Shilling for the con. I looked over the listings and am pretty sad that there are no PbtA games running, nor any other story games! I see The Pathfinder Society has a large majority, and someone is even running GURPS!
Definitely check it out if you’re interested in running. There’s even an opportunity to earn a free con pass out of it. Plus, if we can make The Gauntlet a sponsor, it’d be a great way to promote the group.
And if not, there looks to be some fun games. Or at least some great stories about how terrible the games were!
Woof! That is a bunch of garbage roleplaying!
Woof! That is a bunch of garbage roleplaying!
tell me about it. In the time it takes for them to pass out the Pre-gens you could have your party fighting off a bunch of orcs in the woods!
tell me about it. In the time it takes for them to pass out the Pre-gens you could have your party fighting off a bunch of orcs in the woods!
Honestly, story/indie gaming is not really even part of the same hobby. The games are different, the people are different, the vibe is different. The only reason story gaming continues to be associated with tabletop RPGs is because its standard bearers all came from that background.
Honestly, story/indie gaming is not really even part of the same hobby. The games are different, the people are different, the vibe is different. The only reason story gaming continues to be associated with tabletop RPGs is because its standard bearers all came from that background.
i went for the first time last year before i joined The Gauntlet cuzz i needed my gaming fix really bad. what you said is true though, Jason Cordova. it feels like another world at those games since the GMs at the pathfinder society have to abide by the rules or risk not being able to GM officially.
i went for the first time last year before i joined The Gauntlet cuzz i needed my gaming fix really bad. what you said is true though, Jason Cordova. it feels like another world at those games since the GMs at the pathfinder society have to abide by the rules or risk not being able to GM officially.
There is a distinct lack of diversity. It’s sad the state of Con gaming. “Living” games are taking up so much con time. I’ve played in LFR and PFS and I got more RP from my old D&D PC games.
There is a distinct lack of diversity. It’s sad the state of Con gaming. “Living” games are taking up so much con time. I’ve played in LFR and PFS and I got more RP from my old D&D PC games.
That’s why posted the event, I’m hoping that we can start filtering into the convention scene and start pulling people who really want to story game experience into our group so they can grow and learn become good role-plays like the rest of us have experienced.
You can’t start a baby out eating steak, but once they cut their teeth you can offer options. I see trad gaming as the teeth cutting that gets people started, and then we come in and offer more diverse options
That’s why posted the event, I’m hoping that we can start filtering into the convention scene and start pulling people who really want to story game experience into our group so they can grow and learn become good role-plays like the rest of us have experienced.
You can’t start a baby out eating steak, but once they cut their teeth you can offer options. I see trad gaming as the teeth cutting that gets people started, and then we come in and offer more diverse options
As somebody who works cons, there aren’t many non traditional games being run because people won’t sign up to run them. Be the change you want to see.
As somebody who works cons, there aren’t many non traditional games being run because people won’t sign up to run them. Be the change you want to see.
I’ll tell you this: If I had not come to Kerry’s more traditional stuff, I never would of found the love of Storygaming that now burns in my heart. And I would not of had the flame turn from spark to blazing “Door to Hell” were it not for The Gauntlet & it’s people.
I’ll tell you this: If I had not come to Kerry’s more traditional stuff, I never would of found the love of Storygaming that now burns in my heart. And I would not of had the flame turn from spark to blazing “Door to Hell” were it not for The Gauntlet & it’s people.
Not enough people signing up to run them, Shadow Byrd, and, when people sign up to run them, not enough other people signing up to play them.
Not enough people signing up to run them, Shadow Byrd, and, when people sign up to run them, not enough other people signing up to play them.
I agree Mark Chance, I know how to fix the first, but not the second. Any suggestions?
I agree Mark Chance, I know how to fix the first, but not the second. Any suggestions?
Door prizes? A kissing booth? Free kittens? Celebrity GMs for less-than-main-stream systems? I dunno.
Door prizes? A kissing booth? Free kittens? Celebrity GMs for less-than-main-stream systems? I dunno.
My guess is unfamiliarity. Most of us here are an adventurous group and are also familiar with the people we play with. Thus, we are more open to looking at a game we have no idea about and going “I’ll give that a try!”
Much like I tell my artist friends who say they do not like fanart, you have to trick the general public of people into trying new things, especially when it’s a departure of the normal. Dungeon World is a good entry point because it’s still close enough to D&D to translate concepts over while still allowing a person to feel in their depth.
And yea, it will be slow going getting people signed up for them. But like any good thing, it has to start and be nurtured into full bloom. I know I do my part by telling people about it, how awesome these kinda games are, and trying to run at least a one-shot so they can in turn share the stories.
