inside a couple of days.

I follow Doug's mantra though, so I reject more than I allow.