Samurai
Adventurer
Wow, that's it for all of London? Were there more shops running it before and it has fallen to this 1 store, or did it never catch on at all?
Is Encounters dying?
- Thread starter Samurai
- Start date
Wow, that's it for all of London? Were there more shops running it before and it has fallen to this 1 store, or did it never catch on at all?
Vael
Legend
We've had a slump the last few weeks, as we regularly run two tables, and last two weeks there was only enough players to support one table. It's been a little frustrating, but it's also given me and the other DM a chance to play. We've been good not to metagame. It's a little weird sitting at the table playing an adventure that you've prepped to run, but it's also enjoyable.
Matt James
Game Developer
I know the coordinators of each of the DC area's FLGS encounter events, and I can't even get a seat. It's been insane in my area since 4e came out.
The remaining central London RPG stores (Orc's Nest and the RPG section in Forbidden Planet) don't really have available space for that kind of thing. I'm not sure why Leisure Games doesn't run Encounters and other in-store games since they do have a bit of spare capacity at the back, but I guess they've done a cost-benefit analysis.
filthgrinder
First Post
One thing to remember is that D&D Encounter will focused and honed in on a couple of things. The first is new players. It's a great way to intro new players to D&D and 4E. It's a short burst of game play, and someone new can pop in any week. It's also great for lapsed/busy gamers who don't have time for a traditional 4 hour game session.
I think in promoting the program, you should focus on those aspects, as that's Encounter's sweet spot.
I first played in Encounters during PAX East 2010. I played the sessions at the con and decided, "alright, let's go out to a game store and play". My girlfriend and I did that for all of the first season. We met and became friends with the people at the game store, and went from 3 packed tables, to two tables.
I then DM'ed season 2, the Dark Sun season, as I'm a full on Dark Sun nerd. Anyways, we ran one table and had a lot of turn over in players. However, we ended with around a packed table, and a couple of players who came semi-regularly. However, talking with the core group of 6 players, we decided to switch nights (when the game store wasn't as busy), and then just play our own campaign (in Dark Sun) and skip the Encounters program. So, the program was successful for us, it got me back into playing D&D regularly, and formed a new group.
So a year later, I was at PAX East 2011, and once again, WotC was there with Encounters seassions for people to catch-up on. The lines for the games were packed. A lot of them were people new to D&D, new to 4E, and new to Encounters. So, there is definite interest out in the gaming community.
I'd say, that if the current crop of gamers are Pathfinder people and not interested, try switching your marketing out to lapsed gamers, or non-table top gamers. Try and lure in people who haven't played D&D, don't know the difference between Pathfinder and 4E, and get them playing. It's a great way to intro people into playing.
I think in promoting the program, you should focus on those aspects, as that's Encounter's sweet spot.
I first played in Encounters during PAX East 2010. I played the sessions at the con and decided, "alright, let's go out to a game store and play". My girlfriend and I did that for all of the first season. We met and became friends with the people at the game store, and went from 3 packed tables, to two tables.
I then DM'ed season 2, the Dark Sun season, as I'm a full on Dark Sun nerd. Anyways, we ran one table and had a lot of turn over in players. However, we ended with around a packed table, and a couple of players who came semi-regularly. However, talking with the core group of 6 players, we decided to switch nights (when the game store wasn't as busy), and then just play our own campaign (in Dark Sun) and skip the Encounters program. So, the program was successful for us, it got me back into playing D&D regularly, and formed a new group.
So a year later, I was at PAX East 2011, and once again, WotC was there with Encounters seassions for people to catch-up on. The lines for the games were packed. A lot of them were people new to D&D, new to 4E, and new to Encounters. So, there is definite interest out in the gaming community.
I'd say, that if the current crop of gamers are Pathfinder people and not interested, try switching your marketing out to lapsed gamers, or non-table top gamers. Try and lure in people who haven't played D&D, don't know the difference between Pathfinder and 4E, and get them playing. It's a great way to intro people into playing.
Nullzone
Explorer
You haven't been looking very hard then
I'm the DM at the Chantilly store and we've pretty consistently had at least one open seat for several months now. Come join us!
Herremann the Wise
First Post
Yes take up thy 4e defender shield and start beating upon it loudly!
Really? I mean really? As a supporter of Pathfinder and 4e, I can see how some players will just naturally trend to one or the other based upon their preferences and experiences but the above quote does not read nicely, even with your emphasis on "some".
Maybe even tell them why Pathfinder/previous editions of the game are unfun while you are at it? This worked for WotC didn't it?
I think the focus needs to be on why 4e is fun, not personal reasons why one thinks 4e is better than other systems (if they are a novice, they are not going to understand and if they are a 3.x/Pathfinder veteran then they will most likely rail against being told that something that they like is inferior). Most of the shortcomings of Pathfinder play are complexity at high levels (13+) as well as DM/GM workload. Or from the other side, at low levels, there is little advantage one way or the other as most of the "benefits" are at higher level or on the other side of the DM screen. For an "Encounters" level player, there is just a difference in style between the two, not superiority of one to the other. In essence they are both fun. I think there is a lesson to be learnt here Dannager.