My guess is unfamiliarity. Most of us here are an adventurous group and are also familiar with the people we play with. Thus, we are more open to looking at a game we have no idea about and going “I’ll give that a try!”
Much like I tell my artist friends who say they do not like fanart, you have to trick the general public of people into trying new things, especially when it’s a departure of the normal. Dungeon World is a good entry point because it’s still close enough to D&D to translate concepts over while still allowing a person to feel in their depth.
And yea, it will be slow going getting people signed up for them. But like any good thing, it has to start and be nurtured into full bloom. I know I do my part by telling people about it, how awesome these kinda games are, and trying to run at least a one-shot so they can in turn share the stories.
I’m enjoying this discussion. I think non-traditional games are fairly well-represented at the smaller, gaming-focused cons (like Forge Midwest), and those are the ones I like to attend.
I do think there is a certain mismatch between the convention atmosphere and story games. My Life With Master, for example, is probably one of the very best games the form has to offer, but it’s about the cycle of abusive relationships and veers into some incredibly dark territory. It’s not for everyone, and certainly not a good fit for a con. Or Annalise, which is a metaphor for drug addiction – not the most jovial game ever. I mean, imagine if I chose to run Dog Eat Dog. Here’s what the registration blurb would say:
“Dog Eat Dog is about the horrors of colonialism. You are put in the role of a native who must endure all manner of predation at the hands of the all-powerful GM. Players have no real control over the events in their characters’ lives and can only hope the GM is sufficiently pleased with their servility to allow them to live.”
Actually, as I read that back to myself, it sounds an awful lot like D&D, haha. Anyway, you know what I’m getting at – these games aren’t an easy sell.
I’m enjoying this discussion. I think non-traditional games are fairly well-represented at the smaller, gaming-focused cons (like Forge Midwest), and those are the ones I like to attend.
I do think there is a certain mismatch between the convention atmosphere and story games. My Life With Master, for example, is probably one of the very best games the form has to offer, but it’s about the cycle of abusive relationships and veers into some incredibly dark territory. It’s not for everyone, and certainly not a good fit for a con. Or Annalise, which is a metaphor for drug addiction – not the most jovial game ever. I mean, imagine if I chose to run Dog Eat Dog. Here’s what the registration blurb would say:
“Dog Eat Dog is about the horrors of colonialism. You are put in the role of a native who must endure all manner of predation at the hands of the all-powerful GM. Players have no real control over the events in their characters’ lives and can only hope the GM is sufficiently pleased with their servility to allow them to live.”
Actually, as I read that back to myself, it sounds an awful lot like D&D, haha. Anyway, you know what I’m getting at – these games aren’t an easy sell.
I’m really happy there’s good discussion going back and forth.
As for the subject matter:
Things like “Life With Master” definitely are not con winners, it would be akin to trying to get someone to enjoy the shooting range by showing them how to blow pigeons out of the sky with a machine gun.
It’s why I think it’s important to introduce and have games like Ghostlines, *World hacks, etc, where a first time player can come in, dip their feet into the lake of Story Gaming, and decide this is nice, and they want to see more of it. Specially with the ones that are used to being shepherd along (which is why I love that a GM can go “how do you know that” or “what does it do? Tell me”) and thus give the players agency to create, to move from a passive ride on “It’s a Small World” and onto The Epcot center of a strange new world!
Then we play “Life With Master”. And laugh/cry.
I’m really happy there’s good discussion going back and forth.
As for the subject matter:
Things like “Life With Master” definitely are not con winners, it would be akin to trying to get someone to enjoy the shooting range by showing them how to blow pigeons out of the sky with a machine gun.
It’s why I think it’s important to introduce and have games like Ghostlines, *World hacks, etc, where a first time player can come in, dip their feet into the lake of Story Gaming, and decide this is nice, and they want to see more of it. Specially with the ones that are used to being shepherd along (which is why I love that a GM can go “how do you know that” or “what does it do? Tell me”) and thus give the players agency to create, to move from a passive ride on “It’s a Small World” and onto The Epcot center of a strange new world!
Then we play “Life With Master”. And laugh/cry.
I ran Fiasco a couple of years ago at OwlCon and the players and I had a great time. I haven’t played Psi*Run yet, but that one sounds like it might be a good choice. Or Swords Without Master?
I ran Fiasco a couple of years ago at OwlCon and the players and I had a great time. I haven’t played Psi*Run yet, but that one sounds like it might be a good choice. Or Swords Without Master?