Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2014 19:34:44 GMT -8
In high school, we had a pretty regular schedule for our weekly game. Even later in late teens, it wasn't hard putting together a regular game. Now-a-days, players have irregular work schedules, wives, kids, etc... not to mention occasions when a player just decides they'd rather play WoWC instead.
I'm in two groups that play on Roll20 -travel time eliminated- and the games are still irregular.
Thoughts, tips, and techniques on maintaining a regular game group when in your 30s and beyond, please!
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Post by Kainguru on Jun 14, 2014 22:27:51 GMT -8
Ah <long weary sigh as if feeling the full weight of time passed on ones shoulders) - that is probably the eternal question . . . :/ Aaron
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Post by Houndin on Jun 15, 2014 6:05:59 GMT -8
I have found that scheduling at least two weeks out helps. As well as having a regular, static time. I have also found being able to sub in a light game, or "hand wave" a character missing is essential as well.
My current game is on a slight hiatus due to scheduling issues, but The biggest problem I've had with it was when two players couldn't make it. That's half the party. I feel that, if scheduling is hard, a party of 5 or 6, expecting at least one no show every game works best. but if you have solid players, 4 is better for online gaming due to the overtalking problem on G+ or skype.
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Post by Luckstrider on Jun 15, 2014 7:05:05 GMT -8
My gaming group actually consists of 7 players but we almost assume a couple of people will be gone. It's only once a month at most when everyone is there. Otherwise we hand wave that the missing characters are in the background. It works for our group because we would rather get together than skip a week.
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Post by Kainguru on Jun 15, 2014 8:08:48 GMT -8
Try scheduling when 3 of the group of 6 are shift workers with the added bonus of austerity UK meaning the managers ring at least one of you on the day off wanting one to work (because they don't want to pay temp rates). Smaller groups are easier to maintain as you get older. Sometimes you just have to sacrifice quantity for quality. Aaron
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2014 16:20:15 GMT -8
Yeah, we've got a guy who works p/t for a department store and they change his schedule all the time. In my other group we have 4 players and 1 GM and a few of the guys have families so we play about once every 6 weeks.
I was thinking an episodic game template would be good but then you're really limited to the genre and depth of the games; I would love to run a Trail of Cthulhu game, but it could suck missing a session of it.
Thanks for the advice guys, may just have to factor on 1 or 2 people missing a session sometimes.
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tomes
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Post by tomes on Jun 15, 2014 18:32:54 GMT -8
I've had this exact same problem many times. I can't say that I have a perfect solution.
At first I got good at changing the story based on which characters were there. One session ends with the PCs entering the necromancers lair. The next session starts with the players noticing that one of their own has disappeared. The session after that I had a new PC and he joined in with the missing player who has fallen down a trapshoot. Etc. the session after that they were all there, so the missing players found the secret door that led them into the exact same combat that the other players were in.
The problem is it creates a lot of fairly creative story direction changes. This is not too different from "yes and", however it would not work if you have a specific idea of the direction of your story.
In my new campaign, I have a more episodic story. I try to make each session like a mini con game. I agree this would not work for all campaigns. But I am trying it for this group because they show up inconsistently.
I find that because many of the players do not show up different weeks I confirm one or two days before game day. At least this way I can plan for who won't be there, which often affects the direction of my loose planning for the game. In some ways this inspires me to be quick on my feet and come up with interesting story changes. On the flipside it can be frustrating and annoying.
It also helps that many of us like to play board games. The backup plan if few people show up, is to play these.
All I can say is good luck. And let me know if you find any other cool tricks that work.
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christheabject
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Post by christheabject on Jun 15, 2014 19:03:05 GMT -8
When you get an answer, please tell me.
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D.T. Pints
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Post by D.T. Pints on Jun 15, 2014 20:25:13 GMT -8
Kidnapping.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2014 3:22:39 GMT -8
I should note that one of our groups has a google doc spreadsheet with an availability calendar, a great idea... but all it shows is how rare it is for all of us to be available : ).
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C. A. Lazerdwarf
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Overprepping for the wrong subplot
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Post by C. A. Lazerdwarf on Jun 18, 2014 17:51:04 GMT -8
Playing over roll20 or G+ should be easier to schedule and arrange, but I feel infinitely more guilty ignoring the family when I'm in the same house as them as when I leave to game elsewhere.
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Post by greatwyrm on Jun 18, 2014 18:46:32 GMT -8
G+ and Roll20 have definitely saved our group after years of moving apart, careers, and family. We just find the least terrible day for everyone that can play and don't start until after the average bedtime for our kids.
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Muddyboots
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Post by Muddyboots on Nov 20, 2014 17:13:22 GMT -8
Could work... This is a very real problem for many! In my life, I work odd long hours in lumps. I have other hobbies that are also serious lifestyles.* I'm a long distance hiker, mountaineer and outdoor skills teacher in addition to my day job. So, on time off, my partner and I need to choose what we do. If time off lines up in the house we need to make hard choices. If she is working when I'm off, it weighs things differently. *That's what gaming has to be if you want to keep doing it. It is a life style! Also a note for you young people who are searching for life partners: If you live a "jeep" life, quit trying to drive "sports cars!" It will be fun for a while but eventually you will dent the rims or blow your gear box. If you live a "sedan" life and you dig a "jeep", are you willing to change for her/him? be real about it! And, yes, you will make bad choices. That's okay. Just don't repeat them! If you really connect with somebody and they love your hobbies (or at least love that YOU love your hobbies) it makes life easy. If they share the love without competition, then you win! Lastly, Sex with crazy people is crazy sex! Afterward, they are STILL crazy!!! Are you okay with crazy breakfast? how about crazy ( you fill in the blank!)? HTH! Muddyboots
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Post by Kainguru on Nov 21, 2014 7:04:06 GMT -8
Oh yeah I can vouch for the crazies being crazy 24/7 - one old flame took the time out to have a dig at me thru an old mutual FB friend nearly 20 years after the fact . . . 'cause, well, crazy . . . . . . and, yes, contentment is finding the partner that matches your lifestyle. . . . It may take awhile but when you click you click. That is NOT to say there will be no differences of opinion . . . that just comes with territory. ie; if you want a partner that always agrees with you then hermit might be the preferred lifestyle choice Aaron
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