When is it OK to walk out of a Game? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

When is it OK to walk out of a Game?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
beowulfthehunter
Jan 31, 2010 22:13:13
I went and played at a local con this weekend. I must admit I gamed with a few people that had this been my first experience with D&D I would have never gamed again. One issue was a rule problem player who just wanted to argure, browbeat a chiled, and show how little social skills he possed. Sadly you run into people like this in most games, I can deal. The other issue was the game I was saddled with. Our GM ranked of what I would like to deem gross imcompotence(and i ma sure I killed the spelling on that word). I will not go into great detail, but he was very unprepared along with other issues. Before being railroaded into the first encounter I packed my stuff and left. They way I figure it if I paid the money and put the time asside and I am not having fun I am leaving. That simple.

Am I wrong for taking such a stance? I do not feel sad about the issue as when I explained the situation they rolled their eyes at the mention of the GM's name so he does indeed have a reputation. If someone is going to run a game it would be nice for them to have actully read the darn thing. Thanks, just needed to vent.
#2
salla
Jan 31, 2010 22:34:43 If the game is that utterly abhorrent, then yeah, taking a hike is a good idea. I would have informed the con staff of the browbeating of the child, though, so perhaps said browbeater could be removed from the premises.
#3
CCS
Feb 01, 2010 1:09:24 You get that at cons.

Make sure that you mention the abuse to those who count.

Relax your stance abit on the railroading. Afterall, this IS a timed event (usually 4hrs or so), not you're weekly game where it really doesn't matter if you get to points ABC tonight or next week.

Unprepaired GMs come with the nature of the beast (cons). The original DM doesn't show & now you have some poor sub. (I saw this happen a few years ago at GenCon in the RPGA. The GM that got drafted? She knew SW inside/out. D&D? Not a clue. And she was given 10 whole minutes to read & process the module).

Usually you can stick it out for the duration of the session in question. While making notes concerning names/groups/systems to avoid in the future....
But sometimes, yes, you do have to just walk away.
#4
Krusk
Feb 01, 2010 11:43:00
If I paid for a game, I would have walked at the first sign of trouble. Probably mentioned something to the management too. "Hey this DM is browbeating that young kid, and has nothing prepared for the game. I am skipping out early, and if I see him as a DM again, I won't bother coming in."

If it is a game run for free, like 99% of the ones I play in, I will give it a full session. If at the end of the session, I am super annoyed or just didn't have fun I will let the DM know I can't make any future games.
#5
Shiftkitty
Feb 01, 2010 14:50:38
You're perfectly fine with your actions. You didn't pay to be bored/uncomfortable/disgusted, etc., so you were under no obligation to stay. (It smacks of an old Ann Landers line, "Nobody can take advantage of you without your permission.") I would like to think the DM never had anybody actually walk out on him and this was a wake-up call, but douchebags are douchebags no matter what you do.
#6
boraxe
Feb 01, 2010 17:05:39
Before being railroaded into the first encounter I packed my stuff and left. They way I figure it if I paid the money and put the time asside and I am not having fun I am leaving. That simple.
Am I wrong for taking such a stance?

No…and yes.

No you are not wrong to stick with a game that is not fun for you, particularly one you've paid to play. If it is so far beyond fun that it is actively unpleasant than leaving is not only your right, it is your best option.

That said, I've never played at a con but my understanding is that time is quite limited and there simply isn't enough of it for free-form play. For this reason con games tend to be much more goal-oriented with the focus on module completion within the time allowed than on decision making and RP, thus there is much more railroading than one would have in a normal D&D game but that this is expected.

It seems to me that in addition to having to deal with unpleasant and incompetent people that you went into the game with different expectations, assuming it would basically be a normally D&D game rather than a more "streamlined" con game.

Sorry your experience was lousy. Better luck next time.
#7
beowulfthehunter
Feb 01, 2010 21:24:34 Perhaps I should be more more specific on being railroaded. Examples would be we come to an area where an encounter would occur, a player recons the area and the GM takes that as "you start the encounter roll IN." The character is started in the middle of the encounter while the rest of us are told we will arrive in 2 rounds. My response being, so that means I am in range now and I want to fire. Instead I am told I cannot do anything for two rounds and I come in right next to the enemies. Keep in mind we are in an open type area. Stuff like that boggles the mind.
#8
tequila_sunrise
Feb 02, 2010 17:07:47
Perhaps I should be more more specific on being railroaded. Examples would be we come to an area where an encounter would occur, a player recons the area and the GM takes that as "you start the encounter roll IN." The character is started in the middle of the encounter while the rest of us are told we will arrive in 2 rounds. My response being, so that means I am in range now and I want to fire. Instead I am told I cannot do anything for two rounds and I come in right next to the enemies. Keep in mind we are in an open type area. Stuff like that boggles the mind.

