What attracts you to Game Days?

[buzz]

In preparation for organizing future Game Days (Chicago, specifically, but the question is applicable to all cities), I figuerd I'd post some time-wasting polls to pick the brains of my fellow ENWorlders.

So, first off, what is it that attracts (or would attract) you to Game Days? Specific types of events? Socializing? Shopping? Simply the chance to play?

 

[der_kluge]

I've organized a few Kansas City game days (and for those listening, we'll be doing another one this summer). I've enjoyed meeting other gamers with similar interests, and gaming, of course. But, for me, the main reason is to meet new gamers and hear their stories about their campaigns, and what kinds of games they play, etc.

 

[diaglo]

phat lewt.

ho's and ale.

 

[Henry]

The North Carolina Gamedays have been founded on two principles:

1) Meeting in person the people you speak with on a daily or weekly basis, but never get to see;

2) Playing games you otherwise never get to play.

The socializing is a great aspect - it's the reason Rel planned TWO hugely successful dinners this last Gameday instead of one. We meet, talk about campaigns, life, the universe, and everything else (so to speak).

I'm guessing from talking with many of the participants that we all have regular games, but those regulars also are preferential to certain game systems, and are hard-influenced to have one-offs of systems they don't like. I'm a firm believer that if you are motivated enough to be a regular poster of ENworld and enough to go to a gameday, you are also such an avid gamer that you are willing to try almost any system once.

For me, I've run d20 Modern, Mutants and Masterminds, and Arcana Unearthed; these are systems I'd otherwise rarely or never run. I've devoted myself to trying at least one new system or concept every gameday, and the rewards have been phenomenal. If it weren't for Gameday, I'd still not know the joys of Feng Shui, or of playing an Orc and seeing how the other half lives.

Those are what brings me out: Variety of games offered, and the chance to schmooze. The shopping aspect was pretty nice that Trinocon/GAMER offered, but not the most drawing aspect; I can shop anywhere, but I can't get that gaming and fellowship.

 

[Wombat]

Realistically anymore, nothing. Game Days, game cons and the like give me the willies nowadays. I went to a couple DunDraCons back in the early days (last one I went to would have been about 1982). Then I went to one about three years ago -- I felt very out of place, rather old, and felt that there was too much concentrated geekiness for me to handle.

I love gaming. I have a great time with my group of gamers. OTOH, I don't think I can stand another con/game day.

 

[Rel]

The socializing is a great aspect - it's the reason Rel planned TWO hugely successful dinners this last Gameday instead of one. We meet, talk about campaigns, life, the universe, and everything else (so to speak).

Aw, shucks, Henry. 'Twern't nuthin'.

That is a big draw for me (and for lots of others according to the poll results so far). I like meeting people who share my interests and seeing the same hobby from other perspectives. I also just genuinely enjoy being in a room where so many people are having so much fun.

Like Henry, I too enjoy playing systems that are different and trying them out. But it's also a little more than that. I really like playing and running one-shot games once in a while. It's different and refreshing to run a wacky, no-holds-barred game every few months where anything goes and I needn't concern myself with long term reprocussions for a steady, ongoing campaign.

You'll note me pointedly avoiding a "one-night-stand vs. ongoing, long-term-relationship" analogy here.

I also find that it lets me step out of whatever role I happen to inhabit at the time and do something different. If I've been GMing in our regular group, it gives me a chance to play and if I've been playing, I get to exert my control-freak tendencies.

It's all good, baby! And this reminds me that I'll be starting a new thread for NCGDIV, probably on Friday. Looking forward to the next one!

 

[buzz]

I definitely look for games and systems that I don't normally play. I've been to three Game Days so far (iirc), and I don't think I've played in a single D&D game. My Game Days seem to always be about Chutlhu, guns, and Synnibar.

I concur with the desire to socialize and meet ENWorlders, but I have to admit that shopping is also a draw for me. Chicago Game Day is pretty much the only time I get to go to Games Plus, and I definitely take advantage of that.

 

[ejja_1]

Reasons I attend game day

I am always the dm in my group, so it's nice to get to play every once in awhile. I also go to meet fellow gamers from my area, and to see some of the gamers from previous game days.

 

[buzz]

Shameless *bump*.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

I go to Game Days (and conventions) primarily to meet and game with the people that I talk with on a regular basis online. Secondarily, I go to play in games that I normally wouldn't get to play at home, and to try out new systems that I have never played in before. Last NC Game Day I travelled 4+ hours to game with people I have either never met, or met briefly at GenCon last year. All I can say was that it was definitly worth the trip, and I'm going to make every effort possible to go to the next one as well!