A couple of years ago at Gen Con I had the scariest experience any GM can ever have. One of the players joined my Doctor Who game saying it was their first time role-playing. This wasn't scary because I thought they'll play it wrong or because I'd have to explain anything about the rules. It was scary because I knew that if I screwed up this game that player may never game for the rest of their life.
While gaming isn't for everyone I've heard many stories of people saying "yeah, I tried that D&D thing a while ago but it was rubbish so I won't do that again". Just like that, the player loses all the great moments they might have had with the right game, and we lose the amazing stories they might have told us.
Thankfully, the player in question enjoyed the game, and was back at the next Gen Con to play some more. But there are plenty of pitfalls in introducing a new player, so let's look at how to avoid some of them.
Sure, they might need a nudge to try something new and weird, but if they really don't want to, no matter how much you honestly believe it will change their life for the better, let them say no. Keep the offer open though. If they feel welcome then eventually they might say "You know, I'm actually free on Saturday, do you mind if I join that game thing of yours?"
As a quick sidebar, its usually a bad idea to make this sort of thing a date, unless you are already a couple. You are unlikely to impress someone with your 'leet gaming skilz' if they don't really know what's going on. Hitting on them when they are trying to figure it out is also not going to go down well. If something happens later on, then good for you. You might even make a romantic connection together over a gaming table somewhere down the line. But the first time someone plays, the game should be all they are worried about.
Remember again not to force them into playing what you think is best or what you think they'd like. Ask them. Give them some options and see what they like the sound of. Sometimes you'll find the right game is just a no brainer when you check what they are into. One potential new player once said to me "By the way, I've been reading these amazing books recently. Have you heard of this writer called H P Lovecraft?" It was pretty easy to figure out what game she'd like to play first.
All this means that in general you should pick a simple system. If it uses more than one type of dice you might want to consider something different. Remember that while this may all be simple and clear to someone whose been playing for years, the multitude of dice and numbers can be exceptionally off putting to some people. I should also add that it doesn't help to say 'it's easy' - that just makes the new person feel stupid for not getting it. It may only be simple maths to add up three different modifiers and roll a dice, but when you don't understand where those numbers come from or what you are even rolling the dice for its yet another barrier.
Having said that, some people are very comfortable with rules, even complex ones. Someone with a wargame background will feel more at home with a complex rules system they can get their teeth into. I'm also not saying run something narrative either. Dice and rolls give a new person clear tasks to achieve that can be easily explained "I want to pick a lock" "Ok, you just need to roll five or more on this dice." Asking what their motivation is and then asking them to make up a story on the spot can work for some people but can easily be just as intimidating as a complex set of numbers and modifiers.
Focus ideally on a couple of cool things to bring their attention to. Usually a signature skill and a signature attack. The rest of the sheet is in front of them, but now they know when combat happens they should use their magic broadsword and they are also good at picking locks if that comes up (so make sure the signature skill isn't someone another player is already an expert at). This way the group will help bring them into the adventure "Hey John, can your character take a look at this lock?" This will not only help the player feel part of the group, but also that they are not just tagging along, that the party actually needs them.
So, in general, the key here is to listen to what they want, much as you should with any player to be honest. Make sure they get to play the game they want to play, not the one you thought was best for them. Once they are part of the hobby, you'll have plenty of time to show them everything else, and they will come to you to find out what most excites you about gaming.
While gaming isn't for everyone I've heard many stories of people saying "yeah, I tried that D&D thing a while ago but it was rubbish so I won't do that again". Just like that, the player loses all the great moments they might have had with the right game, and we lose the amazing stories they might have told us.
Thankfully, the player in question enjoyed the game, and was back at the next Gen Con to play some more. But there are plenty of pitfalls in introducing a new player, so let's look at how to avoid some of them.
Don't Force the Issue
Obviously, we all know gaming is awesome but not everyone is aware of this and not everyone gets bitten by the bug as quickly. So if someone you know expresses an interest, or you think they'd like gaming and want to tempt them into a game session, don't nag. Drop them a line and tell them when your game is, and if they are free then great, but if not let them go. Few things will put them off more than you dragging them there. They'll already be hating it before they've even sat down at the table.Sure, they might need a nudge to try something new and weird, but if they really don't want to, no matter how much you honestly believe it will change their life for the better, let them say no. Keep the offer open though. If they feel welcome then eventually they might say "You know, I'm actually free on Saturday, do you mind if I join that game thing of yours?"
As a quick sidebar, its usually a bad idea to make this sort of thing a date, unless you are already a couple. You are unlikely to impress someone with your 'leet gaming skilz' if they don't really know what's going on. Hitting on them when they are trying to figure it out is also not going to go down well. If something happens later on, then good for you. You might even make a romantic connection together over a gaming table somewhere down the line. But the first time someone plays, the game should be all they are worried about.
