If you can do it, come out here to Southern California! I've found no shortage of gamers here!
If that's not an option try posting something on Craigslist or meetup.com. I was going to suggest trying to do a game via Skype but if it's not your thing that won't really do.
Maybe take some of your materials out to a coffee shop and sit and run through some stuff on your own at a table...maybe someone will notice and plays!
It might be worth it to take the hour and a half drive, I travel that fare about once every three weeks to play in my regular game.
Things to consider when offering advice
6. Play-by-post takes way to long, and can be done much better with some video/audio talk programs. Still not my thing really, as I'm a bit old school. I use the internet to gather information, and vary little more.
Consider changing that point of view?
I always get the GM duty, although the old GM is now apparently ready to begin running stuff again so I might get to actually play the odd session.
If it wasn't for PBP I'd have pretty much not got a game, and although I was a bit dubious at first I did manage to get behind it although yeah it can be slow if some players post less than 1xDay and your GM doesn't simply push through their absence.
Ramlatus,
First, getting a game started takes a lot of initiative and you've worked most of the major angles that I would go for.
Here's where I would start:
LIBRARY -
I would write the library board an exceptionally polite letter that explains that as a publicly funded institution, you believe that they have an obligation to allow content-neutral meeting spaces and ask for a copy of the policy in writing, and information related to how to petition for a modification of policy or to make an appointment to speak with the steering committee, board members, etc.
It usually helps to make a small ($10.00 or so) donation to the library for new books and to put yourself in the position of a special interest group.
GAME STORE -
There's a one page flyer about Pathfinder Organized Play that would be useful to share with the store managers -- tell them that if people come to the store and use tables, even if they're not buying Pathfinder, they'll need dice, snacks, paper, game aids, etc. and they're getting free traffic and advertising for the use of some space.
Ask them if they'll let you set up a Beginner's Box or a module with some maps so it looks like you're in the middle of a game -- that tends to at least get people curious about it.
MEETING PLAYERS -
Craigslist is good, meetup is good, but I would also hit up the library and ask to post fliers like any other community group. Don't forget about church youth groups, high schools, etc. that have public bulletin boards. Also, the local post office might be a good place to post some fliers.
Overall, I would say not to give up and start with your close friends: recruit them, and tell each one to bring a friend next time. You'll get there, it just takes some persistence.
Let me know if I can kick some more ideas your way.
2. No game shops (Actually the nearest game shop is about 45 minutes away and does not have on sight RPGs. They are mainly a minis war game store, like warhammer. They pretty much ignore Book RPGs except to sell 4e, and GURPS). Unfortunately I can't seam to find anyone that plays those games either. Not sure who they sell them to.
That's a rather curious one actually.
Until recently we had UfGS. Its like a FLGS but they aren't friendly and they aren't local either. I am now led to believe that we have some FGS in our fair city, or rather that we have a small chain of stores (Good Games).
So I am curious about this store you mention as obviously the guy is trying to run a business, which relies on customers (unless he's self funding a really expensive hobby) and thus he'd have an interest in more business. Have you asked him who his customers are?
Just wondering if this is the beginning of a local PFS opportunity?
I was blown away recently to see that there are essentially 'Come try D&D' sessions being run in our local Govt libraries, obviously some clever marketer is pushing their product and running these workshops during school holidays - whats really interesting is that even on the ultra low budget approach they are using they are still filling these events to capacity. So stay positive, maybe he could be keen to sponsor a PFS day (in that he puts up a couple of posters and provides table space)? Maybe reach all the way out there and have a Beginner Box up for grabs as the lucky door prize... just sayin.
My first question is why do you live where you do? LOL! My gaming group is in 3 states and we use google+ to game on. It's better than skype and you should search out groups on the net that are in the same boat you are.
Your best bet is an online game.
Google Hangouts rocks ... and you pretty much get very close to the "around the table" feel with it. Just remember to wear pants.
You can supplement your Google Hangouts with MapTool and get a really great experience.
What we really need is an online-game-finding service ... which maybe one day I'll sit down and code up.
A friend of mine lives in Starkville, I'm not sure how close that is to you down there, but maybe you guys can meet up at a halfway point if you can find some more players.
:D
Also, move to San Diego. Everyone's a nerd and there no such thing as snow.
Also, move to San Diego. Everyone's a nerd and there no such thing as snow.
The only problem with San Diego is how expensive it is to live there! I keep wanting to move back to Southern California, but my standard of living would plummet because of prices and taxes!
The only problem with San Diego is how expensive it is to live there! I keep wanting to move back to Southern California, but my standard of living would plummet because of prices and taxes!
You're not wrong. On the other hand, it's supply and demand--it's expensive to live here because everyone WANTS to live here.
I mean, maybe not, but that's how I rationalize it. ;p