This is an unusually long break, but difficulties scheduling sessions is unfortunately quite common. Now this group contains three physicians with call and what not, but it isn’t just these players. The game I play in has been on a long hiatus, too, due to scheduling difficulties--though admittedly one of those involved our GM going to Manhattan to tap an appearance on the Daily Show, so I’d call that a reasonable excuse for a cancellation.
So, anyway, its hard. Hard to get busy adults together and hard to get back into the groove after a break. I wonder if these long breaks happen to other people? And if so, how do you guys recover after a break so long you’re lucky if players remember their characters’ names much less details of what was going on?
It happens to our group but we try and do something else maybe like a show or just an email to catch up but the older we get the harder it gets.
ReplyDeleteI am really itching to get back to our game too, Trey. I've been reading Game of Thrones in preparation for the upcoming HBO show, and it's gotten me all pumped up about some fantasy adventuring.
ReplyDeleteThursday, May 18, 2010 was the last W&W post.
ReplyDeleteYup, and it drives me nuts. I'm just getting a campaign off the ground and after only one session there've already been delays and shake-ups. It's one of the reasons why I do so much single-player gaming with my girlfriend--much easier to schedule!
ReplyDeleteWe record just about all of our sessions with the understanding that these recordings won't be shared with others - this way we can always listen to them to clear up any details or (in worst case scenarios) differences in opinion as to what transpired. We've only had to do the latter once or twice, and as tempting as it's been to use in an actual session ("You never said that!") we've so far resisted the urge.
ReplyDeleteIt can be difficult to regain the lost momentum and emotional connection to events in the game after long absences though. I'm not sure if anything can really be done about that.
Sounds like other folks feel my pain here. :)
ReplyDelete@C'norr - True. I got inconsistent about my posting play write-ups though, so its more recent.
@Tug - Hey! Thanks for stopping by. FOIAF is great. I'm sure the TV series is gonna give me an even greater itch for gaming.
@Ze Bulette - That's a real good suggestion. Though mostly, my player's tend to take my word for what I've said, though the question is, do I remember it?
This has been an exceptionally difficult time for my own group. My wife is just wrapping up her masters degree and just got back from an extended business trip to South Korea. March is going to be s comPlete bust. But we are very good about stadium write-ups and we always seem to have great sessions after a long hiatus. As GM, I always feel exra pressure to make the session count.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean--though with gamer ADD always a risk, the longer the break the more likely my interests are to wander elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteAudio recordings are just a great idea all around. Have yet to implement, but it's on the to-do list. Def a great way to re-immerse yourself in a neglected gameworld.
ReplyDeleteBetween,my home group and my at school group there are very long gaps between playing, usually we just roll new characters and start a new game.
ReplyDelete@Pierce - We haven't gotten to that point yet, but I could see how one might decide that was the way to go.
ReplyDeleteI game with the Lurker, who commented first. We used to game at least once every 2 weeks, now we're lucky if it's once every 2-3months.We don't game enough anymore, trying to fit it in with work, kids and the Mrs is soooooo difficult!!!
ReplyDeleteHey, Ray. Yeah, those adults responsibilities have a way of getting in the way.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely I can feel your pain in this regard. We're seriously looking at just running a regular drop-in game and see who/what shows up...
ReplyDeleteWith a big enough pool of potential players that maybe about the best way to go.
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