Which table concerns do you consider the most significant?

[Wolfpack48]

This is the fourth in a series of polls gauging the overall temperature of the community and how well they are enjoying the games they play. Thanks for all the great responses and discussion so far!

This fourth question drills down and expands on some of the previous feedback on how happy folks are with their current tables. The great news is that most folks are really happy with their groups, and that is wonderful to hear. There was some additional feedback on some of the issues folks were experiencing as well, so like the system drilldown, let's take a look at the issues you consider the biggest problems at the gaming table. The poll is anonymous and generic, so don't worry about what other folks think. There is no to need elaborate any further in the comments unless you want to.

This question is a little different from the last long poll list in that there is a limit of 10 choices (I kinda wish I had done that for the previous one too, but oh well). This way, you can be sure to zero in on the items you think are the biggest threat to a happy table. I realize a lot of tables are happy, so even though these 10 may seem minor to you, you might feel you still need to address them to keep things copacetic.

Clarification 1: If you have problems with multiple tables that are fairly alike, you can list them together here. However, if you find the issues with different tables to be substantially different, prioritize the one where you have the most complaints or the one you would like most to improve, whichever best suits your situation.

Clarification 2: This question is about problems you personally have at the gaming table, not what your l your overall group thinks. Again, the poll is anonymous.

If you have a more complicated take or additional criticisms you want to elaborate on, feel free to comment below!

 

[Reynard]

I picked personalities and playstyles as the only major concerns. If you can line those up, everything else can be worked out.

 

[billd91]

I picked personalities and playstyles as the only major concerns. If you can line those up, everything else can be worked out.

Those are pretty much my top two as well - followed by scheduling issues and real life intrusions.

 

[Reynard]

Those are pretty much my top two as well - followed by scheduling issues and real life intrusions.

For scheduling I have found that with adults, the easiest thing to do is pick a consistent day, time and location and just stick to it. Nothing fails as hard as "when are we playing next?" Yes, you lose Fred if he can't make Wednesdays and that is the best day for everyone else, but them's the breaks, Fred.

Real life intrusions aren't worth worrying about. They are inevitable and take precedence. You just have to roll with them.

 

[billd91]

For scheduling I have found that with adults, the easiest thing to do is pick a consistent day, time and location and just stick to it. Nothing fails as hard as "when are we playing next?" Yes, you lose Fred if he can't make Wednesdays and that is the best day for everyone else, but them's the breaks, Fred.

Yep, treating it like its bowling league night and everyone just makes some time for it has worked for us most of the time.

Real life intrusions aren't worth worrying about. They are inevitable and take precedence. You just have to roll with them.

Worry, no. They're just disappointing because they can have a real impact on getting together. And, you may infer that I treat all of the other issues on the list that I didn't mark (about combat/narrative/agency/etc) that so often drive bitter message board arguments as being very small potatoes in comparison.

 

[Wolfpack48]

I added one more than I totally meant to include -- distractions at the table (cell phones, etc).

 

[Lanefan]

I added one more than I totally meant to include -- distractions at the table (cell phones, etc).

And before the days of cell phones, it was paperback books.

 

[Wolfpack48]

And our theme song!

 

[James Gasik]

Picking only ten was harder than it really should have been.

 

[schneeland]

Conflicts in player personalities, play styles and real-life intrusions would be my top three, too.
I have also picked "Other" since I was not sure where to put GM burnout.
And finally, I have picked disinterest in the system. It's less of a problem these days, but it has been in a number of groups when I was younger.