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- The Lone Wolf Development Team
How do you find other players
- Thread starter SirJames
- Start date
You're not missing anything. Since Realm Works can be used with literally any game system, I'm not sure this forum is going to be the best place for recruiting players. You'll likely find that a forum dedicated to the game system you're running is a better resource for that purpose. My guess is that other users have felt the same way, since I'm not aware of anyone posting threads for that purpose in the past. That being said, you're welcome to do so if you wish. 
MNBlockHead
Well-known member
I would like to re-purpose this thread if I might. How DO you find players for your games? When I decided to get back into table-top role-playing games, I looked into a number of venues for finding the players. I was looking for in-person games, not VTT. The only one that worked, and it worked well, was Meetup.com. I found a meetup group for role-playing games in my area that had a forum for DM's looking for players and vice versa. That's how I filled out my first group, followed by friends and networks of the players after that.
I know that many (most/all?) of the VTT platforms have mechanisms to send out invites (perhaps the OP mistook RW for a VTT, which prompted the question?), but for those of you who still play in meat space, how do you find new players?
I know that many (most/all?) of the VTT platforms have mechanisms to send out invites (perhaps the OP mistook RW for a VTT, which prompted the question?), but for those of you who still play in meat space, how do you find new players?
@MNBlockHead
My most successful methods were as follows:
1) Ask your local game store counter monkey. They'll know of more games locally than you'll be able to find on your own 9/10 times. They'll also tell you about in store events, and at the very least, point you at the "Looking for Group" board which lists who's looking for players/groups.
2) Roll20. Roll20 is a GREAT resource for finding games/players for VTT play. Most play in the R20 interface, but some use Google Hangouts. Highly recommend you check it out. Note, without a 2nd screen and using Google Hangouts, you cannot share your player view in this manner. I hope to see an enhancement to RW in the future that would allow Roll20 Integration.
3) /r/lfg on Reddit is a great resource for finding games. But, as it's a subreddit, your post might get shuffled off the front page before you get any hits.
4) Your friends and family. I list this low, because some of us have a bugger of a time getting people available. My group is all but disbanded due to work schedules and personal availability.
5) Conventions. Brother, this is a great way to find groups, and play games. Problem is, that they're few and far between in most areas (there's 3 in Indianapolis every year with any real attendance, GenCon, InCon, and HoosierCon).
6) As a last ditch effort, should all the above fail, hit up the Pathfinder Society boards, or the ShadowRun Missions! or the Camarilla, or any other "shared universe" club to find games. Pretty much every big name game has a fan club. If you're willing to give up control of your story/character in the name of finding regular games, you can always try this route. I list it last because, to me, these are events outside the actual gaming hobby and transcend into something else. They use premade adventures ONLY with ZERO customization allowed on the part of the GM (excluding the Camarilla to a degree), and you are not usually in a RAW environment (i.e. Addendum, Rules Changes, Crafting Limitations, etc...)
My most successful methods were as follows:
1) Ask your local game store counter monkey. They'll know of more games locally than you'll be able to find on your own 9/10 times. They'll also tell you about in store events, and at the very least, point you at the "Looking for Group" board which lists who's looking for players/groups.
2) Roll20. Roll20 is a GREAT resource for finding games/players for VTT play. Most play in the R20 interface, but some use Google Hangouts. Highly recommend you check it out. Note, without a 2nd screen and using Google Hangouts, you cannot share your player view in this manner. I hope to see an enhancement to RW in the future that would allow Roll20 Integration.
3) /r/lfg on Reddit is a great resource for finding games. But, as it's a subreddit, your post might get shuffled off the front page before you get any hits.
4) Your friends and family. I list this low, because some of us have a bugger of a time getting people available. My group is all but disbanded due to work schedules and personal availability.
5) Conventions. Brother, this is a great way to find groups, and play games. Problem is, that they're few and far between in most areas (there's 3 in Indianapolis every year with any real attendance, GenCon, InCon, and HoosierCon).
