In-person Game cancelled. What do you play?

[jdrakeh]

We played Ticket to Ride last Friday when half the group failed to show. I had a lot of fun.

 

[Stormonu]

With video games being specifically excluded? I'd probably read a book.

Would it at least be a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure style book?

 

[Faolyn]

Last time that happened, we played a Lasers & Feelings hack (Magical Pets).

 

[Lanefan]

If just one player bails the game goes on as scheduled.

If multiple players bail, if we have any warning the rest are told not to bother coming. If they bail without warning the rest of us might sit around, drink tea, and discuss game rules or system issues.....and then have some sharp words with the bailers at the next session.

If the DM bails then nobody plays anything; the game's at the DM's house and if he's bailing it means he's either sick or busy, and people will get texted or called to say there's no game.

 

[Jd Smith1]

Probably go spend time with my wife, or mow. I live on sizeable acreage, so that's always an option.

 

[GMMichael]

Try out a different RPG?

DriveThruRPG

www.drivethrurpg.com

 

[Koloth]

If you have a regular host site, stock the place with several board and card games. Red Dragon Inn, Munchkin, Conspiracy Theory, and Castle Panic to name a few. Nothing wrong with some old style card games like Bridge, Spades, Hearts, some version of Poker, etc. One way to start the collection is have every player contribute one or more games. Many of us have one or more games in our stash that haven't seen play time. Good candidate to contribute to the Plan B collection at the prime game site.

Nothing wrong with having a Plan B RPG with characters already generated. Since you won't know who will be gone, the GM will have to be flexible on party composition. Good chance for someone other then the normal GM to get some game running time.

 

[innerdude]

The Deep Rock Galactic cooperative board game is utterly fantastic for situations where you can't get the full group together.

Some weeks, depending on GM and game, DRG might be an upgrade in fun over an RPG in the first place.

 

[aramis erak]

This happened to us recently. Someone cancelled on game day and we had nothing to do. Any suggestions for 3-4 people left holding the bag?

ETA No video games

If it's one of a group of GM+3 or more, we play without them, they suck the consequences.
As long as I have the majority of the players, I run the RPG.

Group of GM+2 (current Wed. gp.), we break out Ticket to Ride, Fortune and Glory, Flash Point Fire Rescue, or any of the other 2p capable games from Days of Wonder, or Bohnanza. If I can find it, my copy of Great Khan Game.

I'll note the new line of small-box Ticket To Ride games are great for short play; most are 30-40 minutes (I've 3 of the 5)... New York is the simplest I have, I prefer London, due to San Francisco having a bit of fiddliness.

 

[Piperken]

P-A-R-A-N-O-I-A

(really!)