Player Focus

[Ahnn Uuh]

Do you ever have troubles keeping everyone on track? In my group, some players take gaming seriously and some seem unable to remain focussed on play for longer than about ten minutes.

Mind, we are hampered somewhat by small children who cannot be eradicated.... from the playing area, I mean.... as well as by members who don't get to see each other very often and thus spend the whole evening catching up on the gossip. If we meet earlier than planned to socialize some (for example, sharing dinner beforehand) it just means we get an even later start to actual gaming.

I thought about reinstating stocks or thumbscrews, but they do seem like extreme measures. Ideas?

[Boozer]

Ha ha ha! We have the same problem Ahnn Uuh!

We only see our closest friends at the weekend, and then its very rarely we manage to fit in a session of T&T. When we do, I have a devil of a job trying to get the players to focus, as they are catching-up with the week's news and events etc.

I am not always bothered, but sometimes, especially when I've written something special for the session, or its a favourite dungeon of mine, I get ratty when the players are telling humourous stories from their week at work rather than listening to mt adventure introduction!

My solution: When your friends/players arrive, make a brew or whatever, and sit in another room to chat for half an hour or so. When the coffee is finished, retire to the game room (or to the table if you don't have a game room) and begin! By this time all the chat should be out of the way and you can play!

As for small children, that's a problem

We just have the one daughter, and she's just gone two, so she's in bed by the time our friends arrive.

[Boozer]

"If we meet earlier than planned to socialize some (for example, sharing dinner beforehand) it just means we get an even later start to actual gaming."

Ha ha! Yes indeed! Also, if you serve food, drinks or whatever beforehand, there's always the risk that people can't be bothered, and the chat lasts the night! Not always a bad thing, but if you have planned the game, laid out figures & floorplans, prepared NPCs, etc. then it can be very annoying.

[pluzbeta]

I think our next gaming session will be more focused... I think the Computer will resolve that issue.
Not paying attention? Please report to the nearest Terminal. Have a nice day!

[verdius]

Haddy folks,

Just wanted to say i've been enjoying the posts. I lost my link to this forum and have been out to pasture for a while, till i couldn't stand it and searched thru about 30 pages of Trollwalla to get it again. Now that's dedication, you gotta admit

I'm in the same boat with gaming, where the only gamers i hang with these days are my age and have kids to tend to (and you know trolls and kids don't mix) I like your suggestions Boozer. You might also make the playing area so it's not in the path to the kitchen and what not, where extra distractions happen, and set a more realistic time frame for it so people know there's limited time to get the playing in, after which the usual chaos can ensue.

Also, it's good to have gamers that know how to game, which is more than knowing the rules. Gaming takes time to learn i think. So if it's a problem, be patient and work on it over time and chances are you will have adventurers that are merry but "into it" at the same time.

PS: the "Quick Reply" feature is kind of neato!

[Vin Ahrr Vin]

verdius said:

I lost my link to this forum and have been out to pasture for a while, till i couldn't stand it and searched thru about 30 pages of Trollwalla to get it again. Now that's dedication, you gotta admit

Verdius, I "Exalt" you for your efforts. I once tried to read the Trollwalla from Oldest to present and gave up after an hour or so. Some neat stuff, but it doesn't give a number of pages or a date or any sort of marker.

I notice that Boozer's "Hobgoblen Tavern" (an amazing site, by the way) made the Trollhalla, as did the "Mystic Visions" message board, but sadly the TrollBridge is relegated to second status there.

Ah, well. It's hard to break into an "old boys" network, and I am still a T&T newbie.

[mahrundl]

Vin,

I've been meaning to ask Khayd'haik if a link to your board can be put up there. I don't see why it should be a problem. It would be better coming from you, as the board administrator, but if you want me to do it, I will.

Mahrundl

[Vin Ahrr Vin]

Well, I'm new enough to Trollhalla that I wasn't sure even who to ask. (I just assumed it would be Khenn.)

Yes, I'd like a link in Trollhalla if it's okay, but I'm not sure how many are interested. (At this point we still only have 11 members!)

[keltset]

admin said:

Boozer's "Hobgoblen Tavern" (an amazing site, by the way).

Yea, there are some well-made modules there. I can't wait for Halloween so I can try some of those out on my group.

[mahrundl]

Don't forget that in addition to the freely available stuff, Boozer has 2 modules for sale on his site. They are pretty inexpensive for what they are too. Support the active T&T community and help keep it active!

By the way, I get nothing out of mentioning Boozer's modules; I'm not affiliated with his site in any way. But the more interest there is, the more incentive for him to write more. And besides, he's a good bloke...

Mahrundl

[Boozer]

Hi all - I've been away from my Trollcave for a few days and have just picked-up on the new messages here.
First of all, thanks to all for the kind words on my T&T site. I'm glad y'all like it!
Secondly, I second the motion for a link to this excellent forum on the Trollhalla menu. I don't think I will have the time to keep active on both sites, although I have registered on the other one. Both are excellent, but I will probably stay with this one as it was the first I joined.
Thirdly, thanks to Mahrundl for his kind words and the plug for my T&T modules. I hope to add another solo to the collection very soon...

[Ahnn Uuh]

admin said:

Yes, I'd like a link in Trollhalla if it's okay, but I'm not sure how many are interested. (At this point we still only have 11 members!)

That might change if others discovered the TrollBridge.

[Boozer]

Yes, I think we should try and publicise the Trollbridge over at Trollhalla. Ahnn Uuh, are you a member of the 'Trollish Elite'?

[Ahnn Uuh]

(blushing) Uh, no, I'm not. Just a member of the bourgeoisie, I'm afraid. I've got a link saved somewhere that would take me there, but I haven't yet found the time to check it out. These days I seem lucky to manage to check in on this board.

[Boozer]

Tell you what Ahnn Uuh, join-up and consider yourself Exalted by me... ;D (Tell Ken that Boozer sent you