[metagaia]

might move this to future games if it decided for definite

Last Monday Ian voiced the idea (probably his, correct me if I am wrong) of a quick 2-3 week session of randomly allocated games, in order to mix up some of the groups a bit, since the same groups play amonst each other not because of 'cliqueiness' but probably because all the games finish at different times.

Ian suggested that a number of GMs prepare quick games for different systems lasting 2-3 sessions, then all the players are assigned randomly (from those that wish to do this).  I like the idea and the elegance of it's simplicity.

Obviously, even if the idea is given the go ahead, there are still details that need to be ironed out, like the date that it would start (I would prefer April, at the earliest.) and GMs need to come forward with games (I would also propose that if there are too many GM's then some are reassigned as players randomly).

Therefore, this thread is not a formal and final organisation, but merely a soapbox to discuss the idea, especially for those who are not currently at the club in person.

As for my personal thoughts; I quite like the idea myself, and would support it in the guidelines given above.  I also think that it would best overlap with the idea of the boardgame night, thus meaning there shouldn't be a board game night for awhile after this.  Also, I would like to express my interest in GMing a quick D&D (3.5 or 4E) adventure within that context.

Apologies for the long post!

[ian jones]

points i think may want to be concidered.

1) numbers of (willing) gamers should be counted and then worked out as to how many games there will be. example 20 people , 4 games of 5 or 5 games of 4.

2)once we have worked out how many games there shall be we then have a maximum limit of gm's

3)anybody wishing to be a gm should put down their name and if more gm's than games, they should be drawn from a hat and the unlucky ones given first choice next time around.

4)all games should last equal amounts of time, therefore any gm's should have an aproximate idea of what they entend to do, for arguements sake say 3 sessions/ or one off taster mission. (so normal gaming can resume at the end)

5)as some people arrive and depart together they may wish to be kept together so that they do not have to wait around.

6)some players may wish to not play a certain genre of game, or with a certain player, for that reason they should have the option of not playing if picked?

[metagaia]

[Shaphron]

I'd agree with MG here, picking who you play with in any form is kinda against the whole point of the exercise. If you come/go with someone, I'm sure you odn't mind if you wait a bit for them - I know Matt and I don't mind when we take Leigh home, and I believe he doesn't mind if we take longer than him to finish.

If there's someone you really don't want to play with, maybe you should reconsider joining in, if it will upset you that much. While, like any normal person, I have certain people I prefer to play with and certain people I'd prefer not to play with, I can't think of anyone at the club I would specifically *not* play with, if you do have someone like that then maybe it needs talking over between you and them? I'm not sure, but I can't see how playing a game for 3 weeks would necersarily put too much of a strain on anyone, even if you didn't like one of the other players, as you know it's only going to be for a short period of time and can ignore any bad habbits which put you off based on that premise.

With regards to number of GMs, I think it may be simply resolved by working out how many are needed - by any method mentioned above, then asking for volunteers. I think you'll find that if we get too many volunteers you'll get someone there willing to bow out this time without having to use a hat, and we wont know until after if it's succesful, so we don't want to be promising first pick next time until we know if theres going to be a next time - I'd say take each instance on it's own, and trust in people to be fair - ie if Matt 1 bows out this time, maybe Matt 2 will bow out next time without prompting, to try to be fair. I don't think we need to regulate this, trust people to be sensible.

Planning this for April gives everyone notice to get there games in order by that time, so no-one can say they weren't prepared for it. Maybe we should start the organising now, let everyone  be aware of the idea and get an idea of how many people are interested this monday, and say we're preliminarily planning it for April so don't panic now!

[dead]

I asked around last monday and one person expressed any reservations, I think I spoke to everyone there. April sounds good as it gives people time to get prepared and I was asked to delay it a month or so to give the D&D group time to get back into the game.

The idea is to get everybody out of their comfort zone somewhat. People tend to sit and play/run similar games with similar groups all the time. By doing this you will be trying something new with new people. You never know you might like it or it may confirm that you dont want to do that ever again.

I mentioned 2 weeks last week as it seems like a reasonable amount of time. Will probably require people to play pregen characters though. If the general feeling is for 3 weeks then we can run with that.

I would like to give preference to any new GM's out there actually, it a perfect time to give it a go if youv always fancied running but never had the guts.

