On character creation, if you are playing *purely for the social aspect and to make new friends*, why are you so heavily investing in character creation? You can cut back on this easily by coming up with a concept, planning out the first couple of levels, and maybe some thoughts about high level feats and pre-reqs, and then just roll with whatever the campaign/adventure gives you.
On finding games to play, one thought would be to start by being a GM and getting a group together. There might be a lot of other players local to you in the same situation. While the group is forming up, see which other would also like to be GMs and rotate around. The GM aspect is probably one of the largest hindrances to availability of games. it is a lot of work and all it seemingly gets you is a lot of people whining about you on the forums ...
The local shops only have organized play on Wednesdays and Saturdays, both days I work and thus can't participate. The days I do have off the shops are dead. I mean that I have sat in the shop hoping other gamers will come in for 4-6 hours in hopes of finding a game and no one comes in. Not sure how the shops stay open. I am new to online gaming, but willing to play online even with my hatred for electronic dice rollers.
It is unfortunate but more and more local stores are no longer a meetingplace for gamers to find eachother. I would recommend looking through things like meetup, or here on the gamer connection forums. Alternatively, for pfs specifically you might want to lookup and contact your local venture officer to see if there is any way to get an organized game on a different date, that you are actually free. The benefit there, is in theory, whoever played that day would likely be able to game with you regularly. At the very least the venture officer might have knowledge of different groups in the area that might be looking for new players.
I not sure if I want to continue with Pathfinder. It take soooo much work just to make a character. At present I spend between 15-20 hours making a nonspellcaster character. Add another 10-12 hours for a spellcaster. Part of this is that I just take a long time to make a character, but the shear volume of material I have to sift through when making a character is massive.
Step one, if you are just starting out, dont plan a character from 1-20. Plan like 1-6 (unless a game is starting at a high level). You really arent meant to plan a character all the way through, and often characters are more interesting if they develop organically, as you play. A non caster should take literally minutes to put together at low levels, and many casters hsould only take a little more then that. Dont drive yourself crazy looking through every bit of material. Stick to a few sources close to your concept. (Ultimate magic for casters, ultimate combat for fighter types for instance).
I play RPGs for the social aspect of the game. I want to meet people and make friends. A weekly game would be my preference, but some short games would work for everyone to get to know each other. Organized play will have to do if that is all I can find, but don't like the generic nature of the games. I also am not a fan of always playing with new people never really getting to know any of them.
Thoughts, Suggestions, Help?
Personally I always prefer a home game to organized play. As you say, I like the social aspect of gaming, and that is hard with a rotating group of pfs. But, pfs can help you meet gamers in your area. Many of them also have home games running, in addition to pfs. Basically you just need to get your foot in the door. Try the gamer connection section of these forums, and also contact your local pfs venture officer. There are people out there that want to help you get in a game, trust me, you just have to make that initial contact.
What area are you looking in?
Im struggling with finding a group of people who are similar to me socially I have a career a wife and three kids and would like to find other gamers with similar things. I want to find people who game and have families and there families might become friends and wives and kids get along while we game. This is starting to seem like to much to ask
My wife and I are also looking for a new group in the Twin Cities metro area. Willing to GM as well as play. If you want to get together some upcoming weekend to meet and see if we would all mesh, let me know.
I am looking for Pathfinder, non-society, game in Northern Virginia. Is there any in my area?
Just me in the northern neck. I'm trying to find a group to replace some lazy players. If you know people I don't mind going as far as Fredericksburg. I'm a novice GM and a mediocre player. If any of that is doable let me know.
Unfortunately none of you live by me. I play with 5 groups 23 different people. And I know at least of 3 other groups.
My advice is check is to post here on the gamer connection subforum your location...I met two players and one of my groups through here.
@ Ramlatus: If it is taking you more than 1 hour to create a Pathfinder character you have to be doing something wrong. I am fast and it takes me about 10 minutes to make a first level character...the slowest people I know take a hour. I suggest examine the way you make characters to see if you could improve it any.
my wife and I just moved to Spotsylvania county... Hit me up at ManjiKuu at hotmail.com