I'm going to dismiss some players.

[The_Universe]

Do you have enough time to run 2 sessions? When my groups got too large, I generally encouraged them to "split up" and then I would run half the group seperately - essentially running 2 different adventures at a time in the same "campaign."

That hasn't worked well with this group, but it worked great when I was in college, and it kept me from having to cull players from the group, which can have out of game social consequences.

The DM often inadvertantly becomes the axel around which a social group turns - it sucks, but it happens.

EDIT: DM Cal said exactly what I was thinking, and with fewer words.

 

[Y.O.Morales]

Thanks everybody for the feedback. Now it's capnfro and me with player problems.

but getting ready for games just stopped being fun. There was also so much downtime during the games because of people chatting and not paying attention that it just wasn't fun anymore.

but with that many people at the table, it takes away from everyone's enjoyment... including mine.

Exactly that's happening to me and the group. I think I have enough reasons now to carry on my desicion.

we just stopped calling some of them to arrange meeting

That would be the easiest solution, but it's not worth taking as the players are also my buddies (one of them is even my brother).

My SOP now (sad that I have to have one) is to explain the problem, frame it as a "you" (as DM) problem, not a "them" problem, find an alternative game for them to play in and show them you care about them (if you do) by keeping in touch and seeing how things are going occasionally.

What exactly you mean by SOP? And yes, maybe they can play occassionally in one-shot adventures that some players manage sometimes, but the main, frequent campaign is the one I'm GMing. Also, your idea in keeping in touch adds to the Diplomacy.

BTW, I have a letter in Dungeon's Prison Mail this month!

Great! About what and signed how?

What about splitting the 8 players into two groups of 4 and running them separately, on different game nights?

Group-splitting is not an option because I only have time for one game session a week.

 

[Nightcloak]

BTW, I have a letter in Dungeon's Prison Mail this month!

DM

Great! About what and signed how?

I have a hunch it is the one with the initials of DM

He speaks of the magazine, it's history, what he finds useful, and some great ideas for the future.

 

[Blade of Desecration]

Yeah well SOME of us keep accidentally callign your CotDS....not to name names or anything...*cough*Xen*cough*....
...

...

...

WHAT?

CHAOS EVOKER

So many people keep calling me CotDS. I'd switch the name back if I could edit my SN, but I don't think you can.

 

[Blade of Desecration]

But back on the original topic. Would any of your other friends be willing to DM? Just do what happened to the GMF campaign. Split into two groups, you DM one, one of your friends DMs the other. And if the otherguy doesn't know how to DM, just direct them here.

 

[DarrenGMiller]

What exactly you mean by SOP?

SOP = Standard Operating Procedure

Great! About what and signed how?

I have a hunch it is the one with the initials of DM

He speaks of the magazine, it's history, what he finds useful, and some great ideas for the future.

You are correct, sir.

DM is not just my title, it is also my initials.

How apt.

DM

 

[Nightcloak]

You are correct, sir.

DM is not just my title, it is also my initials.

How apt.

DM

Well, that and you mentioned the fact in your first post back in the old DMF thread

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Group-splitting is not an option because I only have time for one game session a week.

Well...alternate weeks, maybe? I dunno... If you have 8 players, and if they're all pretty good and/or enthusiastic... it'd be a shame to force some out.