After the prospectus

[subplotkudzu]

Since the third prospectus I've been operating in a prospectus free environment, with a mixed bag of results. I originally thought to just fill time in the schedule with a 2 session Arabian Nights game to buy time to rework Psi-men. That expanded to 6 highly enjoyable sessions, and we've just returned to it.


As I have discussed, the Arabian Nights game was clearly GM driven. I then decided to go with the 3rd season of 1001 NYN, but the first session of that ran into problems with integrating Karen's PC and Karen couldn't make some sessions. Again this just felt like a non-starter.

So we took another break for another brief return to the Russia Campaign. Then we needed to introduce two more new players so I pulled out an old 'Dungeon Magazine' piece as the basis for another Arabian Nights game. That's been going fine, and is again GM driven. Right now I'm only intermittently in the drivers seat with this group, since netcurmudgeon is running the game we picked off of his 3 game prospectus.

Eventually I will produce another prospectus (probably after ashacat returns from India), but I'm not sure what might be on it. I do want to include some player-driven games, and suspect I might get a better response now that we've been hashing this out. Of course, a player driven game will either require more advance work to on world generation for me to give to the players, for the players to give me ideas I flesh out between sessions, or for the players to have more ability to co-create in play without it upsetting the apple cart. Otherwise I'm not sure they'd have data to feel like they're making good decisions.


There's also the urge to shift from 'circle of friends' to 'dinner party' ala whswhs, inviting all 12+ of the gamers in my circle to vote and picking two groups of 4-6 players from that to the campaigns with the highest degree of interest. While this would certainly break things up, it would also damage the games as being a set group's social networking tool. I don't know what the players will think of that.

Comments

[netcurmudgeon.livejournal.com]

I don't know what the players will think of that.

I'm iffy on it. On the one hand, more gaming opportunities are better! OTOH, this has been an element of our social glue for several years. While the occupant of the fourth player's chair has changed three times, the rest of the group has been stable, and we have a good dynamic. It's become an institution, and one that I value highly.

[brianrogers.livejournal.com]

I value it as well, which is why I'm not advocating for a precipitous change.

On the other hand, Change is going to happen: Jason's wife (the other other Chris) is likely moving to a schedule that will free up some of his weekends from watching the boys, and he could very well want to play. Christina & John are interested in playing anything that smacks of classic fantasy. That's 7, just in this node, and that will eventually force some action.

You guys have never had a chance to game with Dave, Bec or Jim from my MA group, and I'd like to see how such combinations might work. This is the best way I can see to do that.

[evynrude.livejournal.com]

Personally, I game with you all so that I see you on a regular basis.

I have enjoyed all of the adventures that I have been a part of. So, apparently I can be converted to whatever the majority wants to do.

As, for Christina & John - with twins on the way, how much gaming do you think is going to happen for them? Especially, since Christina isn't that into it, she just doing it to get John involved.

[brianrogers.livejournal.com]

Well, Christina has been asking me when we're playing again, so I'm taking that as interest. As far as you being converted, well, your voting pattern showed a clear preference for not coming into something in the middle, so you must have *some* sort of opinion.

Still, if the dominant drive is as as social networking tool, I should just drop the whole dinner party thing....

[evynrude.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear she's been asking about playing.

As for my voting record, I will admit the prospect of joining a game already in progress is a little intimidating and less fun for me initally because most of the games seem to have some aspect that keeps the added character in the dark. For me that=less fun.

I enjoyed the one session of 1001 NY Nights. On the surface, I'm not overly interested in Star Trek, but if that's what everyone else wants to do next for instance, I'd be game.

I like playing with this group and I'm comfortable and so far I've enjoyed everything we have done.