Sounds like they got someone from the console room to DM the adventure when the real DM couldn't make it. Ugh. I may have nudged the DM toward a bit more sense, but quitting right then and there is alright too.
#9
gargs454
Feb 03, 2010 14:58:06
Perhaps I should be more more specific on being railroaded. Examples would be we come to an area where an encounter would occur, a player recons the area and the GM takes that as "you start the encounter roll IN." The character is started in the middle of the encounter while the rest of us are told we will arrive in 2 rounds. My response being, so that means I am in range now and I want to fire. Instead I am told I cannot do anything for two rounds and I come in right next to the enemies. Keep in mind we are in an open type area. Stuff like that boggles the mind.

Sounds like they got someone from the console room to DM the adventure when the real DM couldn't make it. Ugh. I may have nudged the DM toward a bit more sense, but quitting right then and there is alright too.

Well that isn't so much railroading per se as it is just really poor DMing in general and really poor rules knowledge, but yes, I've run into that sort of thing a time or two myself.

You will absolutely get railroading at Cons. The modules often even explicitly tell the DM to railroad due to the time constraints, etc. In other words, con games are tailored to the action-centric groups and not the RP-centric groups.

All that said, I think it was fine that you walked. I would probably try to discuss it with the problem people first (it sounds like the brow beater was a player not the DM right?) but in either event I think its okay to walk. The only real problem is that you are potentially reducing the fun of the other paying players too since their group is now one short, but you are every bit the paying customer as they are.

Mind if I ask whereabouts this was? We had a Con near here this past weekend which is why I'm curious.
#10
Orcboss
Feb 03, 2010 17:39:11 In short, you spent your own $X to play that game. If you wanted to get up and walk out, who's to stop you? Why pay money to not have fun?

As others have said, you get some railroading at cons. Its an unfortunate function of the time constraints.

The personalities of the people you encountered stink. Why GM a game if you aren't willing to put in a little work? Why show up and pick on kids so you can "win" D&D? Actually, it sounds a lot like the reasons I don't like to join PUGs in WoW.
#11
Mcnancy
Feb 03, 2010 20:45:54 I say if you feel the desire to do so, RA RARARARARARA RAGEQUIT!!!!

Just stand up, drop your character sheet on the ground, throw up you hands, pimp away.