Ian

[metagaia]

I agree with pretty much everything that Shaphron and Ian have said.  I would prefer 2 weeks, but I would like it to be extended to 3 if necessary.  Since while the GMs should be aiming for 2 weeks, it seems difficult to get the length right even for experianced GMs, never mind those of us new to it.

If April is the target, then I would aim for a preliminary list of GMs by the first week of March, to give the GMs a chance to prepare, especially if the adventure is written by them.

[dead]

[metagaia]

[dead]

Uses Silhouete rules. Based around a gameshow where you play convits who get dumped on an island. Winners get the winings get set free, losers are DOOMED!!!. Near future, very silly, probably quite short.

Ian

[Death Jester]

I would say 2 or 3 weeks with a boardgames night the week after. that way if a game over runs a week then people dont miss out signing up for new games. Sound fair?

I dont mind organising it. Will be there next week. And can get gms sorted and draw players and such.

Been really ill for the past few weeks so not managed an appearance for a while

[Teflon Billy]

[dead]

Unless someone did it last night we have not taken sign ups yet. Everyone I spoke to bar one said they would participate.

Ian

[metagaia]

I believe Shapron gathered a list of preliminary interest at the same time as treasury collection.  She will know better than I if anyone is opposed to it.

I have to agree with Simon after Monday, 2 weeks is the real aim, and I would rather then get back to my current campaign ASAP, rather than spend another week on board games.  The board game evening is meant to break up the montony of long adventures and sma e groups, not extend it.

[Death Jester]

The point would be that if a game did over run then it wouldn't be causing problems if there was a board games night. If all games finish on time then thats fine.

[dead]

I think most games could cope if one of their players wasnt available for a week. I dont think people want another 3 week slot when we are not playing their main game.

Ian

[Kamikazegerbil]

When are we actually going to go about deciding who's GMing for this? We could do with a definate idea sooner rather than later so GMs have time to prepare.

[metagaia]

Well, I was hoping that we could get a list at the club on Monday, and assuming we have enough, that should give the GM's 3 weeks to prepare, which should hopefully be enough.

I am willing to do a GM slot, but will have to put some thought into what I wan to GM (likely as I will have to order it)

[metagaia]

Well, after thinking about it, I decided to do a Savage Worlds scenario loosely based on Firefly (bounty hunters in space etc), though not actually Firefly itself.

No-one else at Paz's game seemed interested in GMing, though I didn't really speak to anyone else; which means so far I have the following list:

Ian:DOOMED!!!
Chris: Savage Worlds

If anyone else is interested in GMing, let me know here or at the club on Monday, and ideally prod other people as well  

Shaphron: you mentioned on Monday that you would prefer it to be mid-April IIRC, can you confirm that?

[Tess]

...I am thinking of daring to be brave and... * GASP * ...be a GM for my first ever time playing 'monsters and other childish things' - though I'm a bit worried that this might be the kinda game which some people would love and others wouldn't get into.

hmmm, what do people think, I'd like a bit of direction on it.

T

[Kamikazegerbil]

I will offer up the playtest of my Bleach RPG for this. One problem I can see is that being a playtest it will be an incomplete game (to use computer game lingo consider this and Alpha version) and I'll be hoping for honest, constructive opinions. I can understand that some may not like the idea of doing so.

[metagaia]

[Shaphron]

First dates - On the bank holiday monday, the 13th of April, at least half the club will be away dragon eventing, so the currentl plan was to have it the 2 weeks following that (20th & 27th of April) as most people I spoke to wanted to join in, but would prefer it to be later. If it is required to be earlier the 2 weeks preceeding that date would also be ok (30th March and 6th April).

I do have an approximate number of people interested - it is pretty much the whole club - even those who were reticent to start havce since said they would join in. It's an avarage of 25 people (ish). I will count up and deliver a proper number on monday for your edification. Hopefully Monday will also see the aquisition of register and finance book - I am going to take the money out of club funds as no-one has objected and they are directly for the club.

I belive we will end up with more GMs than necersary - Matt has said he may be willing to GM for this, and I may have gotten around to sorting my murder mystery planned game, which would work well for this also.

And K.Gerbil, the only reticence I owuld have about your plan is that it is a randomly picked game, so you may get people playing who do not want to go in a playtest. Although if you ran it at a different time I would be willing to play! (I've heard that Bleach is kinda similar to Naruto? Or at least, if you are into one then you needn't bother with the other...)

