Finding Serious Gaming Groups [Archive] - Wizards Community

Finding Serious Gaming Groups [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DroogorTeenal
09-04-06, 08:20 PM I am a newbie but a serious gamer. What are some good rules of thumb to follow in order to find a serious gaming group?
metamind
09-04-06, 08:53 PM 1. Roleplay not rollplay

2. Stay away from "LEROOOOOOOOOOOOY JEEEEEEEEEEEEEENIKS!", and "I attack the darkness"

3. Learn the rules

4. Listen to the DM

5. Make characters who support the group. Meaning, if the group is composed of Lawful Good characters, don't play a CN rogue.

6. Dont talk out of turn

7. Follow the DM's campaign so that he will not have to railroad (which will only make it worse for everyone).

8: Check the gamer classifieds for a good group.
CedricBrooks
09-04-06, 09:13 PM Ask before you join? Even then it's kinda a shot in the dark.
Arivia
09-04-06, 10:55 PM Ignoring stereotyping based upon grammar and spelling, when looking for ads on the Gamer Classifieds, look for ads with correct grammar and spelling. Why? They indicate whoever is placing the ad cares enough to put effort into how they come across as a spokesperson for the game, and that care and effort generally carries through the rest of the game, resulting in a good experience. Speaking as a DM, I've found it pays off to show off my care in online discourse when using the Classifieds; even if I don't lead with much information, the general attentiveness may attract some players who would not be interested otherwise.

EDIT: Also, find a DM you can talk to. A good game is a lot more difficult if you can't discuss ideas with them. You don't need to be instant best friends, but it definitely shouldn't be the Cold War, either.
Mr_Spicoli
09-05-06, 04:34 PM I have designed a player questionairre that is relatively short, but with optimal questions to find the intent and personality of prospectice players.

I hand this out to new players before a campaign to see:

1. What types of gaming styles and in what fractions do they prefer:
anything from combat/ dungeon crawls/ wilderness treks/ city adventures/seafaring treks/ planar treks/ dialogue/ plot/ investigations/ swashbuckling/ intrigue/ politics/ covert operations/ etc.

2. What types of characters they like to play, how in depth, how much background they use, how much they enjoy roleplaying their characters. Do they like playing certain alignments, do they like playing leaders, michievous types, instigators, etc.

3. How much experience and with what systems they have had.

4. What are they looking forward to in the upcoming campaign specifically, and in Roleplaying in general.

5. What is it that they like about roleplaying games & why?

When finding new players, this is a great way to set a foundation for what you're gaming group will consist of. It is great for the players to see what each other is like, as well as a great resource for the GM to know what the players will like, want, and what styles to incorporate in the campaign.
Inigo Carmine
09-05-06, 05:02 PM You could be direct and ask if they run a serious game or a goofy game.

You could ask a brief description of characters/plot from his last campaign.

Also, ask if you could observe a session before joining in. I've had people do this in games I was in, and I can't imagine people having a problem with it.
King Bulba
09-05-06, 05:43 PM I am a newbie but a serious gamer. What are some good rules of thumb to follow in order to find a serious gaming group?
LOL why would you want that? Point of DnD is fun and if you can't throw around a "LEROOOOOOOOOOOOY JEEEEEEEEEEEEEENIKS!" or other colorful OOC remarks then whats the point.

Dont get me wrong my group roleplays and our characters are serious but the other side we also have entertaining OOC. It is all about a balance between the two.

Well I guess I should be helpful, so when you look for a game tell them that you want a more roleplaying game and less of a rollplaying game. The person you are in contact with will let you know if that fits the group or not.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DroogorTeenal 09-04-06, 08:20 PM	I am a newbie but a serious gamer. What are some good rules of thumb to follow in order to find a serious gaming group?
metamind 09-04-06, 08:53 PM	1. Roleplay not rollplay 2. Stay away from "LEROOOOOOOOOOOOY JEEEEEEEEEEEEEENIKS!", and "I attack the darkness" 3. Learn the rules 4. Listen to the DM 5. Make characters who support the group. Meaning, if the group is composed of Lawful Good characters, don't play a CN rogue. 6. Dont talk out of turn 7. Follow the DM's campaign so that he will not have to railroad (which will only make it worse for everyone). 8: Check the gamer classifieds for a good group.
CedricBrooks 09-04-06, 09:13 PM	Ask before you join? Even then it's kinda a shot in the dark.
Arivia 09-04-06, 10:55 PM	Ignoring stereotyping based upon grammar and spelling, when looking for ads on the Gamer Classifieds, look for ads with correct grammar and spelling. Why? They indicate whoever is placing the ad cares enough to put effort into how they come across as a spokesperson for the game, and that care and effort generally carries through the rest of the game, resulting in a good experience. Speaking as a DM, I've found it pays off to show off my care in online discourse when using the Classifieds; even if I don't lead with much information, the general attentiveness may attract some players who would not be interested otherwise. EDIT: Also, find a DM you can talk to. A good game is a lot more difficult if you can't discuss ideas with them. You don't need to be instant best friends, but it definitely shouldn't be the Cold War, either.
Mr_Spicoli 09-05-06, 04:34 PM	I have designed a player questionairre that is relatively short, but with optimal questions to find the intent and personality of prospectice players. I hand this out to new players before a campaign to see: 1. What types of gaming styles and in what fractions do they prefer: anything from combat/ dungeon crawls/ wilderness treks/ city adventures/seafaring treks/ planar treks/ dialogue/ plot/ investigations/ swashbuckling/ intrigue/ politics/ covert operations/ etc. 2. What types of characters they like to play, how in depth, how much background they use, how much they enjoy roleplaying their characters. Do they like playing certain alignments, do they like playing leaders, michievous types, instigators, etc. 3. How much experience and with what systems they have had. 4. What are they looking forward to in the upcoming campaign specifically, and in Roleplaying in general. 5. What is it that they like about roleplaying games & why? When finding new players, this is a great way to set a foundation for what you're gaming group will consist of. It is great for the players to see what each other is like, as well as a great resource for the GM to know what the players will like, want, and what styles to incorporate in the campaign.
Inigo Carmine 09-05-06, 05:02 PM	You could be direct and ask if they run a serious game or a goofy game. You could ask a brief description of characters/plot from his last campaign. Also, ask if you could observe a session before joining in. I've had people do this in games I was in, and I can't imagine people having a problem with it.
King Bulba 09-05-06, 05:43 PM	I am a newbie but a serious gamer. What are some good rules of thumb to follow in order to find a serious gaming group? LOL why would you want that? Point of DnD is fun and if you can't throw around a "LEROOOOOOOOOOOOY JEEEEEEEEEEEEEENIKS!" or other colorful OOC remarks then whats the point. Dont get me wrong my group roleplays and our characters are serious but the other side we also have entertaining OOC. It is all about a balance between the two. Well I guess I should be helpful, so when you look for a game tell them that you want a more roleplaying game and less of a rollplaying game. The person you are in contact with will let you know if that fits the group or not.