"What Makes a Good Game Host?" Topic

What are the top qualities of a successful game host?

(A "game host" being defined as someone who invites other players to a location to play a game he has organized.)

I will let you know tomorrow.
I have a customer coming to my flat to play FUBAR.

Someone who puts on a good and well tested game that appeals to the players he's invited.

- A good instict for setting up excellent scenarios.

- Excellent diplomatic qualities as (pl)umpire.

- Make sure every player has an excellent time during the game, and leaves the evening in good spirits.

- Congratulate players on good tactical decisions during the game.

- Must be in the possession of a fridge filled with excellent beers.

Can't add much to what Phil said.

Perhaps also someone who helps out new or inexperienced players with some coaching or advice during a game.

Same with any other host: make sure all your guests are made comfortable and integrated into the group/event. Everything else – even a bad game – will sort itself out with a good facilitator.

- A good instict for setting up excellent scenarios.

- Excellent diplomatic qualities as (pl)umpire.

- Make sure every player has an excellent time during the game, and leaves the evening in good spirits.

- Congratulate players on good tactical decisions during the game.

- Must be in the possession of a fridge filled with excellent beers.

Could not have said it better, let me know if you're ever in Minneapolis/St. Paul and we've the group for you.

In my experience, just being a game host makes them pretty great. Not all of us have the ability to ask 3-8 guys over to our house for a game, so anyone willing to do that is tops in my book.

That's why I always bring extra snacks and beer…something to leave behind as a "thanks".

Or is that not what we're looking for?

strippers

Willing to bend the rules for the sake of fun. My group has a rule. "If you come up with a special action that sounds reasonable(Like blind shooting around a corner), you can do it at the cost of two actions so long as we all agree. It will be worked out and added to the list of possible actions after the game."

Much better than trying to make everyone adhere 100% all the time to all the rules.

It's got to be somebody who can put on a fun game where both sides feel they have a good chance of winning and the game game goes to the wire before you get a resolution. And you know when you've done it right because the next time you organise a game you have no problems getting player for the next one.

Know all the rules.

Run the scenario through yourself to make sure all the objectives are achievable within the time allotted.

Provide charts and QRS, enough dice and tape measures.

Beer and choice of non-alcoholic beverages.

Conducive environment – send the kids and cats to the in-laws, or in the other room.

Set aside time for after-game review and general chat.

Food and drink.

Painted figures

A good table setup.

A well-stocked bar in the corner of the game room.

We have the best, his wife gets involved and prepares a full meal which at times is in tune with the era we are gaming. She'll come downstairs to see if anyone needs anything several times during the game. He runs a smooth running game which includes beautiful figures and terrain.

Have everything set up before the guests arrive.

I'm with Pedrobear on this one.

Prepared to run the game. If there is no "let me go get this" or "let me check on that", the rest of the social aspects of the game will fall into place. That doesn't mean the host has to have every obscure rule memorized and every player action contingency planned, but they should be ready to handle those without disrupting play (by fiat, if necessary – "That's possible, but in the interests of game play for this scenario, here, today, it ain't gonna happen.".).

The Defence Academy …

Their club hosted our recent Megablitz 'Krisis at Kharkov' game. Krisis at Kharkov on P.B.Eye-Candy …

There are real tanks outside the wargames room.

(The Soviet players 'team' photo)

That's how to host a wargame!

Phil

Plentiful meat products on hand.

DM