Hello Samurai,
Can you link up with local high schools, put advertisements in newsletters or drum up interest from younger potential players? Alternatively, can you organise a "one-off" gameday with 4e encounters as part of the mix? Most certainly though, if you have a high number of Pathfinder players, emphasize that it's different but it's still fun. I think you will sell 4e to players more successfully with an inclusive rather than exclusive approach.
Out of interest, what is the age range that you have experienced? Have you noticed a local trend of Pathfinder players being older/having less time to commit to multiple games etc. I know this is certainly a factor for our group (I'm the youngest at 38 in our group). Are there any MtG tournaments run near enough to you to get some of those players interested? Again a combined gameday might be fun to organise and may help you build up a larger pool of players.
And to answer your other concern, I would hazard a guess that your 31 years of experience and DMing style has nothing to do with your Encounters situation. Best of luck with your gaming.
Best Regards
Herremann the Wise
I am in rural northern CA as well and when Encounters first started I went to my LGS and pushed for getting it set up. The owner was all gung ho and for it at first. Magic was mostly being played in the shop and he said he wanted to branch out. I posted on his forums and came in and made sure he put up the posters and every thing. I got a full group for the first couple weeks. Then the shop was closed on the game night without anyone being told. The owner was not letting anyone know the games where happening and obviously did not care that they where going on. so we got fewer and fewer players. One night after one of the games he told us oh by the way next week you need to find somewhere else to play at. So that was that.
A new FLGS opened in the area. I let the owner know i was interested in encounters he was also interested. he told everyone it was going on he still does. We started with one full table and now we have 2 to 3 tables every week.
It all has to do with the effort the store puts behind it. if the workers/owners do not care people wont show up. When they care and want to succeed even when your out in the sticks like I am you can easily get a solid night going.
A new FLGS opened in the area. I let the owner know i was interested in encounters he was also interested. he told everyone it was going on he still does. We started with one full table and now we have 2 to 3 tables every week.
It all has to do with the effort the store puts behind it. if the workers/owners do not care people wont show up. When they care and want to succeed even when your out in the sticks like I am you can easily get a solid night going.
Incenjucar
Legend
Community efforts can help too, in those rare areas that actively welcome gamers. The FLGS I attend recently made an arrangement with a local restaurant/bar across the street, and now one of our weekly Encounters groups has their game over there. 21+, of course, but it's a great way for the business community to promote their neighbors.
Samurai
Adventurer
Yes take up thy 4e defender shield and start beating upon it loudly!
Really? I mean really? As a supporter of Pathfinder and 4e, I can see how some players will just naturally trend to one or the other based upon their preferences and experiences but the above quote does not read nicely, even with your emphasis on "some".
Maybe even tell them why Pathfinder/previous editions of the game are unfun while you are at it? This worked for WotC didn't it?
I think the focus needs to be on why 4e is fun, not personal reasons why one thinks 4e is better than other systems (if they are a novice, they are not going to understand and if they are a 3.x/Pathfinder veteran then they will most likely rail against being told that something that they like is inferior). Most of the shortcomings of Pathfinder play are complexity at high levels (13+) as well as DM/GM workload. Or from the other side, at low levels, there is little advantage one way or the other as most of the "benefits" are at higher level or on the other side of the DM screen. For an "Encounters" level player, there is just a difference in style between the two, not superiority of one to the other. In essence they are both fun. I think there is a lesson to be learnt here Dannager.
Hello Samurai,
Can you link up with local high schools, put advertisements in newsletters or drum up interest from younger potential players? Alternatively, can you organise a "one-off" gameday with 4e encounters as part of the mix? Most certainly though, if you have a high number of Pathfinder players, emphasize that it's different but it's still fun. I think you will sell 4e to players more successfully with an inclusive rather than exclusive approach.
Out of interest, what is the age range that you have experienced? Have you noticed a local trend of Pathfinder players being older/having less time to commit to multiple games etc. I know this is certainly a factor for our group (I'm the youngest at 38 in our group). Are there any MtG tournaments run near enough to you to get some of those players interested? Again a combined gameday might be fun to organise and may help you build up a larger pool of players.
And to answer your other concern, I would hazard a guess that your 31 years of experience and DMing style has nothing to do with your Encounters situation. Best of luck with your gaming.
Best Regards
Herremann the Wise
All of the players have fallen into 1 of 2 groups: kids (ages 8-18 or so) and older people returning to the hobby (35-45 or so). We haven't really had many in between those 2 groups.
My regular Fridays Pathfinder group is in their lat 30's to early 50's (!). I have tried several times to get them to give 4e a chance, but they just aren't interested. They are very interested in the role-playing aspect, and feel that 4e, and especially the Encounters format, doesn't play to that aspect very well. Also, most of them have families and can't spare another day away when we already have a weekly game going.
The store does hold MtG tournaments, and they are usually well attended, with at least 3 tables of people. The store sells vastly more Magic cards and other CCGs than it does RPGs, and the clientele reflects that. We have had some Magic players join us on occasion, but they are never very steady players... in fact, some have taken out their Magic cards and started a game with each other DURING the Encounters session, ignoring what the other players were doing and what was happening, and then asking to be caught up on what just happened when their turn came around! I told them that I couldn't allow that during the game, and they needed to concentrate on the game or else not bother to play at all. They decided they'd rather not play D&D then.
I have run several D&D game day events too, but it doesn't bring in anyone new besides whomever is currently playing Encounters with me at the time.
