Paying for game sessions?!?

[RSKennan]

I'm not trying to raise anyone's hackles with this, I just thought it might be interesting to see what the climate was like.

As for the tangible value of a game -what is the tangible value of any form of entertainment? Last time I went, movies were about ten dollars for at most 3 hours of entertainment, and plays were even more.

I'm still not certain where I stand on this, it does seem a little like extortion, but I can also see how it could keep game designers working in the industry, instead of wandering off to greener pastures.

 

[RSKennan]

RangerWickett beat me to the movie point....

 

[Lela]

I think it's too dangerous to play for cash. I usually (as in I never havn't but won't rule it out) play with friends and think the strain of money can, and very likely will, break the bonds we've built over the years.

What happens if they run a grim'n gritty or evil campaign? Would I even think to ask? What if the sexual/sensual levels are too high? In RW's case, what happens if we don't play often enough or can't do it one Saterday?

What I'm saying with the above is that there are too many variables to consider for me to risk a friendship on.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

I primarily play RPGs as an excuse to get together with some old friends and have some good, clean escapist fun. Paying wouldn't really work for us; part of the point of getting together is to have time for idle table talk, etc.

That said, I see nothing peculiar about the idea of paying for a game. Since when do we demand our money back for a sucky movie or series of movies? (I can imagine the mobs descending on Lucas Ranch now...)

A lot of common problems at the gaming table will actually be reduced or go away by players recognizing that the DM's time is a valuable commodity that needs to be shared. It is very common for people, even among friends, to take for granted what is given to them for free...

 

[RangerWickett]

Regarding the question as to people not being able to come to games, this is yet another good thing about paying. People want to get their money's worth, so they're encouraged to come whenever they can. I guarantee at least two weekends out of each month, and I'm willing to do up to one every weekend. If for some reason I can't do it, I'll make up the time, and since we're friends, they're cool with that.

 

[Sanackranib]

pay to play

as a DM I regularly pay to play, I have thousands of dollars tied up in 3 editions of books and mini's, I doubt thats what your poll is asking buy its true anyway.

 

[coyote6]

I'll pay.

But I insist on a contract, including a clause to this effect: if the game sucks (IMO, of course!), I get to whack the GM upside the head with the roleplaying manual of my choice.

[edit: This applies per session, of course. Possibly twice per session, for exceptionally long sessions.]

I've found that the recent Everquest PH (for the pen-and-paper RPG) is wonderfully suited for this task.

 

[Holy Bovine]

Oh dear.


Think we may have all been very, very bad just now

 

[Crothian]

I'll pay.

But I insist on a contract, including a clause to this effect: if the game sucks (IMO, of course!), I get to whack the GM upside the head with the roleplaying manual of my choice.

[edit: This applies per session, of course. Possibly twice per session, for exceptionally long sessions.]

I've found that the recent Everquest PH (for the pen-and-paper RPG) is wonderfully suited for this task.

I don't know about everyone else, but I know a lot of DM's I'd pay to get the oppurtunity to whack them with an RPG book.

 

[Chun-tzu]

I agree with Ranger Wickett. Paying a nominal fee helps people to appreciate what they have, and take it more seriously. I wouldn't like paying every session; once a semester seems pretty good. It's not the kind of thing that applies in all situations; many groups work great without bringing money into it. But I'd be willing to pay for a good game.