Shell

[Kamikazegerbil]

It's preciscly because of the random factor that it being a playtest bothered me. It will have a thin plot and be short run but still may not be for everyone. End of the day if we have to many I'll happily step down first. Either way I'm probably going to try playtesting it at the club more than once anyway so it's no big.

As for similarities to Naruto it's the same in Style and tone and generally where one is mentioned I've heard the other recommended. But I'm getting off topic.

[metagaia]

[Shaphron]

I haven't watched and Dragon Ball Z since it started - I did watch it when it first started, but then it got a bit woerd and I couldn't follow what the hell they were talking about half the time, even if I did enjoy it. Then I went to uni, so didn't watch it then (no TV for long time) so I'm a bit fuzzy on it now.

Love Naruto. but you're right, I think I am getting off topic. See you Monday!

[Tess]

Hoom. If anyone else wants to GM I'm actually quite interested in the savage worlds games and wouldn't mind trying my luck at ending up in that! (plus it means I can put off GMing for a little longer!!!)

[paz]

Tess: Don't drop out, your game is one of the ones I'm most keen on! I don't know what Bleach is (other than something for cleaning floors) and I've never watched Firefly/Serenity. Doomed sounds pretty good, but 'Monsters' sounds great!

[Tess]

YAY! - Support!

Ooh Noo! - This means I'm actually gonna have to do it!

[Shaphron]

[HDimagination]

'Spose I should chime in.

If we need a fith GM, I am happy to run a 4E game (the same one I ran at conception, but out of the people who went only shell was in it).

[Tess]

I FOUND SOME BALLS!!!!!

I am actually finally really looking forward to running my monsters game and fell asleep thinking about the setting I'm gonna use last night  

Woot Woot!

[ian jones]

you found balls? is there something you havent told us?
well i think you pass very well for a lady and think if you keep up with the tablets the nhs would have to allow the full op.

[Shaphron]

Official list of GMS:

Ian M - running DOOMED!
Chris - [meta's edit]Savage Worlds (Sci-fi Setting)[/edit]
Tess - running monsters and other childish things
Matt P - running a 4th edition scenario with new classes/races (such as barbarian and warforged)
Robin - running a playtest of a d20 / golden axe crossover thing

At last count there were 30 members of the club, most of whom are regular, and all of whom have agreed to the lucky-dip game (although some under protest). So the GMs should expect about 5 players per game, although they may vary between 3 and 6, depending on if everyone turns up and if we get any new people joining between now and then.

The date will be the monday after the bank holiday. The bank holiday is April the 13th, so the Monday after is the 20th. This gives you GMs just over 3 weeks (from today) to get everything sorted. Make sure your game is playable for the number of players possible.

Players will be drawn early on Monday the 20th, out of a hat. I can see no problem with each player having 1 veto, if they end up in a game they really don't want to play - but don't think you'll be able to pick which group you do end up in, you'll just be able to veto the first one you're picked for if you really don't want to do it. I'd suggest 7:30pm as the time for picking names out of hats, so if you really care make sure you show up by then or inform someone you trust of any game you really don't want to play.

I hope everyone enjoys themselves!

Shell

[Death Jester]

What is the length? as i could save my monies to make it down for a short stint.

[metagaia]

Online again *at last*.  These 2 weeks have been irritating!

Death Jester, as afar as I am aware it is for 2 weeks (at least, 5 hours is the gameplay target I am aiming for).  I don't think there were any real protests to make it longer than that.

[paz]

So, how is this going so far? Who GMed for who in the end? Is there any point me coming next week (if it's even possible for me to make it)?

[Tess]

hiya, it might be worth coming down as I might be a man (or should I say ginger hair 8 yr old girl) down. If not I think there are others who may want to just play board games.

[Shaphron]

Not all games were filled, some with pregens, so you may be able to slot yourself ain. Also, if any of the players coulnd't make it the second week spaces will be open. All 5 games are running, we were about 5 people short of haing each one full, but it went really well. Ian tried to interfer with the organising, but Josh and I managed very well with our own plan  

[dead]

[JimZ]

Hmm.. I think our characters might be a little suspicious of more people to share the prize money in game with if/when we find it...

Having said that, the more the merrier once the carnage begins  

[Tess]

....prize money???

Have I missed this somewhere?

