How hard is it to find players?

[Flynn]

For me, this is too open of a question, because there are two conditional answers. If you are talking about v3.5 D&D, then the answer is "Easy". If you are talking about any other game, then the answer is "Not Too Hard to find one or two, but Difficult to find a full table."

In the end, I voted for "Difficult", because I like to run non-D&D stuff such as Grim Tales and I didn't have a full table until after a year into the campaign.

With Regards,
Flynn

 

[Wombat]

I have often found it difficult to find the kind of players I want in my games (or people whose games I would want to join). I freely admit to being picky.

I am not looking for games (or expectations of games) that start the session with "Roll for initiative". I am looking for games and gamers where getting into character is at least as important as combat stats, preferably more so. I am looking for people who want to add some depth to the gaming world and environment, rather than simply waiting for the next roving chunk of XP. And I don't want to game in or with people who only are willing to play under a single system -- diversity is much more fun!

Yep, I am a Gaming Snob and proud.

So even though I live in a populace region where gaming is acceptably mainstream geeky, it is still at times difficult to put a group together. This is why I value the gamers I currently have, although one is leaving soon so I will need to find a fourth player again.

 

[Mallus]

I voted 'easy-peasy'.

I've met some terrific people to game with over the past few years, originally through ENWorld. I call the lot of them 'friends' now, and with their able, not to mention nutty, assistance created two of my favorite characters Grenache Shiraz and Joseirus, the Egyptian God of Mexican Wrestlers, and run one of my most flat-out enjoyable D&D campaigns, which you can read about in Rolzup's Story Hour linked in my sig.

The problem is that now I'm spoiled. Our games take place in what I like to call a 'high-trust environment'. I'm not sure I could or would play any other way in the future, but for the time being I've got more gaming opportunities then time. Which is nice in a vexing sort of way.

 

[diaglo]

plenty o gamers here.
unfortunately, most don't want to play real D&D.

took me 7 years to get a group together.
but we've been at it now for almost 4.

 

[Ao the Overkitty]

It would really depend upon the game. It wouldn't be hard at all to fill a table of new people for D&D in these parts. Now, filling a table for any other game would be decidedly more difficult.

 

[werk]

It's in direct correlation to your area's demographics.

I'm in Madison. We have a decent population density with lots of schoolies, academics, hippies, and artists...pretty easy to get a group here.

 

[Lord Zardoz]

Finding potential gamers is not too hard in my line of work. I am a game programmer, and it is not hard to find gamers in my line of work.

I have found that getting 4 adults who are interested enough to play is easy. Finding 4 players who:

- Can commit a 4 to 6 hour block of time to a game despite work.
- would rather play D&D then go out to a movie, bar, or spend time with their family.
- Can commit to the same time block as 4 other adults with similar demands on their time

To be very difficult. I have a weekly game that lately I get to run once a month. Even then, I typically only get 3 out of 4 players able to make it on a given day. The game is great, but it does get frustrating.

END COMMUNICATION

 

[vonmolkew]

I voted "difficult"
It's pretty obvious there are a ton of gamers in the greater Chicagoland area. My problem is that I want to play during the week. I have a family that I'd like to spend time with on the weekends. I've put messages up here, WotC, Meet-Ups, etc, and can't really seem to find anyone who wants to play from 6-10 on a Mon-Thurs night. Pretty much everything on there is Fridays until 2am, all day Saturday, Sunday from 10-5, etc.
I think part of it is the distance people are willing to travel. Chicago has nasty traffic before road construction, and -- as those who live here know -- the state flag is the Orange Construction Barrel.
The group I game with is on the north side of the City. The three I play with all live there.....I have a 1 hour 45 minute to 2 hour 15 minute commute. It's really starting to interfere with the fun. 2 hours of bumper to bumper doesn't make for a relaxing evening of gaming. Unfortuately, none of the three are interested in travelling out my way, even occasionally.
I also live in the city with the World's Greatest Gaming Store...Games Plus. Even on a Saturday it takes me almost an hour to get there. I did hear about a group nearby (about a 25 minute drive) but they play at a game store as well. I kind of like to kick back on the couch when playing, or sit at a table while the players kick if I'm DMing.
I'm sure eventually i'll get a group together. Just didn't think it would take this long

 

[TerraDave]

My priority remains playing with the old freinds, and that can be a challenge.

Maybe I should look for some new blood

 

[Piratecat]

Too easy. Gothenburg has quite a lot of gamers. Fairly often I have a waiting list of people who want to be in my games. A nice position to be in.

Hey, I've been there! I hitchhiked from Stockholm to Gothenburg to see a U2/Pretenders concert, way back in '87.

It's extremely easy to find gamers in the greater Boston area. No problems here.