Will you DM or play in pick up games?

arscott · Apr 22, 2008

I'm really hoping that DDI has some sort of channel system that would let me set up games specifically with fellow ENWorlders, or with Folks from my school's gaming club, or whatever.

vladbat · Apr 22, 2008

I will be DM'ing my RL game and have a VTT game set up already. What I'm hoping for is more pickup type games. I plan to replace the time I use to spend sequestered away in my office playing WoW or LoTRO on D&D instead. I just need some flexibility on the times as my long suffering wife will be losing me 2 set times a week already.

Stilvan · Apr 22, 2008

I'm really looking forward to DDI. I haven't DM'd in years so will start out as a player to get back into the swing of things. If DDI works well and time permits I'll gladly put on the DM hat again.

Sphyre · Apr 22, 2008

Last I heard there was VoIP planned for it. Having played in chat rooms before and enjoyed it, but disliked the sluggish speed, I think that they'd have to keep that feature for me to enjoy it.

My interest in it relies almost solely on whether or not I can find a good game that I look forward to playing in, so I think I'd probably have better luck finding a good game here than in the lobby.

Irda Ranger · Apr 22, 2008

I'll be honest, I don't "get" the concept of pickup games for D&D. It makes sense for no-story-necessary, short term stuff like Halo levels or a quick spin around GT racetrack (or sports in the park), but I just don't see it for D&D.

Of course, D&D means different things to different people, but if all you're looking for is a sit down to bash some Orcs I really think WoW (or Diablo 2, or whatever) is better suited to what you're looking for. That's not a slam, because I love my Starcraft or AoE lan parties, it's just a "Are you sure you're using the best tool for the job?" question. To "reduce" D&D to playing a couple Diablo levels seems like you're missing the best parts of the game (the RP part).

IMO, of course.

On the other hand, of course, DDI may end up being the cat's pajamas for groups that are spread out geographically. But weekly regular play, which continues a story and character development, is quite different from "pickup games."

I'm A Banana · Apr 22, 2008

Something like this could get me very much on board.

A chance to play D&D with people I'd rarely get the chance to play with IRL, but would love to play with? Message board posters that I know I'd get along with, and those that could maybe show me something new?

Heck yeah. That sounds stellar no matter WHAT the game!

Dathalas · Apr 22, 2008

Sure, I'll play in and DM some pickup games. That's one of the reasons I'm looking forward to using DDI. It's like getting one of the coolest parts of conventions in your own home.

rob626 · Apr 23, 2008

Very much looking forward to this. Planning to use it as a player scouting mechanism. Not all dms and players enjoy the same styles of play so widening the pool from which to draw will be a huge plus! Putting together a stable and long term oriented group based on initial playtests and screenings sounds exactly like what I am looking for.

How many groups have been destroyed by adding players on the hopes that their styles would be compatible only to find that 4 sessions in there really was no match? I'll admit. I've been burned more than once.

Bring on June!

Saishu_Heiki · Apr 23, 2008

Kamikaze Midget said:
Something like this could get me very much on board.

A chance to play D&D with people I'd rarely get the chance to play with IRL, but would love to play with? Message board posters that I know I'd get along with, and those that could maybe show me something new?

Heck yeah. That sounds stellar no matter WHAT the game!

Exactly.

This possibility alone makes me want 4e/DDI.

D'karr · Apr 23, 2008

Irda Ranger said:
I'll be honest, I don't "get" the concept of pickup games for D&D. It makes sense for no-story-necessary, short term stuff like Halo levels or a quick spin around GT racetrack (or sports in the park), but I just don't see it for D&D.

Of course, D&D means different things to different people, but if all you're looking for is a sit down to bash some Orcs I really think WoW (or Diablo 2, or whatever) is better suited to what you're looking for. That's not a slam, because I love my Starcraft or AoE lan parties, it's just a "Are you sure you're using the best tool for the job?" question. To "reduce" D&D to playing a couple Diablo levels seems like you're missing the best parts of the game (the RP part).

IMO, of course.

On the other hand, of course, DDI may end up being the cat's pajamas for groups that are spread out geographically. But weekly regular play, which continues a story and character development, is quite different from "pickup games."

You see the thing about it is that a pick-up game can lead to a regular game. My experience with Living Greyhawk started with a pickup game. Then I kept playing with a group of regular players (about 20) that kept rotating for the specific adventures they needed for each character. It was a lot of fun and the characters were great. I got to meet some really cool people and some of them I even consider good friends.

So you get out of a pickup game whatever you put into it, IMO.