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Games which I attended don't designate someone to bring food or determine beforehand that everyone should bring something in the way of booze or something else that "contributes" in some way. Some people bring it, other times no one does and no one has a problem with that. For those who bring food or beer or whatever else to the game, most of us just make it a habit of returning the favour in some way. Perhaps not the next immediate session but two or three sessions later, depending on what's going on in their life at that time. I've brought beer or pizza a couple of times. Other people I know have brought food they personally cooked to the game to share with others. Even if no one "returns the favour", none of us have actually mentally blacklisted them as freeloaders or something else unpleasant. I suppose it largely depends on how maturely you want to deal with people. How willing you are, to give them the benefit of the doubt? If thats too much of a gamble, then I can see why the rest of the group has to know about any prospective new member of the ame in such detail. On a side note, if a new player is problematic, its not really the gm's job to throw them out. Normally, that responsibility involves the rest of the group to settle the problem in-game. If that doesn't work then someone's flying head-first out the driveway.Its not going to be the first time and sure isn't going to be the last.
Then again, I have gamed with anarchists, fascists, psychologists, lawmen and real rogues. A good game is made by the diverse personalities and different types of people. Test them in game, not before.
I don't care what their job is or what their politics are. I do care, however, whether they talk like Comic Book Guy on The Simpsons, or if they totally lack in basic hygiene, or if they incessantly quote Monty Python while tittering annoyingly. And I generally like to know those things before I invite them into my home.
Yeah thats the big thing im bringing these people into my house and around my wife and young children
I joke about the questions now its kind of a joke with people as we start talking about gaming
The group i did meet up the questions did help me realize that none of them really mesh well with me and what I want from the people I game with
Then again, I have gamed with anarchists, fascists, psychologists, lawmen and real rogues. A good game is made by the diverse personalities and different types of people. Test them in game, not before.I don't care what their job is or what their politics are. I do care, however, whether they talk like Comic Book Guy on The Simpsons, or if they totally lack in basic hygiene, or if they incessantly quote Monty Python while tittering annoyingly. And I generally like to know those things before I invite them into my home.
Yes, I and some of my friends are monty python fans, and have been for years, what of it?
Are you going to call the Spanish inquisition? Issue a ban on those that like monty python? See the violence inherent in the system!
Beware of too much lawful bureaucracy creeping into your games, or pre-game for that matter (it can be a real turn off, if you seem to be a looney). A list of questions does not mean people that would be really good players, will take them at all seriously, they may taunt you a second time.
Yeah thats the big thing im bringing these people into my house and around my wife and young children
I joke about the questions now its kind of a joke with people as we start talking about gaming
The group i did meet up the questions did help me realize that none of them really mesh well with me and what I want from the people I game with
Sounds like your questions became an obstacle to enjoying a game. Did they not answer correctly? Did they score a 6/10 on average? Or a C minus? Were you put off by their differences to you?
Pretty sure your kids and children are going to be just fine, some people wanting to role some dice aren't going to turn it into The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Straw Dogs.
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A list of questions does not mean people that would be really good players, will take them at all seriously, they may taunt you a second time.
See above. I do not have a list of questions. I do not use a list of questions.
I just like to meet people in person before I tell them where I live.
I can't speak for every poster, but the end goal of my "interview questions" is making the best possible game for each player; when I ask what their favorite fantasy novel in, or what other games I play, I've narrowing down the list of possible adventures and stories for their characters.
I almost never invite people to game that I haven't already known for at least a week, so the make-sure-you're-not-a-psycho questions are generally a non-issue.
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Yeah thats the big thing im bringing these people into my house and around my wife and young children
I joke about the questions now its kind of a joke with people as we start talking about gaming
The group i did meet up the questions did help me realize that none of them really mesh well with me and what I want from the people I game with
Sounds like your questions became an obstacle to enjoying a game. Did they not answer correctly? Did they score a 6/10 on average? Or a C minus? Were you put off by their differences to you?
Pretty sure your kids and children are going to be just fine, some people wanting to role some dice aren't going to turn it into The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Straw Dogs.
It wasnt the questions so much as the conversations the questions opened up that made me realize that like next to none of them i would want to be friends with and have over to my house as friends
The people I game with I want to become friends with over time
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Im kinda building some questions so I have a good train of though about a new game group. This Saturday im meeting some perspective people for a new game im running and hosting at my house so here is what I have so far please tell me other ones
Roleplaying Questions
#1 What are thoughts on LARPing?
#2 What is a Munchkin to you?
#3 What is the Difference between a Mid Maxer and an Optimizer?
#4 Should every character be effective in both combat and noncombat situations?
#5 Can you still be a good roleplayer if you also try to make an optimized character?Non Roleplaying Questions
#1 What do you do for a living?
#2 Do you smoke or drink and do you have a problem with someone who does if you dont?
1. No opinion as I dont know what it is
2. A slang term for a height challenged individual3. Personal choice
4. Not Necessarily
5. Absolutely
6. I manage a fair amount of folks
7. No, yes. I will not game in a room where smoke is present. As far as drinking i very rarely drink during games but I have no problem with it as long as it doesnt get out of control.
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Only two questions
Did you drink the milk?
Do you know what soap is and do you know how to use it?
Yeah thats the big thing im bringing these people into my house and around my wife and young children
I joke about the questions now its kind of a joke with people as we start talking about gaming
The group i did meet up the questions did help me realize that none of them really mesh well with me and what I want from the people I game with
Sounds like your questions became an obstacle to enjoying a game. Did they not answer correctly? Did they score a 6/10 on average? Or a C minus? Were you put off by their differences to you?