Even if you don't really want to leave, like if your just going to the bathroom, Ragequit, comeback have fun.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 beowulfthehunter Jan 31, 2010 22:13:13	I went and played at a local con this weekend. I must admit I gamed with a few people that had this been my first experience with D&D I would have never gamed again. One issue was a rule problem player who just wanted to argure, browbeat a chiled, and show how little social skills he possed. Sadly you run into people like this in most games, I can deal. The other issue was the game I was saddled with. Our GM ranked of what I would like to deem gross imcompotence(and i ma sure I killed the spelling on that word). I will not go into great detail, but he was very unprepared along with other issues. Before being railroaded into the first encounter I packed my stuff and left. They way I figure it if I paid the money and put the time asside and I am not having fun I am leaving. That simple. Am I wrong for taking such a stance? I do not feel sad about the issue as when I explained the situation they rolled their eyes at the mention of the GM's name so he does indeed have a reputation. If someone is going to run a game it would be nice for them to have actully read the darn thing. Thanks, just needed to vent.
#2 salla Jan 31, 2010 22:34:43	If the game is that utterly abhorrent, then yeah, taking a hike is a good idea. I would have informed the con staff of the browbeating of the child, though, so perhaps said browbeater could be removed from the premises.
#3 CCS Feb 01, 2010 1:09:24	You get that at cons. Make sure that you mention the abuse to those who count. Relax your stance abit on the railroading. Afterall, this IS a timed event (usually 4hrs or so), not you're weekly game where it really doesn't matter if you get to points ABC tonight or next week. Unprepaired GMs come with the nature of the beast (cons). The original DM doesn't show & now you have some poor sub. (I saw this happen a few years ago at GenCon in the RPGA. The GM that got drafted? She knew SW inside/out. D&D? Not a clue. And she was given 10 whole minutes to read & process the module). Usually you can stick it out for the duration of the session in question. While making notes concerning names/groups/systems to avoid in the future.... But sometimes, yes, you do have to just walk away.
#4 Krusk Feb 01, 2010 11:43:00	If I paid for a game, I would have walked at the first sign of trouble. Probably mentioned something to the management too. "Hey this DM is browbeating that young kid, and has nothing prepared for the game. I am skipping out early, and if I see him as a DM again, I won't bother coming in." If it is a game run for free, like 99% of the ones I play in, I will give it a full session. If at the end of the session, I am super annoyed or just didn't have fun I will let the DM know I can't make any future games.
#5 Shiftkitty Feb 01, 2010 14:50:38	You're perfectly fine with your actions. You didn't pay to be bored/uncomfortable/disgusted, etc., so you were under no obligation to stay. (It smacks of an old Ann Landers line, "Nobody can take advantage of you without your permission.") I would like to think the DM never had anybody actually walk out on him and this was a wake-up call, but douchebags are douchebags no matter what you do.
#6 boraxe Feb 01, 2010 17:05:39	Before being railroaded into the first encounter I packed my stuff and left. They way I figure it if I paid the money and put the time asside and I am not having fun I am leaving. That simple. Am I wrong for taking such a stance? No…and yes. No you are not wrong to stick with a game that is not fun for you, particularly one you've paid to play. If it is so far beyond fun that it is actively unpleasant than leaving is not only your right, it is your best option. That said, I've never played at a con but my understanding is that time is quite limited and there simply isn't enough of it for free-form play. For this reason con games tend to be much more goal-oriented with the focus on module completion within the time allowed than on decision making and RP, thus there is much more railroading than one would have in a normal D&D game but that this is expected. It seems to me that in addition to having to deal with unpleasant and incompetent people that you went into the game with different expectations, assuming it would basically be a normally D&D game rather than a more "streamlined" con game. Sorry your experience was lousy. Better luck next time.
#7 beowulfthehunter Feb 01, 2010 21:24:34	Perhaps I should be more more specific on being railroaded. Examples would be we come to an area where an encounter would occur, a player recons the area and the GM takes that as "you start the encounter roll IN." The character is started in the middle of the encounter while the rest of us are told we will arrive in 2 rounds. My response being, so that means I am in range now and I want to fire. Instead I am told I cannot do anything for two rounds and I come in right next to the enemies. Keep in mind we are in an open type area. Stuff like that boggles the mind.
#8 tequila_sunrise Feb 02, 2010 17:07:47	Perhaps I should be more more specific on being railroaded. Examples would be we come to an area where an encounter would occur, a player recons the area and the GM takes that as "you start the encounter roll IN." The character is started in the middle of the encounter while the rest of us are told we will arrive in 2 rounds. My response being, so that means I am in range now and I want to fire. Instead I am told I cannot do anything for two rounds and I come in right next to the enemies. Keep in mind we are in an open type area. Stuff like that boggles the mind. Sounds like they got someone from the console room to DM the adventure when the real DM couldn't make it. Ugh. I may have nudged the DM toward a bit more sense, but quitting right then and there is alright too.
#9 gargs454 Feb 03, 2010 14:58:06	Perhaps I should be more more specific on being railroaded. Examples would be we come to an area where an encounter would occur, a player recons the area and the GM takes that as "you start the encounter roll IN." The character is started in the middle of the encounter while the rest of us are told we will arrive in 2 rounds. My response being, so that means I am in range now and I want to fire. Instead I am told I cannot do anything for two rounds and I come in right next to the enemies. Keep in mind we are in an open type area. Stuff like that boggles the mind. Sounds like they got someone from the console room to DM the adventure when the real DM couldn't make it. Ugh. I may have nudged the DM toward a bit more sense, but quitting right then and there is alright too. Well that isn't so much railroading per se as it is just really poor DMing in general and really poor rules knowledge, but yes, I've run into that sort of thing a time or two myself. You will absolutely get railroading at Cons. The modules often even explicitly tell the DM to railroad due to the time constraints, etc. In other words, con games are tailored to the action-centric groups and not the RP-centric groups. All that said, I think it was fine that you walked. I would probably try to discuss it with the problem people first (it sounds like the brow beater was a player not the DM right?) but in either event I think its okay to walk. The only real problem is that you are potentially reducing the fun of the other paying players too since their group is now one short, but you are every bit the paying customer as they are. Mind if I ask whereabouts this was? We had a Con near here this past weekend which is why I'm curious.
#10 Orcboss Feb 03, 2010 17:39:11	In short, you spent your own $X to play that game. If you wanted to get up and walk out, who's to stop you? Why pay money to not have fun? As others have said, you get some railroading at cons. Its an unfortunate function of the time constraints. The personalities of the people you encountered stink. Why GM a game if you aren't willing to put in a little work? Why show up and pick on kids so you can "win" D&D? Actually, it sounds a lot like the reasons I don't like to join PUGs in WoW.
#11 Mcnancy Feb 03, 2010 20:45:54	I say if you feel the desire to do so, RA RARARARARARA RAGEQUIT!!!! Just stand up, drop your character sheet on the ground, throw up you hands, pimp away. Even if you don't really want to leave, like if your just going to the bathroom, Ragequit, comeback have fun.