6) As a last ditch effort, should all the above fail, hit up the Pathfinder Society boards, or the ShadowRun Missions! or the Camarilla, or any other "shared universe" club to find games. Pretty much every big name game has a fan club. If you're willing to give up control of your story/character in the name of finding regular games, you can always try this route. I list it last because, to me, these are events outside the actual gaming hobby and transcend into something else. They use premade adventures ONLY with ZERO customization allowed on the part of the GM (excluding the Camarilla to a degree), and you are not usually in a RAW environment (i.e. Addendum, Rules Changes, Crafting Limitations, etc...)
Depending on where you're located, there may also be MeetUp groups in your area.
MNBlockHead
Well-known member
Liz, Meetup.com was how I found most of my current players. There is a meetup group for a local roleplaying game association that is very active.
Friends and family...well, I started my current campaign with a number of old highschool friends after I moved back to the area, but half of them couldn't commit to even a monthly game. My oldest is just barely old enough to play, but not old enough to integrate into a group of adults.
Conventions...this ones tough. We have a few different gaming conventions in my area, but I find it hard to take the time from work and family to spend much time at them. I played one game at Con of the North last year to become more comfortable with the 5e rules before I started DMing my campaign. Almost all of the players lived too far away to be able to play in a local (my location) game or have friends who could.
We have a number of good game stores, but I didn't think to ask anyone working there about players. I'm usually running in and out to make some quick purchases.
Roll20 does seem to have a great system for finding players or games to join, but I'm not interested in VTT.
Friends and family...well, I started my current campaign with a number of old highschool friends after I moved back to the area, but half of them couldn't commit to even a monthly game. My oldest is just barely old enough to play, but not old enough to integrate into a group of adults.
Conventions...this ones tough. We have a few different gaming conventions in my area, but I find it hard to take the time from work and family to spend much time at them. I played one game at Con of the North last year to become more comfortable with the 5e rules before I started DMing my campaign. Almost all of the players lived too far away to be able to play in a local (my location) game or have friends who could.
We have a number of good game stores, but I didn't think to ask anyone working there about players. I'm usually running in and out to make some quick purchases.
Roll20 does seem to have a great system for finding players or games to join, but I'm not interested in VTT.
MNBlockHead
Well-known member
That could be very cool. Quite a while ago, I suggested organizing Web meetings for RW DMs to share how they've setup their worlds. This would be even better. Schedule some single adventures with pre-rolled characters. Play through a short adventure, so you can see how the DM uses RW in game, then after the session, the DM could share his or her view of RW, so we can see how things were set up in the tool.
MNBlockHead
Well-known member
I think playing over the net would be the most practical.
Google Hangouts would work fine. While you can use a VTT, I would prefer the focus to be on RW and using it to share maps and theater of the mind play for encounters.
Now, that said, back when I was trying to set up Web meetings to discuss RW with other users and see how more experienced DMs set things up, I got very little traction but was able to arrange two in-person meetings with members of these boards, both in less than a 20 minute drive. So, perhaps and in-person game isn't out of the question...
Google Hangouts would work fine. While you can use a VTT, I would prefer the focus to be on RW and using it to share maps and theater of the mind play for encounters.
Now, that said, back when I was trying to set up Web meetings to discuss RW with other users and see how more experienced DMs set things up, I got very little traction but was able to arrange two in-person meetings with members of these boards, both in less than a 20 minute drive. So, perhaps and in-person game isn't out of the question...
Do not be offended if you ask at a store and they will not hand out names and contact info. As a store owner of many years, I have learned that this is not a good idea in case there are any issues. Let's face it, there are crazies in any hobby and RPGs are no exception. D&D Encounters in a store or Meetup Groups is a better way.
MNBlockHead
Well-known member
@Gord. Makes sense.
I just wanted to thank everyone for their kind advice and ideas. I knew that Realm works was not a VTT, I just thought that getting people who have realm works would be a great idea. I lost a lot of my old players when I moved and have not had much luck since then in reconstituting a group. I absolutely loved ERDRIX post about growing your own players, but it takes at least 8 years for them to read. LOL. I did not know about meetup will have to try that. Thanks again for the post responses and may you all have a prosperous and happy new year.
Sincerely SirJames
Sincerely SirJames