wolf70 said:
@ Nightcloak - Thanks! I appreciate your candor and advice. Just a few weeks ago, I was helping somebody else with a similar problem, but as sometimes happens, I have now run up against a problem that is getting the best of me, and thanks to ENWORLD, others are helping me as I have helped in the past. I think its great.
Well said. Leave a few cold drinks in the fridge, I’m probably next!
Okay, I have boiled down your advice and will respond with more specifics in an effort to get more to the crux of the problem if possible.
After two sessions of utter silliness and distraction ...
Oh boy… You surveyed they players and some are doing a 180 on you? That’s not good. If that’s the case, then I think the trouble runs deeper. Barring an unknown personality conflict then I’m going to suggest some of the players have changed on a “metagame level”. By metagame, I mean the reasons they play the game in the first place or what the want out of the game. This would be something they might not even be aware of themselves. The players are probably not getting something they want out of the game, and out of boredom or apathy are finding ways to entertain themselves. Please don’t take that wrong, I’m not saying anything bad about your game, after all, the majority of the players are obviously enjoying themselves which indicates the game is fine. These guys are just no longer getting the same thing out of it as they use to and have become restless.
This is the player version of the same thing you are going through. You are also restless and frustrated because you are not getting the things you want out of the game.
The million-dollar question is why these players have their priorities changed and how have they changed? Maybe they just want to socialize more, or need specific interaction to keep their attention (maybe the grim and gritty game interacted with them in a way that is different now). You indicated they are younger; their involvement in role-playing could very well be “evolving” with age as they play the game more. They may need something different or are just losing interest. Heck, at that age, it could be something simple as an interest in dating or parties with friends.
I really, don’t know. I don’t now these guys like you do. I’m just throwing lots of things I have seen and hope it hits a spot that resonates with you. But the point is something is up and you need to identify it.
Some “metagaming” issues can be fixed by creative gaming. If the players just need more interaction to keep their attention, then you can provide interesting side quests or personal story arcs. Or maybe hit them hard with combat.
But if other interests are just pulling their attention away, then you will have some tough choices to make. I’d talk to everyone individually at that point and be honest; you might save the third guy if he realizes how much you would like him to stay and why. If he thinks you are just randomly “booting” people from the game, he will see you as the triggerman and leave with his friends. If he sees that his friends are leaving because they no longer have an interest in the game, but he still does want to play thanks to your interest in him, then he will see it as their decision and would be more likely to stay.
I really need to learn to say things more concise!
Hope all of this helps and I hope I triggered a few ideas. Best of luck, and definitely let me now if I can help more. Let us know what happens.
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