Let's Design An RPG Poll or Survey +

[Reynard]

I listened to the most recent episode of Dungeon Masters of None, which talked about RPG hobby/industry data (or the lack thereof) and especially discussed Bob the World Builder's recent poll.

I thought it might be interesting to try and collectively design a poll or survey here at EN World to see what, if anything, we could learn about the games people actually play (not just buy or "like").

I am sure we have some folks whose real world experience and/or jobs would be helpful in creating something interesting, even if we all agree from the jump that it will not be universally applicable data or anything.

Speaking of -- this is a + thread for an important reason: the goal is to try and develop such a thing in good faith. If you don't think it is possible, or that such information would be worthwhile or at least interesting, this is not the thread for you. Feel free to discuss and even argue about methodology and what would be important to ask, but don't argue with the premise, please.

For my part, the thing I would be most interested in knowing, if possible, is how often people play and what they play. It would be interesting to have demographic data to go with that, but I think it is pretty clear that EN World is not especially demographically diverse, so that is probably less important info.

I actually don't know anything about how to conduct a poll or survey or collect data in a useful and hopefully unbiased way, so I can't really be of any help with my own idea. ::sad noises::

What would you like to know? And how would you design a poll or survey to find out?

 

[Thierry-Advent]

You'd have to do a multi-question poll with an outside application for starters. It would be very similar to WoTC polls for D&D 5e. The difference is that we would see the data. I assume the poll would take place in 2027 to have the 2026 data.

• What year did you start playing RPGs?
• Age category?
• In 2026, how often do you play RPGs (per week, per month, per quarter, per year).
• Which RPGs do you actually play in 2026?

My group data, might help shape the survey:
My group is 61 (me), two guys in their mid-50s, two guys in their late 30s. In 2026, we played Call of Cthulhu, Cypher Predation setting, Dragonbane and Dune 2d20, so far. Dragonbane will resume in September and October. Nothing planed yet for November and December. We play every two weeks for 2.5 to 3 hours, on line only, we don't use VTT. Only Discord voice and video. We don't use miniatures. Any maps are just for reference. Our adventures are mostly investigation mysteries intrigues with few combat scenes.

Edit: 4 players/GMs

 

[Thierry-Advent]

Group size:

• solo
• duo (GM + 1 player)
• 3 to 5
• 6+

 

[Thierry-Advent]

Are you:

• Player only
• GM only
• Both roles alternating
• How many GMs in your group?

 

[Thierry-Advent]

How was your group formed?

• School friends
• At work
• Gaming store
• Via social media
• Mixed group from various sources.

 

[Reynard]

I would not want to go too broad. It was aid on the DMoN podcast that the more questions you have, the fewer responses you will get. If the goal is to know what people are playing and how often, you would not want to get into the weeds of how the group met.

 

[RenleyRenfield]

I would suggest setting the overall context to "In the last 3 years..."

• How often do you play?
• How many players are in your group?
• How often do you game with new players you have never met
• What games did you play more than 10 times?
• What games in that timeframe did you play less than 5 times?

Basically the ideas is to get up to date and current games, either in flight or very recent. It also gives you a split between what people play as a once shot here and there, vs. their more longterm rpg they play often.

There are a few side things that may be relevant? (still in the past 3 years)

• Do you use miniatures or such for combat portions?
• Do you use any extensive house rules for mechanics?
• Are you more often GM or Player?
• Have you never been the GM or a Player?
• If anonymous maybe "What age are you?" (dunno, this may be too personal?)

 

[Byrd]

I thought it might be interesting to try and collectively design a poll or survey here at EN World to see what, if anything, we could learn about the games people actually play (not just buy or "like").
...
For my part, the thing I would be most interested in knowing, if possible, is how often people play and what they play. It would be interesting to have demographic data to go with that, but I think it is pretty clear that EN World is not especially demographically diverse, so that is probably less important info.
....
What would you like to know? And how would you design a poll or survey to find out?

In terms of focus, you've already stated three goals.
Which question do you want answered?
From the OP:

1. "learn about the games people actually play" (x2)
2. "how often people play and what they play"
3. "demographic data to go with that"

That seems like three different polls, or the beginning of a survey.

---
Additionally, given my difficulty in posting a reply due to the 502 errors, would the third question be prudent?

 

[Reynard]

In terms of focus, you've already stated three goals.
Which question do you want answered?
From the OP:

1. "learn about the games people actually play" (x2)
2. "how often people play and what they play"
3. "demographic data to go with that"

That seems like three different polls, or the beginning of a survey.

---
Additionally, given my difficulty in posting a reply due to the 502 errors, would the third question be prudent?

I mentioned that the demographic question was not especially important given we already know the demographics of ENWorld. I think we could find out about 1 and 2 simultaneously, no?

 

[dragoner]

Even for a momentary sense, a what are people playing poll is interesting.