Would you play D&D in a public place?

[Elf Witch]

I have played in a book store and in a resturant. We used to go to Denny's after the book store closed and since we were good tippers the managment did not mind. We ordered food, we were not loud and the night manager and waitstaff would always ask so did you live through that last fight.

We picked up a player from one of the waiters who became intrested after watching us play.

I prefer playing in private only because it is more quiet, less distractions and usually we have access to more books that we may need.

 

[Kaodi]

Now that I think it, all the places I ever gamed were (technically) public. In our group, the first planning session was in a public library, and every other game was played at the University. Of course, we were mostly in out of the way locations, so I'm not sure it *really* counts.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Nah. I want to be able to play in peace. Plus, I don't want to watch my tongue.

"Look, we'll have to interrupt your detailed description of how you torture that guy, because there are kids again, they'll hear you and won't be able to sleep tonight."

 

[WhatGravitas]

Public = other people. Nothing destroys the mood of a game as much as interference by the Real World (i.e. annoying people who will be drawn to you and ask you stuff/interrupt you/whatever), hence I wouldn't play in public - but not because of being afraid of being framed as a "geek".

 

[JRR_Talking]

always take some rpg stuff if u r going anywhere on an aeroplane with other people who play.

passes the time cheaply in an airport (and have played on a plane occcassionally). We tend to have 1 or 2 boys holidays away each year so invariabley roll some dice in some foreign land in a public place....plus its a way to meet new people on holiday!

 

[Desdichado]

Probably. Depends on how distracting the environment would be to the game. That's a bigger issue to me than being seen playing D&D and people thinking I'm uncool, or whatever. Playing in a privately controlled environment tends to be better for the game itself. No distractions.

 

[ShinHakkaider]

When I was younger, maybe.
But now? No. I want to be in at least semi-comfortable surroundings.
Right now, I kinda have no choice but to run in a crowded game store and even that kinda sucks. But a public restaurant, no. Library? Maybe. If I were doing an intro session.

As much as I'm for bringing new people into that hobby, when I'm actually running a game I want to remain focused on the task at hand and have as few interruptions as possible.

 

[Hairy Minotaur]

Back in the early 80's we used to play in the foreign language building on the Air Force Base we were stationed at. Our group was made up of linguist and Intelligence Officers (the druid and thieves' cant was completely drawn up and spoken)

In the early 90's we gamed on an Amtrack train bound for San Antonio, that garnered some odd stares.

 

[Shadowslayer]

Played several times while camping at a Provincial Park. That's actually fun to do in the evening with a campfire nearby. But...that's sorta private and probably not what you meant.

Never actually played in a public place. Not for any particular reason, it just never came up.

I would though, depending on who I was playing with. Pick up game where I don't know the guys? Probably not. Game with friends? Absolutely.

 

[Lanefan]

I'm truly surprised that nobody has yet mentioned playing in a pub, or bar. I've done this many a time...usually to cover game situations that don't need trappings such as mini's, the chalkboard, etc. such as when one character has become separated from the party; or treasury division; or "mini-adventures" where we ignore nitty-gritty details and just work out if the PCs survive or not...

Things go better with beer.

Lanefan