Search for fellow PFS players by zip and distance?

[rangerjeff]

Not sure how many paizo members list zip code... but is there any way for game organizers to find other PFS players by zip code and distance?

I mean, if you've ever had anything delivered to you by Paizo, they have your zip code, right?

[rangerjeff]

Hmm... didn't think this should be shunted to website feedback... more PFS Grand Lodge territory IMO.

But I guess, yeah, couldn't there be a general Paizo forum function for geographical location proximity search?

[Enlight_Bystand]

It would be a web tool that would have to be developed, so putting it in the forum where the website team are most likely to see it is the best plan.

As for your idea, I'm not fully aware of US data protection law, but I would be surprised if it were legal for Paizo just to use the zip code you gave for ordering for allowing anyone to find you without letting you know. What I'm certain is that it would be unethical, a PR disaster and not something that Paizo would be interested in doing.

As a voluntary thing? Maybe, but it'd probably take a lot of effort to get it setup, probably with limited interest, so I'm not sure it's really viable.

[Cpt_kirstov]

considering paizo also offers play by post which people would have to alert the other users when they go on vacation... I don't think it would be a good idea. Besides, they took away the ability to see a lot of the information about who you've played with not to long ago for security reasons

[Raymond Lambert]

Not built for Pathfinder society but you should try nearbygamers.com

[rangerjeff]

Yeah, nearbygamers and penandpaper and meetup... there are several online ways to attempt to connect with other local gamers, but this is Paizo, and I want to find PFS gamers. And yes I've posted on the forums, but not every PFS player is a regular on the forums.

I guess my further thought on this, and why I thought this post should be in PFS Grand Lodge, is that there could be some empowerment of Venture Captains to do more local organizing. If Paizo could ask new PFS members (required field) to provide a zip code, and then pass on new PFS members to the appropriate VC/VL, this might help Paizo to get more PFS action occurring on the local level.

Good for Paizo (more play = more purchases of books and scenarios), good for PFS players (more connections = more play.)

And as a self aggrandizing aside, since becoming a PFS player (my return to RP gaming in general last October), I've found the local Cleveland/Akron Ohio PFS weekly game night and have played in it every week since, and have begun to GM there every other week for the past month and a half+, and I've organized through the PSOC the third regular weekly online game night. I do want to see more PFS play, and am working to make it happen. Just looking for a little support from Paizo (thinking creatively.)

[Gary Teter]

Making it easier to find games and gamers is definitely on the todo list. It'd have to be an opt-in thing of course.

[rangerjeff]

Okay, cool! Thanks PostMonster!

[Demonic Warlord]

Gary Teter wrote:

Making it easier to find games and gamers is definitely on the todo list. It'd have to be an opt-in thing of course.

It sounds like you might need to increase your staff to handle the number of request. Even if it just temps.