Now, when you say "casual" . . .

[Zhaleskra]

The GURPS group I have been part of used "casual gaming" in its advertisement. I have also seen the idea of "beer & pretzels" gaming presented when it's more about the socializing than the game.

The beer & pretzels analogy doesn't work for the group I'm in. While we meet in bars/breweries to play, even with our off topic comments, the point is ultimately the game. The GM has suggested other just plain socializing activities for just "hanging out".

So, what do you mean when you talk about casual gaming?

 

[billd91]

Jeans, t-shirts, and flip-flops are allowed.

 

[Crazy Jerome]

While we meet in bars/breweries to play, even with our off topic comments, the point is ultimately the game.

We do something very similar, but we don't call that casual gaming. For us, casual gaming is when we meet and don't care if we get any gaming done, as long as we are enjoying the company. We do that occasionally, when schedules and stress make focus on gaming difficult, but we still want to get together anyway.

If pressed, I've always described our normal mode as focused on the game, but tolerant of casual gaming.

 

[Zhaleskra]

I think what my GURPS GM meant by "casual" was simply "not hardcore".

 

[Is_907]

We don't use the phrase, but we have some gaming nights that are more casual than others... usually this happens when one or more of us have had a really long day/week, or when we're just more in the mood to talk and goof off.
We still play, but less progress is made through the plot of the game.

We all have a good time, either way. This usually happens one in 4 game sessions. It helps that the four of us (DM, wife, my wife, me) spend a LOT of time together so we can recover from those "casual moments" more quickly.

 

[amerigoV]

I view "causal gaming" is not the what happens so much at the table, but away from the table. Casual gamers (using my definition) give no thought to gaming between sessions. If you are lucky, they will level up their PC between sessions. That is about it. They show up and they enjoy the session, but you will have to remind them of the plot (if you are using one). They might own your system of choice's PHB, but that is about it.

So causal gaming is the DM and invested players do a lot of work, and the rest show up.

Beer and Pretzels, in my definition, can include very hard core gamers. Its just a game session with little on the docket other than occassionally tossing dice and socializing. Some groups this all they do. For some groups, its one-shot gaming.

 

[was]

I think the 'casual' reference means that the group is as much into the social aspect of gaming as they are into the game itself. The ad is probably designed to weed out the 'hardcore' powergamers and rules lawyers.

 

[Greg K]

I think the 'casual' reference means that the group is as much into the social aspect of gaming as they are into the game itself. The ad is probably designed to weed out the 'hardcore' powergamers and rules lawyers.

and 'hardcore' optimizers

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

I think what my GURPS GM meant by "casual" was simply "not hardcore".

That's how I use it. 'Casual' is my way of saying "I don't demand that you dress in costume, role play in dialect, optimize or memorize large chunks of rules/setting text."

 

[Zhaleskra]

I view "causal gaming" is not the what happens so much at the table, but away from the table. Casual gamers (using my definition) give no thought to gaming between sessions. If you are lucky, they will level up their PC between sessions. That is about it. They show up and they enjoy the session, but you will have to remind them of the plot (if you are using one). They might own your system of choice's PHB, but that is about it.

The GM is rather lax about our character backgrounds, but does want them done.

I think the 'casual' reference means that the group is as much into the social aspect of gaming as they are into the game itself. The ad is probably designed to weed out the 'hardcore' powergamers and rules lawyers.

The ad's been gone for months now, though people who watch are sometimes interested, and players and the GM try to recruit.