Running a Game in Public by Frank Mentzer – Part I: Logistics January 29, 2020Zoltar Running a Game in Public<br /> Part I: Logistics</p> <p>Going to a Game Convention this year? Thinking of running a game? (It’s a big leap…)</p> <p>I did that for 35 years. Here’s some (incomplete) advice.</p> <p>1. Those who enroll in your event are probably paying to play a 4-hour game (the typical timeslot). Don’t kill them off within half an hour. (What does the player do then, go start a poker game? Bad form.)<br /> Find ways to give them value for the money and commitment, whatever it takes… resurrection potions, do-overs (with a badge of shame?), whatever.</p> <p>2. Have premade characters ready. Let them pick what they want and die-roll anything in dispute.<br /> I use a tight party of 12 PCs. The ones not involved (after players pick) are adventuring elsewhere (in backstory).<br /> Along with the char sheet, give each player a superbrief outline of knowledge of, attitude toward, and relationship with each other PC (1 page 1 side, preferably less). Given this, your group can act like veterans together right out of the gate — if they’re good enough and use what they’re given.</p> <p>3. Keep loose notes and a flexible attitude. If the party wants to do something, fine; don’t railroad ’em. Be ready to change the adventure on the fly to avoid problems (TPKs).</p> <p>4. Wrap it up on time. Players have other commitments, don’t make them late.<br /> If you run out of time and skip the finale, players will be UnHappy, and go away with a bad taste in their mouth. After-Action Reviews (AARs) will be mixed.<br /> For optimal pacing you may have to scrap an earlier planned encounter or two, so you have time for the Finale. Cut by default; you can ALWAYS make things take longer, any time. (You knew that…)</p> <p>5. Get the group to clean up the gaming area before they depart. Leave it immaculate. Con management will hear about that eventually, and you’ll become Favored.<br /> No, don’t skip this one. Be a good guy.</p> <p>.<br /> The adventure itself can be nearly anything. When I wrote & ran major tournaments (RPGA 1980s, several hundred players in tables of 8), I always inserted an early wake-up call, very early in the session (1st encounter, even) — something very active, requiring lots of party coordination.</p> <p>If you DON’T wake up the group (to force a bunch of strangers to work together asap), they may lolligag the whole game, move and decide slowly, chat a lot and do little. Don’t let the game bog down like that.</p> <p>Accessories<br /> I allow all books & materials at the table. But when I ask you a question, ANY delay for rule-referencing means you lose initiative. If you look up weapon or spell details and delay our game thereby, same story (when unprepared, you go last).<br /> I permit digital devices of all sorts. But if you take or make a Text or Voice call, step away from the game. (NOW, I said. Yeah, YOU.)</p> <p>(reposted from a 1e forum)</p> <p>*** See post Part 2 for Characters and Part 3 for a generic dungeon! Share this:TweetWhatsAppTelegramEmail