Prep Your Group
Generally, gamers are among the most welcoming people I know. But they can also be very set in their ways. If you have a new player you want to introduce (whether you are the GM or a player) mention it to the group before you bring them. Don't just turn up with them on the day. Firstly the GM will need to prepare to cater for someone new to the game, and the players might need to as well. The presence of a newbie will slow things down as they will have a lot to get used to. So the group needs to be ready for that, and patient with it. Don't let Bob getting frustrated 'because the noob didn't know what dice to roll' be the reason they don't come back. Especially if a quick chat to Bob the previous session would have changed his attitude.Pick the Right Game Setting
Just because a particular game is your favorite, it doesn't mean it will strike a chord with the new player. In this case, licenses are very much your friend, and you can pick one the new player is a fan of. It will be a lot more enticing to a Buffy fan to play a slayer or a scooby than join a game of Invisible Sun, even though Invisible Sun is awesome. If the new player knows the setting they are already halfway there and will feel comfortable in the game world.Remember again not to force them into playing what you think is best or what you think they'd like. Ask them. Give them some options and see what they like the sound of. Sometimes you'll find the right game is just a no brainer when you check what they are into. One potential new player once said to me "By the way, I've been reading these amazing books recently. Have you heard of this writer called H P Lovecraft?" It was pretty easy to figure out what game she'd like to play first.
Pick the Right System
Even with a setting they know, a new gamer will probably have the most trouble with the rules system. It saddens me to often hear a new D&D player say "I just started playing, but I'm not very good". By which they mean 'I don't quite get all the rules' rather than 'I had no idea about character and story'. When someone sits down to play a game it is easy for a newbie to think the rules are what matters.All this means that in general you should pick a simple system. If it uses more than one type of dice you might want to consider something different. Remember that while this may all be simple and clear to someone whose been playing for years, the multitude of dice and numbers can be exceptionally off putting to some people. I should also add that it doesn't help to say 'it's easy' - that just makes the new person feel stupid for not getting it. It may only be simple maths to add up three different modifiers and roll a dice, but when you don't understand where those numbers come from or what you are even rolling the dice for its yet another barrier.
Having said that, some people are very comfortable with rules, even complex ones. Someone with a wargame background will feel more at home with a complex rules system they can get their teeth into. I'm also not saying run something narrative either. Dice and rolls give a new person clear tasks to achieve that can be easily explained "I want to pick a lock" "Ok, you just need to roll five or more on this dice." Asking what their motivation is and then asking them to make up a story on the spot can work for some people but can easily be just as intimidating as a complex set of numbers and modifiers.
Make Sure They Play a Character They Like
The character is the key that brings the person into the world, so make sure they have something they are comfortable with. Making them sit through character creation might be off putting depending on the game. Handing then a sheet of numbers and saying 'this is you' is equally unhelpful though. So ask them what they want to play, what powers they might like to have and what attributes and skills they would like to favor, and then go away and make that character up yourself. It will help them understand the character when you can point out the things they asked for and show them where they are on the sheet. "That fireball spell you said was cool is noted there, and its third level so you can cast it three times a day".Focus ideally on a couple of cool things to bring their attention to. Usually a signature skill and a signature attack. The rest of the sheet is in front of them, but now they know when combat happens they should use their magic broadsword and they are also good at picking locks if that comes up (so make sure the signature skill isn't someone another player is already an expert at). This way the group will help bring them into the adventure "Hey John, can your character take a look at this lock?" This will not only help the player feel part of the group, but also that they are not just tagging along, that the party actually needs them.
Make Sure Their Voice is Heard
To round off, here's the most important thing: make sure they are not ignored. New players used to board games will assume they are waiting for a turn, and the free for all of an RPG may push them off balance and make them frightened to speak up. I've known some people take to it like a duck to water, but it doesn't happen often. So make sure the GM doesn't allow the other players to talk over them, rubbish their ideas, or ignore them. An evening watching other people have a great time really sucks. So listen to them and try to find out what aspect of the game most gets their attention. Is it combat, puzzle solving, role-play etc. Find what might ignite that spark, and remember you have only that evening to do it. If you do it right they might ask to come back again, maybe not next week but maybe some other time. If they have a boring time they will never bother with the game again.So, in general, the key here is to listen to what they want, much as you should with any player to be honest. Make sure they get to play the game they want to play, not the one you thought was best for them. Once they are part of the hobby, you'll have plenty of time to show them everything else, and they will come to you to find out what most excites you about gaming.
