How Many Groups Do You Play In?

[The_Universe]

Over the past few months, my wife (Queen Dopplepopolis 'round here) and I have become increasingly frustrated with the availability of our current gaming group - despite attempts to schedule sessions well in advance, we almost never have a full group for an entire session (and those sessions are few and far between). Stacked on top of that, we're becoming somewhat frustrated (my wife to a greater, myself to a lesser degree) with some of the players at an interpersonal level, due to various factors that are really not important to the ensuing discussion.

Nevertheless, the players are all valued friends, and close enough to us that we don't want to abandon the gaming group (or gaming as an activity), so ditching them is not option (and our frustration is not really so significant as to warrant it). But this is our hobby, and we want to enjoy it.

As a result, we're considering joining a second gaming group.

The idea is basically new to me - I've only ever maintained one gaming group at a time, usually as the GM, and always gamed with relatively close friends (excepting convention games). I know that others are part of multiple gaming groups, but I've typically just added players/GMs to my existing group, usually in an effort to expand the existing circle of friends/acquaintances. Still, I want to make sure that we can continue to enjoy the shared hobby, and an extra group may be the thing that kicks the fun back into the game.

So - how many groups do you play in? Do more/different groups enhance or hinder the overall gaming experience? I'm keen to learn.

 

[Siriak]

I voted "0". Unfortunately, due to my job and current location, it is just not possible for me to participate in a regular group for a prolonged period of time. If it wasn't for conventions and the RPGA, I wouldn't get any face to face gaming in at all. I am currently playing around with D20pro in order to play more online.

Having said all that, though, I am really jealous of people with decent regular groups and hope to hook up with one the next time I transfer.

 

[smootrk]

Just one, but if somehow scheduling could permit, I would do another as well. Unlikely as it might be.

 

[Festivus]

I would have voted "3" if it was an option.

Every other Sunday - D&D at my place
Every other Saturday - D&D at a friends place
Every Thursday - D&D online with Fantasy Grounds and Ventrilo

I have a *very* understanding wife, whom I appreciate very much that she lets me get away with this level of geekness. I have been frustrated too with the face to face games often missing players or soemone having to leave early, but online... we play without fail 4 hours a week, and very very good attendance for everyone. Probably because it's during the week, after kids have gone to bed.

 

[shilsen]

4, currently.

 

[Corsair]

3. Damn you and your inadequate polls!

 

[MerricB]

3 or 4, depending how you count it.

Cheers!

 

[Glyfair]

A lot depends on how you count it. I run a game & play in my brothers game (that we alternate) and run a Xen'drik Adventures game at a local game store. All three groups are mostly the same players, with a few slight variations.

At one point in time I easily was in 5 or more mostly different groups.

 

[The_Universe]

I would have voted "3" if it was an option.

Every other Sunday - D&D at my place
Every other Saturday - D&D at a friends place
Every Thursday - D&D online with Fantasy Grounds and Ventrilo

I have a *very* understanding wife, whom I appreciate very much that she lets me get away with this level of geekness. I have been frustrated too with the face to face games often missing players or soemone having to leave early, but online... we play without fail 4 hours a week, and very very good attendance for everyone. Probably because it's during the week, after kids have gone to bed.

What the heck? I selected a 4 option poll when I started the thread, and included "3+" as the fourth option. What happened to the 4th option?

Maybe it was eaten by a grue...

 

[Davelozzi]

1 theoretically year-round, plus another (partially overlapping) group that usually does a short story arc over the winter months.