What’s better than breaking out a board game, rolling up some characters, or snatching up some controllers with your closest friends? Okay, maybe a lot of things, but in terms of gaming and having fun, nothing! However, those of us with established groups can often take that reality for granted, so what’s an isolated gamer to do to help plant the gaming seed and make that community grow? Join us this week as we tackle listener @AllenStucker’s question and offer an insiders-looking-out perspective on how to help a fledgling gaming community grow. Make nice-nice with the locals, gather up your games, and put on your extrovert pants as we talk gaming communities on a whole new episode of Monkey in the Cage!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:03 — 29.8MB)
(02:14) – Strategicon: Gateway 2012 happened in L.A this weekend and we talk about Soap Opera LARPs, both new and old.
(05:34) – Robert and Matt educate Karen and Ramses on the experience and expectations of tabletop RPGs “convention style” and we discuss the guys “sharing a room” at the Con. – Hero System, GURPS, and Savage Worlds
(10:25) – Matt and Robert have completely different experiences playing a Hero System fantasy game ran by JiB from Happy Jack’s RPG Podcast.
(12:35) – When he wasn’t immersed in tabletop RPGs, Robert got his board game on! – Mage Knight, Descent 2nd Edition, and 7 Wonders
(15:27) – Matt apparently has a Con hangover as he attempts to discuss the great time he had as well. – @LadyAdeena’s Skyrim Wild Talents game and he gets his ass kicked at Cock and Bull by 10 year olds.
(21:20) – Ramses avoided a potential case of Nerd Flu and stayed entertained at home. He also didn’t have to share a bed with Matt and/or Robert. – Square Enix’s Chaos Rings, Clash of the Titans, Wrath of the Titans, and Ghost of Sparta. Plus, drunken Bigfoot fail!
(26:43) – Karen makes us all feel old, but still young at heart! – Final Fantasy and Street Fighter turn 25, WonderCon 2013, the God of War Movie, and Being Elmo.
(38:43) – We give thanks to the MITC Street team – Jared the Intern, Kevin Smith, and Rob Backstrom. Thanks guys!
(40:50) – It’s topic time! We discuss some of the first steps to establishing/growing a gaming community. – Gaming groups, conventions, stepping out of the comfort zone, and internet dating? Plus, Robert’s worst nightmare.
(46:00) – Robert branches the discussion from groups to a real community. Location, marketing, and the gaming “gateway” drug. Plus, Stranger Danger goes both ways.
(51:30) – Once the community is established, how do you keep it fresh for the more casual gamers and how do you keep the vested players engaged? – Stepping up to the GMing challenge and making the commitment.
(58:05) – Robert presents a questionable approach and the internet is your friend! – Obsidian Portal
Special thanks from Robert and Matt to the entire Happy Jacks RPG family for running great games and allowing the guys to put their two cents in on your podcast!
Closing Song – I’m Elmo and I Know it
Thanks guys! Although by promoting the website I also get to promote my contributions ;P. I think a printable flyer would be a great idea.
One other thing, if you like Documentaries you should really check out the film festival I go to every year in Columbia, MO. It’s called the True/False Film Festival (http://truefalse.org/). As far as I’m concerned it is *the* documentary film festival to attend. I’ll likely write up something for the site highlighting the fest sometime in the future. It’s in March!
Thanks Kevin! Documentaries are super high on my viewing list in general. That festival sounds awesome.
Also, I think Ramses has been working on a fan/contributor ranking system that you are currently promoting through at record speed!
That would be great if you cover the True/False Film Festival for the site! You are the Contributor King, my friend!
And I will get working on that flyer. =)
**By the way, I am unconvinced that the cuddling was fictional.
I know you all want to travel to the heart of Missouri for a film festival right? This year marks T/F’s tenth anniversary… er I guess next year does because it will be next march. It’s a really cool festival, I met and had an hour long conversation with Josh Fox (of Gasland fame) two festivals ago #NameDropper.
I’m going to work hard to see if I can influence the film selection folk into picking up that Dungeons and Dragons documentary I wrote about. Of course that would have to be not this coming festival but the one after that probably.
First time listener, great site and great show!!
Yes! You get that doc in the festival! If anyone has the hustle to get it done it’s you, Kevin! =)
Hi, there GM! Thanks for listening and thanks for stopping by!! Hope to hear more from you in the future. We’re here every weekday and new shows every Tuesday. =)
Yes this all sounds awesome! Thanks Kevin you are now climbing the ranks of the Monkey Army! And hello to you fine sir GM lets us know if you are going to need you parking pass validated for stopping by. You sir are awesome! Yay for typing kinda ok!