Yet Another Problem Player Thread

[irdeggman]

Assuming the player role-plays his character well at the table I have these points (if not then things are different):

It is not the player it is the type of game style the GM wants to run. Evidently the group is also split on liking or not liking the style based on earlier posts. This is not saying either is srong only that there is a mismatch. Hence it is not a "problem" player but a "problem" with matching the gaming style and players.

One of our regular group is a tremendous role-player. He doesn't participate in any e-mail role-playing (and never has). He is also a great GM. Is he a problem player? No he just plays things differently than some of the GMs want at the time.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I don't know. To me it sounds like you have expectations that are too high. My questions:

Do the other players have a problem with the way he plays?

Does the player complain that he isn't involved enough?

Does the player complain that the other players get XP that he doesn't?

Do the other players put in the extra work outside the game because they enjoy it, or because of the XP bonus? Would it bother them if you stopped giving out bonus XP for it? Would it bother you if the other players, with or without XP bonuses, put in a little less extra work?

In the end you have to decide what is best for your group, but if the player isn't hurting the game through his play and isn't demanding more without having to do extra, then why not let him continue on and don't spend a ton of effort trying to make him and his character become more involved?

 

[doghead]

I really don't see a "problem" here.

I see the GM having expections A and the player having expections B.

If the two never meet and the game isn't injured by it, no harm no foul.

Might be interesting to see how player B does.

One of my friends is pretty much a casual gamer and runs a game that shows a lot more dedication probably because he enjoys GMing more than playing.

I'd agree. The player seems to have chosen to opt out of a couple of non-essential aspects of the game, but so long as he knows what he is missing and isn't harming the game itself, leave things be. He obviously enjoys himself enough to make the time to come each week.

thotd

 

[WizarDru]

For my money, it comes down to, "is it affecting the game?" and "is everyone having fun?"

If you feel he is a good player and everyone agress, then I can see it working out. If he's just filling a seat and meeting a party requirement ("We need a cleric!"), then I'd heed PC's advice and gently nudge him towards the door, with the understanding that your styles are different.

I also have to agree that your players will generally appreciate when everyone is on the same page, style-wise. Having one player who is just waiting until the next monster encounter when you're running a court-intrigue session at a grand ball can be distracting for some players.

 

[Oryan77]

Think of it this way...the guy is saving you a LOT of work! You don't have to focus on catering to his PC and from the way it sounds, he doesn't care. He's obviously a casual player, and those types are happy just being at the table and going with the flow. They don't usually like attention. Think of his PC as a filler NPC that you don't actually have to roll during combat. I would ask him if this is true, and then ask him how much effort he wants you to put forth into catering to his PC. Just let him know you are willing to do whatever, and you just want to make sure whatever you do is fine with him.

This way, you can also focus more on the PC's belonging to player's who are more involved.

 

[Vocenoctum]

It seems like you're just taking it personally, when you really shouldn't. When you say something is optional, you can't assume everyone understands "optional means expected".

The 30 minute wrap up, is it friendly banter full of injokes or strictly game related? He's not a "friend" so you might be excluding him already. Did he try it a couple times, then stop?

Bluebooking is done "to various degrees", but he doesn't participate at all. Well, how much do your friends participate? Do they do it because they understand that for you "optional means expected"?

If there's problems in game then it's a problem, outside of that it seems to me you only want to play with friends, either bcause they're friends or because they understand what you mean when you speak in DM-Code.

Also, what does he do for a living? Married with kids?