We have moved our Shadowrun game to the Sony Atrium on Friday nights. There is also a DnD game and a Cashflow game group meeting there. We have become friendly with both groups and gotten some curious stares from tourists passing through. Have you played in public spaces and what was the reaction?
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Playing in Public
- Thread starter knitnerd
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Thornir Alekeg
Albatross!
Well, I used to, but people kept getting upset when I would draw my summoning circle on the floor and sacrifice small animals.
In reality, other than at college I have only gamed in the privacy of somebody's home or a hobby/game store.
In reality, other than at college I have only gamed in the privacy of somebody's home or a hobby/game store.
edemaitre
Explorer
Role-playing in public
In high school, I briefly participated in a role-playing club, and we occasionally met in vacant classrooms, during study hall, or in the cafeteria. Not quite public spaces, but we were exposed to the general student body.
During my freshman year of college, I managed to recruit much of my entire floor to briefly play, and for the most part, people didn't mind stepping over gamers in the dorm lounge. In graduate school, a few friends and I role-played on the National Mall, near Capitol Hill and Union Station, but most passers-by must have thought that we were studying or having a picnic.
I've met gamers and had full-blown conversations about science fiction, fantasy, and comic books in restaurants, on trains and in buses, and in shopping malls and bookstores. Sure, some bystanders might do a double take, but very few seemed offended. On the other hand, we tried not to be obnoxiously loud, tended to play heroic campaigns (rather than those in which we might say, "And then I eat the roast babies for Satan"), and we tried to be friendly to any who had questions about what we were doing.
In high school, I briefly participated in a role-playing club, and we occasionally met in vacant classrooms, during study hall, or in the cafeteria. Not quite public spaces, but we were exposed to the general student body.
During my freshman year of college, I managed to recruit much of my entire floor to briefly play, and for the most part, people didn't mind stepping over gamers in the dorm lounge. In graduate school, a few friends and I role-played on the National Mall, near Capitol Hill and Union Station, but most passers-by must have thought that we were studying or having a picnic.
I've met gamers and had full-blown conversations about science fiction, fantasy, and comic books in restaurants, on trains and in buses, and in shopping malls and bookstores. Sure, some bystanders might do a double take, but very few seemed offended. On the other hand, we tried not to be obnoxiously loud, tended to play heroic campaigns (rather than those in which we might say, "And then I eat the roast babies for Satan"), and we tried to be friendly to any who had questions about what we were doing.
megamania
Hero
I have not but the comicshop used to hold games outside their building. Depends on the age groups.
Older people have the notion the kids (players were 8-16yrs old) were up to no good.
Parents were concerned about the subjects (there was abrusive things said and done by this group)
Older kids were only annoyed if they blocked the sidewalk.
So long as the players are quiet and courteous it shouldn't be a big deal.
Older people have the notion the kids (players were 8-16yrs old) were up to no good.
Parents were concerned about the subjects (there was abrusive things said and done by this group)
Older kids were only annoyed if they blocked the sidewalk.
So long as the players are quiet and courteous it shouldn't be a big deal.
bento
Explorer
I had the opportunity to DM a game at a Borders Books earlier this year for a local Meet-Up. It was a hoot because a few minutes before we started a book signing/concert also kicked off a few sections over. For the first 20 minutes of play we were serenaded by Texas music legend Joe Ely. I love his song "That's What God Made Wiskey For."
As for the game, it went well despite the less-than-ideal tables (little round ones) and I was able to find my current gaming group. I'd do it again as part of a public demonstration, but not for a regular gaming group.
As for the game, it went well despite the less-than-ideal tables (little round ones) and I was able to find my current gaming group. I'd do it again as part of a public demonstration, but not for a regular gaming group.
RichCsigs
First Post
When I was a teen, a group of friends one time had no place to play (my place was usually used but we were away, and no other parent would let them play at their place). So they grabbed a card table & some chairs from one of their houses, bought a poster board & a marker, set up the table in a mall and hung a sign saying "Dungeons & Dragons demonstration game". Surprisingly, they got away with it and played for 6 hours.
Arashi Ravenblade
First Post
High School lunch cafateria, free time in the middle of class, a pizza hut on a field trip to Columbus State.
Ive played Magic CCG, Pokemon CCG, DBZ, OWOD, D&D, Marvel (tsr), all in public. And to be honest im a fairly big and intimidating looking guy so people dont tend to heckle me. If they do a look is all that is needed to quiet them down.
Ive played Magic CCG, Pokemon CCG, DBZ, OWOD, D&D, Marvel (tsr), all in public. And to be honest im a fairly big and intimidating looking guy so people dont tend to heckle me. If they do a look is all that is needed to quiet them down.
CarlZog
Explorer
bento said:
That's kind of my take too, though I only played in public settings a couple times and it was many years ago. I found it distracting and disruptive, but more than anything else it made some of the players very self-conscious and inhibited them from getting into character or having as much fun as they normally would have.
Carl
Thunderfoot
Hero
Yes, I have and probably will again. I don't do it on a regular basis, but I've been playing for so long, I could care less what others think of my hobby. (So take that radical 80s fundamentalist groups!) 
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