I don't really know why it has been this way, my friends like gaming, I like gaming...... perhaps its been transitioning from university to work? Or the lack of a decent gaming area? Perhaps its been the fact that until 3 months ago we lived in a house like the one below that required Sherpa's to get to.
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| Seriously, this is a smaller hill and easier to get to than where we lived |
Yeah, well that forsaken hell hole is a thing of the past. Now I have my own place..... with a gaming table.... but still no gaming
UNTIL NOW!
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| Me when i found out my friends wanted to play Descent |
I am really looking forward to this, as shown by this webcam capture of me here.
So why is it, that I really really enjoy doing something, but don't seem to get around to enjoying my hobby enough? In our late teens and early 20's we gamed until the cows came home... (Or sheep, or parents). We had not a lot else to do I must admit but we seemed always to be doing something. I have no idea how many one off roleplaying games people wrote and played in back then, but it was a lot.
So now, when we have less spare time to we seem to spend a higher proportion of it doing stuff all? This year I've spent 10 times more time reading about gaming and painting than doing it.
Do we all become boring and old, inflexible and lazy? Organizing something as simple as a game requires a lot more effort these days..... and none of our close group have kids yet?
I for one want to keep on gaming. I want to find the energy to keep doing what I love, with people who's company I enjoy. (Even the new Warmachine group who I'm really just getting to know)
So, anyone else ever feel like its all to much bloody effort some days? What strategies have people used to keep gaming groups together? Will Games Workshop ever realize that placing teasers on the internet after a product launch has been leaked and then stifling comments and saying that its all baseless rumors is stupid?
Who knows, but one thing i do know is that I still like gaming.
Good post. I think a lot of the issue is definitely the amount of effort it takes to get everyone in synch for events as we get older. I can't believe the amount of hassle it is to find a time that suits everyone for roleplaying, and as you say that's before any of us even have kids!
ReplyDeleteTotally down for a regular geek night again. I'm thinking that with time the Descent might even evolve into a RPG or some wargaming later on, once we get into the habit of playing. Who knows!
Not to mention the time required to write a roleplaying story to the standard we like (Being fussy and elitist gits in that regard)
ReplyDeleteBoardgaming is certainly easier, and I think we can have a lot of fun with it.
As mentioned before, it's often a lack of free time and free co-ordinated time.
ReplyDeleteHowever, like any habit, the best way to do it regularly is to just start doing it. A GM in this scary, modern world also needs to be really disciplined with organising the game and the material. I find these days it is more work, but actually more rewarding than back in the day.
Also for roleplaying, don't be afraid to rely on published scenarios that you can modify. It has worked well for me over the last couple of years and has allowed me to channel my creative energy for writing into single scenarios for conventions and the like.
If I am brutally honest, I would rather do roleplaying long term than board gaming. While I like it, I just don't get the same buzz or depth. If you have hit a brick wall, I'm happy to kick back into some Trail or Call of Cthulhu after a decent stint of boardgaming while you get your mojo back. We can even try some new games that you might find interesting.
Thinking more about being discipline, this also includes players as well. If they commit to a regular time, then they need to see that through to help out the GM build consistency and momentum.
ReplyDeleteI think the big thing is getting the lads together at some time that doesn't involve going out drinking or being at a party (also drinking).
ReplyDeleteThere is something to be said about regular lad time. In the end it probably matters less what we do and more that we do it together.
Well said, Vomkrieg! GROUP HUG!
ReplyDeleteDon't touch me
ReplyDeleteThere's a world of frottage coming your way
ReplyDelete