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Advice?
Dec 7, 2011 12:59:39 GMT -8
Post by ironnikki on Dec 7, 2011 12:59:39 GMT -8
I was going to post this in the show topics thread, but I don't think that it really merits an entire topic, so I'll just leave it here.
I've recently moved into a two-bedroom apartment with my girlfriend and another couple. The apartment is really nice, but as is the case with most apartments, pretty small. Now, my girlfriend is one of those special few who tolerate RPG's in their places of residence. She even occasionally clears off our small kitchen table to play on, which is great, but well... small.
I'm currently running a SW game set in Rapture from Bioshock (I got the idea from another Happy Jacker; whoever you are, thank you!) We have four players that show up regularly, and with the five of us, there's little room to spare. There are others who come and go, which only aggravates the problem. I realized that I was taking up more than 1/3 of the table with my stuff, which was composed of a GM screen, laptop, pad of paper, pencil, and several dice. The only book we were using was the SW Deluxe edition, which someone constantly held on their lap to conserve table space. If I ever wanted to use a battle mat, it would have to be on a separate table, or more realistically, the floor (we don't have another table :-P)
To the other GM's out there: how do you manage table real estate? Do you use screens and/or laptops? Do you have clipboards or something for PC character sheets so that they're not on the table? I've typed up all of the additional rules that I've made for the Rapture setting, including stat blocks, powers, locations, etc. and regularly reference these files during the game. Would I be better off just printing everything and eliminating the laptop from the table? Unfortunately, I don't have an iPad or similar tablet, so that's not an option (yet.)
Thanks for your help!
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Advice?
Dec 7, 2011 13:10:08 GMT -8
Post by inflatus on Dec 7, 2011 13:10:08 GMT -8
Dump the laptop. I would print out what you need to run the session. You may want to try and pick up a small end table. You can put next to your chair and put the books and papers. Now you would only have the GM screen, papers needed for the session and dice. Just lean back int he chair and prop the book and pad if you need to use them.
The only other thing I can think of is if there is someone in the group that has room in their home and car to bring a bigger folding table. Just furnish the beer for him if he brings it to the sessions.
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joegun
Journeyman Douchebag
Posts: 249
Preferred Game Systems: Savage Worlds
Currently Playing: Just GM'ing right now.
Currently Running: Rippers Resurrected, and Savage RIFTS!
Favorite Species of Monkey: Baboon
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Advice?
Dec 7, 2011 13:57:18 GMT -8
Post by joegun on Dec 7, 2011 13:57:18 GMT -8
Another option is to tech out. I plug my laptop into the TV and make a duel monitor. Throw Gametable up on the screen for the battlemap (saves on us buying minis to boot!). I use the PDF version of SWD (although the book is on the floor if anyone needs it. I have all my notes in Obsidian Portal which is just a tab away, and everyone just rolls dice on the coffee table. It gives everyone a more comfortable chair ( couches vs kitchen chairs ) And all the Players need is char sheets and dice( and bennies since its SW! ). Of course coaxing the rest of your house to give up the living room is another topic This also ditches the GM screen as you can just use your laptop as the screen.
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Advice?
Dec 7, 2011 14:08:32 GMT -8
Post by whutaguy on Dec 7, 2011 14:08:32 GMT -8
When I played in my dinky apartment, we mostly sat on the floor and put the mat on the coffee table.
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Advice?
Dec 7, 2011 14:33:21 GMT -8
Post by ironnikki on Dec 7, 2011 14:33:21 GMT -8
Luckily, the living room is donated to us for the entirety of the night, and we have a nice big flatscreen that is visible from our table. I hadn't thought about using it for a digital battle mat; that's a great idea. We've been doing well without a mat for this game, but if and when we move back to Pathfinder, I'll definitely keep that in mind.
Thanks for the replies, everyone!
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jimto
Supporter
Posts: 246
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Advice?