Pretty sure your kids and children are going to be just fine, some people wanting to role some dice aren't going to turn it into The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Straw Dogs.
It wasnt the questions so much as the conversations the questions opened up that made me realize that like next to none of them i would want to be friends with and have over to my house as friends
The people I game with I want to become friends with over time
Harsh, but perhaps fair.
Were they not... virtuous?
I can't speak for every poster, but the end goal of my "interview questions" is making the best possible game for each player; when I ask what their favorite fantasy novel in, or what other games I play, I've narrowing down the list of possible adventures and stories for their characters.
I almost never invite people to game that I haven't already known for at least a week, so the make-sure-you're-not-a-psycho questions are generally a non-issue.
Isn't that a bit like the reductive, what is your favourite colour question?
Because someone really into fantasy novels is going to struggle to name one favourite, their favourite, THE absolute best ever and ever that they ever read, unless they are a fan boy/girl (e.g. of the Tolkien variety). I don't even read that much fantasy, but from what I've read over the years, I certainly couldn't pick a favourite, as some are better than others, but their merits and strengths vary.
My favourite colour is purple, no it is deep red, no it is sunset orange, no it is light fog blue. I take it you get the limitations of question time?
Trying to rush getting to know someone through questions is way too much lawful bureaucracy. This isn't even to get into the problems of serving questions at the introverts which are in our hobby.
Only two questions
Did you drink the milk?
Do you know what soap is and do you know how to use it?
One question that is nonsensical without context.
Another with the implied insults of low hygiene and stupidity.Tsk tsk tsk.
Only two questions
Did you drink the milk?
Do you know what soap is and do you know how to use it?One question that is nonsensical without context.
Another with the implied insults of low hygiene and stupidity.Tsk tsk tsk.
You don't know about the milk...it was a BIG topic last year...
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Only two questions
Did you drink the milk?
Do you know what soap is and do you know how to use it?
Over here it's ginger ale that is the topic of concern.
Australia, who ate all the chips?
Yep, those are some real danger signs.
I really find it funny when a player cheats at dice, it is as if they think everyone else is a total rube that was born yesterday. Fun times.
Make them roll out in the open, no funny business, and watch their rolls move closer to the average and their cocky grins fade.
Lincoln I dont have any regular players yet I just moved to the area
When I was looking for players I made a flyer to post at the game store and posted on their forum and here.
I'm uncertain if you've said; is there a pathfinder society group in your area?
If so, join it and scout for players to invite to your home game.
If not, see if theres a comic or hobby store that will let you try to create a pathfinder chapter and play at their place. It's more neutral ground for both you and them
put a flyer up there, and at any local bookstores, and any local colleges.
put a notice on these boards under "gamer connection." make sure to have your city in the topic line.
all our state (ny) pathfinder chapters use "warhorn" online to promote game schedules, too.
Pathfinder society games may not be your ultimate goal, but its a fabulous place to meet other gamers, and game together in a low-pressure way. Then you find the ones you really like to invite to your home game.
Hmmm... just for the fun of it, let's see how I would actually respond if I were talking to the GM of a new group in an informal "interview" and got asked these questions:
Roleplaying Questions
#1 What are thoughts on LARPing?
I don't think about LARPing.#2 What is a Munchkin to you?
Someone who represents the Lollipop guild? If you want a meaningful answer from me you're going to have to tell me what you mean by "munchkin" since I have no idea if our definitions match enough for any answer to be meaningful.#3 What is the Difference between a Min Maxer and an Optimizer?
See #2.#4 Should every character be effective in both combat and noncombat situations?
What do you mean by "effective?"#5 Can you still be a good roleplayer if you also try to make an optimized character?
Going all Stormwind fallacy on me?
Non Roleplaying Questions
#1 What do you do for a living?Not really feeling a need at this point to tell you. Why do you want to know?#2 Do you smoke or drink and do you have a problem with someone who does if you dont?
I prefer not to game in a smoky haze. I don't care if people drink, but I care if they get drunk and stupid.
Why I ask them what they do for a job? is cause I want people who have a job and responsibilities outside of gaming and are not bums
Why I ask them what they do for a job? is cause I want people who have a job and responsibilities outside of gaming and are not bums
If asking someone if they have a job is your test for bum vs not-bum, I think you may need to evaluate your evaluating process.
I know lots of people who don't have "jobs" who are not "bums". Some are lucky enough to be independently wealthy, some are unlucky enough to be on permanent disability, some are simply happy to live for the moment and make what money they can doing things they love.
So long as they are clean, reliable and reasonably mature, I couldn't care less what they do to make ends meet.
Maybe the players should start showing up with their own lists of questions!
1. How do you see the players' role: co-storytellers, or appreciative audience?
2. What motivations do you automatically assume the players have: looking for fun, or looking to cheat and ruin your fun?
3. How often do you fudge dice rolls to make the story go how you want it to?
4. Do you punish the PCs for things the players do?
(etc.)
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A couple years ago, I joined a gaming group here in my local area. I found the group through Meetup. The GM asked to meet for lunch prior to going to my first gaming session.
He wanted to sound out my personality and how it might mesh with the others in the group, my knowledge of Pathfinder as a game, and my character ideas.
I understood and applauded his forsight since I have been involved in a gaming group where we needed to "uninvite" a player who just didn't mesh with the group. That group then instituted a "trial period" prior to bringing in new players.
Unfortunately, the group broke up when the GM moved about a year later.
If I get the chance to gather together a gaming group in the near future, I certainly want DW** to meet potential players prior to giving them my address. I'll probably start by looking for PFS in my local area and try to find some folks who I get along with.
I try to be very careful about what people I bring into my home.
The people I game with I want to become friends with over time
Also, this ^^
-Aaron