[JimZ]

Unfortunately its only in game money (Ian's game Doomed)... and even that only assuming we survive (which *might* not be that likely)

sorry for any confusion

[paz]

I should be at the club at my normal time (19:15ish) tonight; if I'm the only one who wasn't there last week then hopefully I'll slot in to one of the games if that's OK.

I'll also bring some board games, in case there's a few people without a game; I guess it will be a lot easier for us just to make a new table rather than disrupting most/all of the existing ones.

[metagaia]

Well, I believe that is over and done with (at least for my table) and I did enjoy myself.  Though I did learn that attempting to write my own adventure was more stressful than just using a prepublished one.  

If I have one regret about my time, it was that I didn't get as many 'new' players as I hoped.  There is a significant percentage of the club that I have never RPed with, and I only got two people out of the regular group!  I suppose in that sense it made it more fun though, just because it was a new position to be in.

If everyone else has enjoyed themselves, I might suggest turning this into either an annual or a bi-annual thing.  Any more than that I believe would be too much, but I think it is a nice way to mix the groups up regularly.

Thoughts?

[Teflon Billy]

I enjoyed myself, got to try out 4th edition a bit, played with some different people. 'Twas good    .

[Tess]

I'm not sure I would have got the confidence to run my game if it wasn't for being able to use this as an excuse so I'm very happy it happened  

I think the whole shuffle shenanigans counts as a success!

HUZZAH!! to the thinker upper of the idea-er!

[JimZ]

I really enjoyed it, and while I'm not coming from the perspective of someone who has been in a long campaign I would imagine it provides something of a nice change of pace once in a while.

'Twas good.

[Shaphron]

I think the mix-up of players os good, and so I'd second (or third, whatever) the idea of making this a bi-annual event.

[Kamikazegerbil]

Okay well this was mentioned the other night so I thought I'd get the ball-rolling here. It's not a be and end all but we can work out an idea of how soon people want this here to announce at the club and see if folks object. It looks as though early/mid-november might be the way to go to give GMs time to produce something.

[metagaia]

Early November sounds fine to me.  Do we have a provisional list of interested GMs?

[dead]

Not yet, was gonna give people a week to think and then will start the list next week

Ian

[dedindahed]

I'd like a chance to run battlestations, would be best with exactly 4,
and it's a hybrid baord/rpg if people are ok with that.

Should have the Cthulhu inspired expansion by the time of running.

[metagaia]

I could run another Savage Worlds if anyone was interested in that?

[Kamikazegerbil]

I'd like to run a Changeling: the Lost game I'm preparing for Conception.

[Death Jester]

just so people know i would like to come along, as its easier to commit to a couple of weeks (and cheaper) so as i dont come here too often these days can someone txt or call me to let me know when its on?

[Teflon Billy]

Are the confirmed dates for this 14th & 21st?

[dead]

Yup 14th and 21st make the most sense.

Ian

[Jimmy]

14th and 21st of december? if so count me in!

[xorsyst]

So, what's this all about, and will there still be people wanting to play board games?

[metagaia]

[Tess]

[xorsyst]

Who is dedindahed?  Is it Dave?

We need forum-ID namelabels

[metagaia]

[xorsyst]

Ah - meant the other way round - I want people IRL to wear labels with their forum IDs.  I reckon at least half the people at the club I have no idea what their actual names are anyway.  PS - who are you?

[metagaia]

[dedindahed]

So, can anyone enlighten me as to the process by which my game was excluded from the shuffle list????

[Jimmy]

evil evil people excluding dedindahed like that!

[paz]

So, can anyone shed any light on what's going on with this? There's a chance I may make it for those two weeks.

[dead]

Most people know what games they are in, as you come in the door next week you will get a chance to pick your game randomly.

I think all games bar Daves have the minimum number to play, I think Daves needs one more and mine only has 3 players for the 2nd week.  Come as early as you can my game will be starting fairly early as I have a fair bit to get through.

Ian

[paz]

So who is running what then? Last time I ended up playing in a game made up mostly of my regular players; would want to make sure that didn't happen again as it kind of defeats the object.

Not 100% sure I can come yet, btw.

[metagaia]

[paz]

[Jimmy]

I am fairly sure Shell is not doing CoC and I am also fairly sure Ian is doing Call of Cthulhu

[Kamikazegerbil]

I am running Changeling: the Lost not WFRP

[Tess]

[metagaia]

Ok, that list now seems right.

I must admit, serious or not, I like Paz's idea a lot!

[paz]

[paz]

[dedindahed]

[paz]