I am trying to get a Pathfinder game together through a meetup group in my area. There are really no games shops that I want to play at, so I am thinking of having the players come to my house. All of the players I have talked with “seem” safe and non-threatening. Am I asking for my wife and I to be killed or do you think it is a relatively safe proposition?
I've met gamers through Meetup and haven't had any issues. I know how you feel though: I refuse to use Craigslist for similar reasons. You should be safe as long as you're not meeting with an established group. As long as they are strangers too, the number of descent people should work in your favor.
Do you own a Gun? might want to invest in one if not.
Just kidding you should be fine lots of people meet people on the internet and dont end up with any problems
|
Meet them first, outside your house, like at a Starbucks or some such place. With the wife. Talk to them for at least an hour about whatever you want and get a feel for them. This is what me and my old fellow GM used to do when we were looking for new players. For the most part worked out really well. (Had 1 out 7 that we had to uninvite.)
I wouldn't think about having strangers over until I went at least that far, especially since I have a kid now. Multiple phone conversations in addition to the meet at least.
I currently run my game at a game shop, mostly because when I started running the game we only had a small place and not enough room to game.
Playing in a game shop also supports the hobby and the store and brings more awareness to the RPG game itself and the industry.
|
It might not be bad to have a ‘get to know each other’ night or ‘campaign / character discussion session’ in some neutral location (ie, not your house) before you kick off a new game. Perhaps at a pub, cafe or restaurant.
Last year I joined an established group of gamers for a Pathfinder game, a few of whom I had ‘met’ through this messageboard. I met up with various members of the group three different times at different pubs for drinks and games discussion before I was invited to anyone’s house! They were obviously wary of meeting strange men on the internet ... It was good though, it gave them a chance to make sure I wasn’t some crazy, and that I was someone who might be compatible with their gaming group, and it gave me a chance to see if this lot was a group I wanted to join, and gave me a sense of what their gaming style might be. It also helped that I had at least met the guy who hosted the first game a couple of times when I eventually went to his house and met his wife and kids.
EDIT: ninja'd by similar advice from Fray.
It might not be bad to have a ‘get to know each other’ night or ‘campaign / character discussion session’ in some neutral location (ie, not your house) before you kick off a new game. Perhaps at a pub, cafe or restaurant.
Last year I joined an established group of gamers for a Pathfinder game, a few of whom I had ‘met’ through this messageboard. I met up with various members of the group three different times at different pubs for drinks and games discussion before I was invited to anyone’s house! They were obviously wary of meeting strange men on the internet ... It was good though, it gave them a chance to make sure I wasn’t some crazy, and that I was someone who might be compatible with their gaming group, and it gave me a chance to see if this lot was a group I wanted to join, and gave me a sense of what their gaming style might be. It also helped that I had at least met the guy who hosted the first game a couple of times when I eventually went to his house and met his wife and kids.
EDIT: ninja'd by similar advice from Fray.
Speaking as a person from the other end of the Mothman experience. We were loosing a couple of members and we have one guy that doesn't show up enough to be a regular player. We wanted somebody that had the same vibe as us and after having a chat with Mothman at a Paizo Pub meet up, we decided we would have a few more chats at a few more pubs to see if he clicked with all of us. Mothy is of a similar age, has similar interests and history with role-playing, we were all impressed and he got the nod.
It was my place we had the first few games at. It was a little intimidating at first but we found a great player in the Mothman and somebody who has added a bit of spark back into our games. He was also a great guest and I felt very comfortable in having him over.
As you are going with a completely new group of people that is a little more problematic. I can think of a few ideas:
First organise a pub/cafe meet up and see who you click with at the meet. See if you can get a few groups other than your own going this may be useful for you in the future.
Then see if somebody other than you is willing to host the first few games.
If not maybe your local Library, PCYC (police, citizens, youth club I am not sure if you have them in the US), or university has some rooms with a desk you can use for free or next to nothing.
Play a few games for a few months maybe have some BBQs (at the park or beach) invite the significant others of the other players and introduce your self.
Its up to you if you want to make friendship out of it or keep it as gaming buddies.
When you are starting things up be very clear that if it looks like you are not going to get on with a new player that you are going to part ways.
