I’ve played online once before, in a PbP game. There were some things I really liked about it, but the main thing that I missed was the social aspect — it’s there online, but it’s nowhere near the same thing.

If that weren’t my primary interest, I’d probably play online more often. But my current group is great, and we’re all more interested in adding a player or two than in trying other venues.

Admittedly, games are fine-tuned to table top play and aren’t a very good match when playing over the Internet. Also, the Internet software also needs improvement: both in basic quality and in integrating itself into the game. I know why people say, “It’s not the same.”

However, I’m convinced that, if game designers playtested their rules over the Internet, in addition to the table top, they would discover and make a lot of small improvements that would really help make the rules work well both over the Internet and on the table top.

Playing over the Internet removes the whole geography issue: anybody can play with anybody. Travel is reduced to nothing so you can play, even if you can’t or don’t want to leave the house. It’s clean: you can keep all your rulebooks and notes computerized.

While the disadvantages are obvious, there are often-overlooked advantages in-game: you can use a more narrative style and it’s easier to separate the party.

I don’t know if playing RPGs over the Internet will ever come of age. I’ve done it and I’d do it again but I admit that it is still a niche and a substitute for a real game for most gamers.

If I ever become independently wealthy, perhaps I’ll tackle the software issue (being that I’m a software developer).

I also do two things for every prospective player, and in this order: I have them come play a guest NPC and I do a prelude. The former is so that I get to see them mix with a group and they get to see how we play. It’s a lot less jarring than introducing a new PC and finding out 3 sessions later it’s not a good fit.

The best way I have found to get players in a new city is to join campaigns as a player, which I find via my blog. I eventually click with some of the players and when I’m ready to run a game I invite them to join. After that it’s just word of mouth advertising…pretty easy.

My final technique is to MAKE players from non-gamer friends. I run marathon sessions (12 hours) once per month. This matches almost any busy adult’s schedule, allowing even non-hard core gamers to play. Many sci-fi/fantasy friends have been curious about RP. They usually try the guest NPC approach and get hooked. I once ran a campaign specifically designed for new players, just to help them learn about gaming and RP.

Great questions and articles. Thanks much!

My problem is that the guys are all good friends, not only through gaming, and I wouldnt tell any of them to leave. Some of them are more fanatic roleplayers, some are casual and into it socially.

I guess it is a luxury problem really, but sessions can be really dissapointing compared to the intensity of 3 player games.

In general I guess it would be tough finding new gamers. I can only speak for online games. But my experience there is dissapointing, cuz
of the anonymity the web provides. Its easier to come and go, miss sessions or simply to dissapear forever. It is sometimes hard to invest time into getting strangers to know and care for them, only to see them dissapear from one day to another.

I’m in three groups right now, two of which were the result of posting my availability on some forums, and the third of which grew out of one of the first two. I’ve been with them all for closing in on four years now.

I also organize ENWorld Chicago Gameday, and end up running events for it each time. I’ve had more than a few people ask me to join their group of join my groups as a result.

I guess I’ve just been lucky. There are 16 people total across my groups, and I would say that only one of them is someone I don’t like that much.

Going to local cons/gamedays is a must. You get to sort of “try out” people in a real gaming environment, as well as let others do the same with yourself. Add to that the myriad gamer sites, and I think you can do pretty well. Just be very up-front about your tastes and availability, and don’t waste your time with fools.

That way, interested persons get a chance at seeing you, meeting you, experiencing your gaming style …

While you can answer the most nagging question: Do I want to invite this person into my home?

i moved to minneapolis mn about ten years ago, and formed a new group right away based on a post to my isp’s local usenet newsgroup. we’ve fluctuated a lot since then, picking up friends, co-workers, and two spouses, but its been pretty steady.

if my current group fell apart for whatever reason, i know of at least half a dozen other friends and acquaintances who game intermittently or have gamed in the past, and could easily pull together another group or two.

But I digress. Yeah, I’d say this is a big problem for most groups. I’ve always played with close friends who were either already into it or open-minded enough to give it a try. As I’ve moved over the past few years, I’ve always lost touch with the previous group and gone on to find a new one. In most cases, they’re friends of friends, as you describe, although I’ve had a few instances of arranged meetups.

I did have some limited success with posting at a local gaming store, although the results of that were slow-going (I think I got my first call after two or three months). I also tried a few online services with no success. It might have had something to do with the location I was in, or it might be that people can more easily ignore an email or forum post than a phone call.

At any rate, I’m a firm believer that personal acquaintances make the best players. Tabletop RPGs are, after all, a social activity. Arranging a game with strangers can then be likened to going on a blind date. Who would you rather go on a date with, a friend or a stranger? I think the distinction is clear.

Here’s a link to my post on CVGamers. The other groups were close variations.

I’ve been lucky, personally, in finding game groups. It has mostly been friend of a friend networking; I met a few people while I was in RenFaire, was introduced to Will (who already had a group) by my roommate Chris, had friends bring interested co-workers (which got us Wes) and co-workers bring their cousins (which brought us Ben). Ben brought a couple of gamers who didn’t work out; Chris brought a co-worker Dave, who brought his friend Dusty. (Many of these people have since moved.)

Other methods work too: if any gamestore in town has an open gaming night, show up once, even if they’re only playing minis and CCGs. There’s lots of crossover. A different local gamestore campaign wasn’t exactly my thing, it was fun enough during a lull between games and would have been a source of players if I’d been recruiting.

Copycat.