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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Emirikol" data-source="post: 4412214" data-attributes="member: 10638">Elitist and exclusionary ways to be happy with your groupHussar:You speak the absolute truth.  When I was learning Maptools, I'd pick up a few people from the WotC chat boards...man, there are a lot of fricking morons over there..I'd start a game, and 4 people would be having fun BUT there would always be one stinking idiot that had to try to ruin the game and I'd have to eject them.  Players are dime-a-dozen either tabletop or online. I'm like you, I interview players now and don't put with ANY crap whatsoever.  The same is true of tabletop players.  I simply dont' invite people back or boot them out.As for online player interview questions, they are similar to the face to face games. These are nothing personal of course, they are just red flags you need to look for in orde to rule-out unreliable people or people who might not fit in your game.  The most crucial thing to start with is YOUR GAME DETAILS.Your game details:When, how, where, why, how much.  YOU lay down the rules first and then tell the players what YOUR game is.  If you look unreliable, they will be unreliable too.  I always start with the cool benefits of my world and how it's different or better than standard D&D and that you have SPECIFIC RACES that are allowed in your game with good, detailed background.1.  What are your work hours?  <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If not a student and doesn't have a job, then not a candidate</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If work hours are highly variable, then not likely to be able to make it, or unreliable, then not a candidate.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If person not willing to share this information, then not a candidate becasue they are probably embarassed that they don't have a job (they could lie anyways) 2. Do you know how to use MAPTOOLS and SKYPE (or whatever)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">If no, they will need to show commitment by watching the tutorial and learning skype BEFORE they can be considered for candidacy.  If they won't commit to watching the tutorial beforehand, they're a flake and not a candidate. 3.  What time-zone are you in?  </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> If an abnormal time-zone, then not a candidate 4.  Do you have any barriers to being able to play regularly?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">  This helps rule out unreliable people too.  Some people have normal reasons why they can't play regularly too..in which case, theyre also not a candidate. 5.  Describe your last two game groups and why you left.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Obvious reasons. Some people come right out and say they didn't fit in to their last group.  Abnormal people, even though they're being honest, are not a candidate and best look elsewhere. 6.  Describe your two favorite characters.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">  This will give you a good idea of what kind of player they are. 7.  Describe your favorite gaming style.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> This question helps you decide how much you as a DM are willing to bend in order to cater to this person.  8.  What kind of aversions do you have towards descriptions of violence, gore, vile evil, tasteless jokes, foul language, gamers that drink and game, ancient slavery, common PC death, prostitution themes, historical female and male family roles, in-party romance, references to adult situations, and intolerance of rules-lawyering?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">  Although you may not be using any of those issue, it helps rule out some of the over-sensitive egg-shell-heads out there. Having a standardized set of questions (NOT TOO MANY BTW) really helps you keep your head above water in dealing with potential players.  There are a lot of normal players out there, but it only takes 1-2 idiot players to ruin your whole gaming experience and chase off your good onesj. Another tip is to ALWAYS keep an advertisement up for your game.  ALWAYS be looking for new players.  YOu can always tell them, "Sorry, the group just filled up, but I'll contact you as soon as there's an opening." The best thing you can tell all potential players is WE'RE TRYING OUT SEVERAL NEW PLAYERS and I can get you in for a game this week and then we're trying out "JimBob" next week. As for ditching players for online games, I do one of several things: 1.  Lie to them and tell them that you're not playing anytime soon and then just get some new players and play anyways..don't forget to change your password and tell the other players. 2.  Tell them thanks, but you're going to try out some other players and will email them after you've tried out a few. jh .. ..</li> </ul></blockquote>

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