Dec 7, 2011 15:11:55 GMT -8
Post by jimto on Dec 7, 2011 15:11:55 GMT -8
Most likely if I was in this situation I'd buy one of those wooden TV trays they sell for $10 at Walmart and keep my lesser used items on it, situated next to my chair. Afterwards they fold up and take little space in a closet when not being used.
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Advice?
Dec 7, 2011 20:57:09 GMT -8
Post by fray on Dec 7, 2011 20:57:09 GMT -8
I second the TV tray. I use them at home. Another option... the one I use, play at your local game shop.
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Advice?
Dec 8, 2011 12:04:45 GMT -8
Post by ironnikki on Dec 8, 2011 12:04:45 GMT -8
I'd love to play at a local game shop, but unfortunately, there aren't any that are less than 30 minutes away from me. Several years ago, there were two shops, one that was even within walking distance, but they've both since disappeared :-(
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2011 5:09:12 GMT -8
I'd love to play at a local game shop, but unfortunately, there aren't any that are less than 30 minutes away from me. Several years ago, there were two shops, one that was even within walking distance, but they've both since disappeared :-( There may be other options. If there's any public institution in your area that will let you reserve meeting rooms. Around here, some folks have used the public library (it has such rooms), or if you have a local rec center or something. Maybe even a nearby college, though those usually require at least one of you to be attending said college. --Pukka Tukka
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Advice?
Dec 9, 2011 15:15:25 GMT -8
Post by jazzisblues on Dec 9, 2011 15:15:25 GMT -8
Years ago I used a rolling cart. I kept all of my stuff in it all the time. Then when it was game time I just rolled it out to the table. My gm screen went on it I rolled dice on the top of it everything else was inside handily organized. Here's a pic of what I'm talking about. This one is fairly expensive but there are others for less. I got a wire one somewhere (forget where) to keep my music stuff in for much less than this costs at Target. Also handily rolls up to wherever you are working on the game and there you go. JiB
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Advice?
Dec 10, 2011 12:10:44 GMT -8
Post by ironnikki on Dec 10, 2011 12:10:44 GMT -8
While I was in school, we had our weekly games in our Union, which worked out really well. I currently work as a research scientist at a university, but it's too far from my players to make it a feasible option for them. I've recently learned that our local library actually hosts a Pathfinder Society game biweekly, so maybe they've got an extra room that we could play in. I'll look into that.
I really like the idea of a portable TV tray, or rolling cart. I think that those would probably solve my problem handily. Thanks!
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Advice?
Dec 11, 2011 8:16:21 GMT -8
Post by jazzisblues on Dec 11, 2011 8:16:21 GMT -8
Very glad to help hope that everything goes well with your game.
JiB
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Advice?
Dec 11, 2011 21:41:42 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2011 21:41:42 GMT -8
Looks like you pretty much solved your problem although I'm gonna throw in my two cents anyway.
One thing I've seen a friend of mine do that works pretty well is to use a small dry erase board for random messages to players and other temporary game information like enemy Hp and initiative and such. Doesn't necessarily save any table space, although it could if you end up replacing something else like a full sized notebook with it.
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highroad
Initiate Douchebag
has a plan
Posts: 17
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Advice?
Dec 14, 2011 14:06:40 GMT -8
Post by highroad on Dec 14, 2011 14:06:40 GMT -8
Years ago I used a rolling cart. (snip) JiB Holy cow, that is a brilliant idea, I must utilize this. I agree that table real estate always seems to be a problem. I typically run a table for six and even a modestly sized table runs out of space quickly. I also just recently got a tablet and I'm hoping to implement that into my game table. Thanks for the suggestion. HR
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Advice?
Dec 15, 2011 4:31:27 GMT -8
Post by jazzisblues on Dec 15, 2011 4:31:27 GMT -8
My pleasure, very happy I can help.
I've been debating about getting a tablet to put all my pdf's on to put on the table for reference purposes. The problem I run into is that it would be a$500 pdf reader because that's all I would do with it. So, I've been reluctant to drop the money but I may end up getting one anyway.
JiB
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