D&D General Scheduling Games (Herding Cats)

[Dragonhelm]

As we all know, scheduling games can be the worst. Especially for adults, and especially if said adults have kids or older parents that require attention.

My old college group went our separate ways about 30 years ago, as one might expect. Almost 2 years ago, we got back together again to play a "next generation" game.

Our big problem right now is scheduling.

Typically, I have always seen the DM be the one scheduling. However, in this case, the DM seems content to let everyone else do it. Throughout the process, we have had some miscommunications along the way. Some folks think we have settled on a date while the chats show that not everybody piped in.

So I have some questions...
1. Who should lead discussion on scheduling? The DM, a designated scheduler?
2. Do any of you use tools to help make this easier? Google calendar, surveys, something else?
3. Any advice or anything else I'm missing?

 

[sevenbastard]

Who should lead discussion on scheduling? The DM, a designated scheduler?

No. This is the default for most groups, but it shouldn't be. The DM has to do all the prep taking on the extra work load/stress of scheduling is not fair and is more likely to cause DM burnout.

Realistically each group should have a Lead Player who handles scheduling and interparty conflict. Let the DM focus on prep and crafting a great game, not management.

 

[DEFCON 1]

My only advice is to just choose a set day of the week and say it is that day every week. Those that can make that day can play in the campaign, those that can't won't.

Then, once the day of the week is established, the group can choose to cancel any singular day if say half the group can't make it any particular night.

 

[payn]

So I have some questions...
1. Who should lead discussion on scheduling? The DM, a designated scheduler?

I think the group should decide who that role belongs to and respect it.

2. Do any of you use tools to help make this easier? Google calendar, surveys, something else?

I use discord, myself. Its usually an easy way to record the discussions and have them at anytime.

I am in a group currently with a fella thats pretty on the ball with scheduling and things. He updates a Google Calendar and sends it to everybody. He is very good at updating it as sometimes we have to change day or location. Its been helpful.

3. Any advice or anything else I'm missing?

I'd say you need a stickler. Somebody thats going to ask "are you in?" and hunt down everyone's response. Some folks are just bad at sounding off.

 

[Reynard]

I have found that it is better to simply set a regular day and time: Monday nights at 7, every 3rd wednesday 6-10, whatever. If it is part of folks' overall schedule, it gets done. If you try and find a time that works for eveyone, you will never get there.

Related aside: I have a couple weekly games and a couple monthly games. But because of Real Life (tm) those weekly games average out to be biweekly (as a surveyor and engineer, I often have to do evening municipal commission meetings). Those monthly games are bi-monthly, which I hate. But, every once in a while, a run of 4 or 6 weekly sessions happens and that feel great!

 

[Whisper-Kitten]

They that wield the dice behind the screen holds the ultimate power in the universe. I suggest you use it. The same way everyone else in power has done since the begining of time: by delegating the job to someone else.

 

[SkidAce]

A little levity or so....

 

[SkidAce]

 

[Koloth]

The two groups I play in normally do every other week. Near the end of each session, we check if 'two weeks' works for the next game. Sometimes we need to change due to 'reasons'. We don't bother trying to schedule farther out then the next game. Too many variables. I maintain an old school email list for one group. Some else does a Discord group for the other.

One group wants every player to be there or not play. The other will play something despite multiple missing people.

IMO - For adults, having a consistent repeating time slot works best. If all players know that Friday @ 6pm is game time, efforts will be made to keep that time clear. Otherwise, people tend to find something else to do. Plus it give the players a reason for pre allocating that time slot in case kids, partners, friends want to schedule that slot for non gaming things.

 

[abazaba]

We normally try to plan for the next session right at the end of the current session (we normally play on the weekends), and it normally is just the first person to go 'hey, can we plan for the next session ?". This can be the DM, but not always is by definition. If sometime after that somehow the planned session cannot go through after all, the DM usually puts a 'multiple choice poll' in our WhatsApp group, which lists the coming weekends. People can then 'vote' for certain dates (or choose not to), which immediately makes clear which date(s) are convenient for all of us, or who has not responded yet at all. For us, this works.