Extra Crispy | 28 May 2014 5:16 p.m. PST |
So a GM is putting on a game. He's providing everything, troops, rules, and snacks. All you have to do is show up and play. It is a historical period, not fantasy / SciFi. Why say no? I mean, maybe you were in Nam so won't play that, or Iraq. But the War of Spanish Succession? For me, if you run it I'll play it. And happily too. Just don't expect to me to rush out and start buying figs. I hear so many gamers who complain they don't get enough games in, and then they turn their noses up at one. Is it just me? |
John the OFM | 28 May 2014 5:22 p.m. PST |
Is it just me? Well, it includes me too! Heck, if a good friend was doing the War of the Chaotic Succession in 40K, I would show up. There is precious little I would not game. Like you said, don't expect me to rush out and buy figures for it. I didn't ask you to buy Lee's Legion or the Volunteers of Ireland, or the 71st Highlanders, did I? I have them covered. |
little o | 28 May 2014 5:31 p.m. PST |
Here's a few reasons; they might or might not apply. 1. It's not a period I'm interested in- there are a few. I don't have much interest in ancient warfare or anything more recent than Vietnam. 2. Maybe another gamer has already confirmed that I don't want to game with. I have limited time on planet earth, and limited free time. I try to avoid spending that time with people who constantly annoy me. As a younger guy it was all about the game. As an older guy now, it's all about hanging out with people I like. That's not meant to sound exclusive or elitist- my real job is super stressful, I don't need a stressful hobby. Mike D |
Garand | 28 May 2014 5:32 p.m. PST |
There are plenty of reasons to say no. Maybe the person has an abrasive personality for you? Damon. |
Dave Crowell | 28 May 2014 5:36 p.m. PST |
There are a few game subjects that I really have no interest in playing, collecting or even reading about. But if you called me up and said "Hey, Dave, I got the game set up, wanna play?" I would say yes. I would say no if I didn't like my prospective opponent much more readily than I would say no because I didn't like period. |
Sondergaard | 28 May 2014 5:37 p.m. PST |
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AmongLions | 28 May 2014 5:47 p.m. PST |
I have backed out of several games over the years. Mostly, as people have said, because of the other people playing. There were a few guys at my old club that I just couldn't stand to game with. |
Ivan DBA | 28 May 2014 6:01 p.m. PST |
In theory, there are few games I wouldn't be glad to play, if I had the time, and someone else was providing the figs, set-up, etc. I might well turn down most Ancients Naval games I've seen though, they all seem to move at glacial speed. As a practical matter, I have to schedule my gaming time well in advance, and it is very limited, so I almost always end up playing games that I have figures for and particularly like. |
Bandolier | 28 May 2014 6:10 p.m. PST |
Most of the time it's just the Real World getting in the way. Not really a personality or "can't be bothered" thing. I put on games the way you describe and provide everything. Sometimes just 1 person shows, sometimes 7 turn up. I've had to decline invites for games I want to attend because of family stuff taking priority. |
Ron W DuBray | 28 May 2014 6:52 p.m. PST |
War of Spanish Succession that would be sorry no interest in that war or time for me. add in any wars from that time to 1900 and I would pass on the game. I have read a lot of the history but have no interest in gaming it. Gaming that time zone of wars is just boring and mostly very abstract to me. |
vtsaogames | 28 May 2014 6:58 p.m. PST |
If it is a historical game that takes place before 1965 I'll play, unless someone who is a real drag is involved. |
79thPA | 28 May 2014 8:04 p.m. PST |
Some rules of I have no interest in playing and some people I have no interest in gaming with. Other than that, it is usually life getting in the way. |
Shagnasty | 28 May 2014 8:29 p.m. PST |
For me it is often the set of rules being played. There are some great guys who put on very attractive games but I pass on the system, as some of them do for games I organize. |
AussieAndy | 28 May 2014 8:48 p.m. PST |
