Player Tryouts

[HiLiphNY]

My ongoing and IMMENSELY successful Arcana Unearthed Campaign is sadly losing a player. . . that said, I am not going to do the usual player pick up - i.e. I'm initiating PLAYER TRYOUTS - a la KotDT.

So - Have any of you out there actually done this before? Did you use a test, was there any standardized element to the process? Help me with your words of advice!

 

[Desdichado]

Sorta. I've done interviews, anyway. I thought about doing solo tryouts for an online game, but I've never actually done them.

But what's your sitch? Do you have more players clamoring to be in the game than you want to allow, or are you merely worried about getting the "wrong" player in the game?

 

[HiLiphNY]

Sorta. I've done interviews, anyway. I thought about doing solo tryouts for an online game, but I've never actually done them.

But what's your sitch? Do you have more players clamoring to be in the game than you want to allow, or are you merely worried about getting the "wrong" player in the game?

It's the latter case - we've had some real duds in our past configurations (All present company excluded) so thus my quest for the best of the best!

 

[Doug McCrae]

When I need a new player I just ask someone I like. Seems to work out okay.

 

[HiLiphNY]

Rude post deleted; if you ask for advice please don't be nasty to people who try to provide it, even if it isn't useful for you.

~ Piratecat

 

[diaglo]

Trial By Fire.

just throw them into the stew and see how it tastes. if they don't like the action/game no biggie. if they do and the others don't like them. well, that is what communication is all about.

 

[der_kluge]

I don't know that trials are necessary. Just meet them for dinner somewhere, and talk about gaming. You'll get an idea of whether or not you'd want to game with them.

 

[Desdichado]

I don't know that trials are necessary. Just meet them for dinner somewhere, and talk about gaming. You'll get an idea of whether or not you'd want to game with them.

That's what I've done, twice as a matter of fact. Both are stalwart regulars of my gaming group now.

If you want a "tryouts" type of environment, the third "new guy" we've added we met at a local ENWorld Gameday. He gamed with both of the two guys mentioned above (and me) and mentioned that he had only moved here a few years ago and hadn't yet found a local group, so I invited him in after enjoying his roleplaying at the gameday.

Of course, if there isn't a local gameday coming up for you, that's probably not an option for you...

 

[ladyofdragons]

over the years our group has gotten kind of picky about who we play with. We've had some good players, and some really bad ones. Unfortunately, I've found just liking someone to not always be a good indicator of whether they'll work well in a gaming group. Only playing with your group will tell you that.

We've gotten it worked out now to where if someone is thinking about adding in a new player, they first get the consent of the group, then tell the person in question they'll have to "audition". The person is given the chance to come over, work out a character, and play in a session. If it all works out and the group basically agrees in a meeting afterward that it's a good fit, they're in. If not, we'd not invite them back over, say it's "just not a good fit." This also gives the new guy the chance to decide if they like OUR style of gaming.

Of course, it's tough to tell a friend that they're just not a good fit into your gaming group, but it's better than suffering through weeks or even years of annoyance. Be up front, tell them they must audition.

 

[pogre]

I tell new players right up front that group chemistry is an important part of our gaming experience. They know I may tell them not to come back as politely as I can. Many take offense, but it is worth it to avoid having someone at your table who is not working out.

I once had to ask a player to leave my campaign who had been playing with us for TWO YEARS. That was really tough. He just had managed to annoy so many of the players they let me know he was ruining the game for them. I told him man-to-man and he actually cried a bit, definitely a low point for me since I really liked the fellow.