Interviewing New Players

[Joshua Randall]

I'm in the process of recruiting new players for a standard D&D campaign. I plan to meet any potential new players at a neutral site (i.e., not my house) and ask them... what?

What questions should I ask new players?

We regularly have threads on horrible gaming experiences and horrible players -- what questions can I ask that will decrease the chances of something horrible happening to me?

Note: Remember, these are questions I want to ask of potential players to find out about them as people. Not about their characters.

 

[Turjan]

Note: Remember, these are questions I want to ask of potential players to find out about them as people. Not about their characters.

Oh, just ask them for their SSN and their credit card number! Nothing beats a good background check, and you never know when you need them !

But seriously, I think the best you can do is get a general overview about the character (EDIT: their real, not their game one) of those potential players. In this regard, it doesn't really matter what you ask, but you will see how they behave during the conversation. Plus, your nose helps you with some basic decisions .

 

[Whimsical]

What RPG games have you played before? How long have you been gaming?

What kind of characters do you prefer to play? Tell me about your favorite character.

What do you like and dislike about D&D 3.5e (or whatever system you are running)

Tell me about the best gaming moment that you have had.

What kind of game play annoys you?

Why do you play role-playing games? What is it that you want to get out of your role-playing games? (this should probably be the last question...well, right before...)

Do you have any questions for me? About my game? My players?

 

[IronWolf]

When we were looking for people about a year ago for out newly formed group we went with the same approach - meet at a neutral place and chat for a bit. Our initial postings (on EN World and WotC boards) tried to be as up front as possible. Reliable, mature gamer for an every other week game which at the time was D&D3.5 and set in the Forgotten Realms.

When it came to meeting people we tended to meet them at a restaurant and more or less hang out. You can learn a lot about whether the person is a fit or nor by conversing with them over drinks and dinner (drinks optional). Of course the topic will cover gaming - how was your last game, what setting, what set of rules, do you play other games, etc, etc.

This seemed to work well when we were recruiting players.

 

[shaylon]

When we were looking for people about a year ago for out newly formed group we went with the same approach - meet at a neutral place and chat for a bit. Our initial postings (on EN World and WotC boards) tried to be as up front as possible. Reliable, mature gamer for an every other week game which at the time was D&D3.5 and set in the Forgotten Realms.

When it came to meeting people we tended to meet them at a restaurant and more or less hang out. You can learn a lot about whether the person is a fit or nor by conversing with them over drinks and dinner (drinks optional). Of course the topic will cover gaming - how was your last game, what setting, what set of rules, do you play other games, etc, etc.

This seemed to work well when we were recruiting players.

You forgot to say that if they ask in email if they should wear their Dwarven suit of armor that you should say "no".

Having a conversation at a neutral site is an excellent idea IMO. You really want to at least see if they will fit in with the group before you start playing and realize they don't. One of the guys from our group (we have been running almost a year now) quit in the first two months or so and even though he blamed work I think he really didn't fit in our game and he was uncomfortable. We didn't interview each other and that sort of thing tends to happen when you don't.

-Shay

 

[IronWolf]

You forgot to say that if they ask in email if they should wear their Dwarven suit of armor that you should say "no".

Oh yeah! That's right. Definitely say no that there is no need to wear their Dwarven Armor to the meetup (even it is a good way to pick them out in the crowd!)

 

[wedgeski]

When setting up my regular group I met both new guys individually in a local pub and just chewed the fat. We talked about their background, the games they had played, shared gaming anecdotes, that kind of thing, for about a couple of hours (well, 3 pints, however long that took). At the end of that meeting both of us had a pretty good idea whether we wanted to game together.

I really counsel against the 'interview' with questions that are blatantly bent on teasing out 'problem' players. IME it's people's personality, not their gaming style, which determines whether they'll fit into a campaign. A mature gamer, when finding himself in a game which is not suitable for him, will alter his play style to fit, or politely excuse himself after a couple of sessions. Problems around the table are resolved much more amicably between people who are generally compatible with eachother *as people*.

YMMV.

EDIT: Now strongly aware that I've only ever tried to set up a group of 30+'s in this fashion.

 

[nyrfherdr]

Joshua,
This really is a good idea. Keep it casual, but ask lots of questions.

Here are some additonal ones to ask that help you figure out someone's style.

What's your favorite movie?
What's your favorite sport? Do you play or watch?
What's your favorite game?
What's your favorite book?
How often do you like to game?


Simple questions will help you get an idea of the person's personality and whether you'd enjoy having them in your game. The kind of movies, books and other activities they enjoy will tell you a lot about them and how they'd fit in your game. Often better than asking game specific questions, although you should ask some of those too.

Good luck.
Game ON!
Nyrfherdr

 

[StupidSmurf]

There are truly only three questions that need to be asked of any gamer:

1. What is your name?
2. What is your quest?
3. What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

The one question I would ask is this:

In your opinion, what type of player is the hardest to game with?

The rest you will be able to tell just by casual conversation.

Remember, in a gaming enviroment, if you can't get along casually with the other players.. it wont be as fun for all involved.