As I get older, I am less interested in gaming periods in which I have no interest or using rules that I don't like. The time factor also comes into it. Is it worth the round trip and time spent gaming? My willingness to participate in gaming periods that don't interest me is also influenced by the willingness of those putting on the games to participate in the things that I want to do. A lack of reciprocity wears thin in time. |
Ancestral Hamster | 28 May 2014 10:45 p.m. PST |
1st reason. Personality. This is for recreation. I don't want to get stressed out or angry because of some Sore Winner. [The type of guy who isn't satisfied with just winning, he has to humiliate you. If he can't do so, he accuses you of cheating since he should be able to walk all over you.] 2nd reason. A game system that I dislike. I have played Squad Leader before, and I'm so-so about it. There is no way I'm going to try Advanced Squad Leader as it turns up the minutiae up to 11. Similarly, I've dropped some games I used to play since I no longer want to deal with petty and time-consuming details. 3rd reason. Life. Although in that case I'll usually explain why and see about arranging something for a later date if I am interested. |
Martin Rapier | 28 May 2014 11:15 p.m. PST |
Subject matter, other people, time involved, rules used, whatever. Lots of reasons not to play, it is a hobby not a job and I'd rather invest my precious time in things I enjoy. |
advocate | 29 May 2014 2:19 a.m. PST |
My default answer is to play the game; but the Ancestral Hamster gives the reasons why I might decline. |
Pete Melvin | 29 May 2014 3:31 a.m. PST |
Here's a few reasons; they might or might not apply. 1. It's not a period I'm interested in- there are a few. I don't have much interest in ancient warfare or anything more recent than Vietnam. 2. Maybe another gamer has already confirmed that I don't want to game with. I have limited time on planet earth, and limited free time. I try to avoid spending that time with people who constantly annoy me. As a younger guy it was all about the game. As an older guy now, it's all about hanging out with people I like. That's not meant to sound exclusive or elitist- my real job is super stressful, I don't need a stressful hobby. Mike D
This. A thousand times this. 1. I have no interest in ACW or Naps. Theyre just two periods that dont interest me. I can see why others WOULD be interested, its just not for me. Also anything involving Scottish history. Had that rammed down my thorat all day every day as a kid growing up in rural Aberdeenshire and it killed any possible love I could have had for it. 2. There is one person at my club that I will simply never play with. They have an abraisive personality and I'm short on patience. |
Cuchulainn | 29 May 2014 4:13 a.m. PST |
For me it comes down to the period and the rules. Fortunately all the lads in my club are "the right stuff", and it's always a pleasure to play with any of them. Anything before 1900 and after Vietnam is just not for me, although good luck to all who do enjoy periods outside these dates. Rules are also a big factor, I find the older I get, the simplier I want the rules to be. There's a very popular set of rules out at the moment, all nicely presented, loads of cool pics etc. but they just look awfully boring and complex to me. This is a problem as the rest of the club think they're brilliant, but they look like a grand cure for insomnia to me. So any game using them is an automatic pass from me. |
zippyfusenet | 29 May 2014 4:35 a.m. PST |
Opportunity cost. I have lots of hobby interests, little leisure time to pursue them. If your game doesn't interest me, then I'd rather prime figures or read a book – I may not get another chance for several days or weeks. I might give your game some extra value as a social event, but only so much. |
Dynaman8789 | 29 May 2014 5:05 a.m. PST |
Others mentioned at least 2 of these, maybe all 3. These are not just hypothetical answers since I have passed on games for all 3 of these reasons in the last year. 1 – Someone will be there I can't stand. 2 – The rules suck. 3 – No interest in subject. |
OSchmidt | 29 May 2014 8:18 a.m. PST |
Because most War Gamers are at bottom anti-social. They want other people to entertain them and do everything for them and they don't want to be sociable to get it. They think they're "diamonds in the rough" -- undiscovered military genius' and that's what they want out of the hobby, not companionship, camaraderie, and fellowship, but self reinforcement of their own fantasies. They're mostly tin-plate Hitlers. They don't want people around who may disagree with them, oppose them, do things they don't like and they don't want to accept these differences, or realize they may be as reprehensible, and they CERTAINLY won't extend themselves to try something new or that they don't care for, for the sake of camaraderie or friendship. They don't want friends, they want opponents, they really don't want to Play, they want to be the center of everything- the bride at every wedding, the corpse at every funeral. I learned a long time ago you have to accept people as they are, and appreciate the good points and ignore the bad points. If you want to simply cross people off your list because you don't like this and that-- fine. Soon you'll have no list at all. |
21eRegt | 29 May 2014 8:31 a.m. PST |
I've always paraphrased "Field of Dreams" by saying, "If you plan it, I will play." However, there are two historic game systems of some popularity that I tried and found distasteful. So rather than make myself miserable biding my tongue, or them miserable listening to me carp about the irrational aspects of it, I just stay away. Or sometimes attend to socialize but don't involve myself in the game. Mature game groups will respect that. +1 Ancestral Hamster OSchmidt – I'm glad we run in different circles. Happily your description is totally different than the people I game with. |
Dynaman8789 | 29 May 2014 8:45 a.m. PST |
Nothing wrong with being anti-social, the personnel department of any major company has a lot to learn from us
(Yes I am anti-social and happy to be so) Gaming is (supposed to be) a leisure activity, why anyone would feel obliged to spend their leisure time with people they do not like or doing something they do not like for the sake of having something to do is beyond my comprehension. That is what work is for. |
Space Monkey | 29 May 2014 10:57 a.m. PST |
The only reason I'd say 'no' is if someone was going to be there that I just could not stand
which is not likely
so I'd be there. |
Stosstruppen | 29 May 2014 12:24 p.m. PST |
I will for the most part play anything. I do draw the line at FoW, but that's personal preference. |
Rudi the german | 29 May 2014 1:41 p.m. PST |
I promised myself that i dont want to play anymore $#^¥+ ! I have not said NO to enough games in the last years
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Meiczyslaw | 29 May 2014 7:25 p.m. PST |
Most of my usual reasons are covered: 1. Don't like one of the other gamers. It's less of a problem these days, as my group has shaken the bad apples out. 2. Don't like the rules. 3. Already have commitments. Don't marry into an Italian family, fellas. |
Skeptic | 29 May 2014 9:46 p.m. PST |
The weather is too nice to be inside, and I could make better use of the weather either to maintain the home or play sports. |
COL Scott ret | 29 May 2014 11:22 p.m. PST |
Real life seems to intervene ALL the time. Pity really |
Martin Rapier | 30 May 2014 3:17 a.m. PST |
This discussion neatly parallels an identical one I am having on a re-enactment forum about why people don't turn up at events. |
Dynaman8789 | 30 May 2014 5:11 a.m. PST |
> The weather is too nice to be inside One joke my gamer friends and I share is that if the weather is nice then open a window! |
Weasel | 03 Jun 2014 3:09 p.m. PST |
If a friend put on the game, and I like the guy, I'll play pretty much anything that isn't a concentration camp simulation or something. |
TelesticWarrior | 04 Jun 2014 2:36 a.m. PST |
Don't forget laziness. Some people are just plain lazy. They won't join in a game if, you know, they have to do any thinking or put any real effort in. |
IUsedToBeSomeone | 07 Jun 2014 1:09 p.m. PST |
I will play most things 4-5 times before deciding that I'm not interested. I played 5 games of FOG ancients and 4 of FOG:R before deciding the system isn't something I enjoy playing – I find the games boring. This is a shame as the club has put on a couple of big Saturday games recently but they have been FOG games so I've not played.. And FOG:N has become the default napoleonic set
There are others in the club with the same feeling about the WAB dark ages games I've run, so each to their own
Mike |