My IRL friend group I dm’d drifted apart recently cause of life stuff and I’ve been wanting to get a new group going. I’m so unsure about online recruiting though. I just don’t trust that I’ll get anyone I want to play with.
Got some tips for you
0 - Don’t expect to get an awesome group on the first try, may take a while as you gather up people you want to play with.
1 - Look for communities, especially if they run shorter or west marches style games. Not necessarily join with the intent to run games, but play. Get to know folks and then extend invites to them for game.
2 - Run a few shorter games of limited length. 3-5 session long I find to be awesome to get something done. Some may be awful but you only have to stand them for a few games.
3 - Questionnaire where you discreetly bring up your red flags and feel the waters around them. For example I always mention that safety tools will be used and if they want a specific tool used I’ll happily do that for them. If I get replies they don’t need safety tools or disparage them in some way that would for me be a red flag.
4 - Don’t be afraid to disband groups or kick out folks. It is not a failure.
How do adults find a group? I haven’t played in 15 years (since I graduated from college). In theory I’m willing to DM, but I never have before so I’m afraid that I’d be terrible. I’m not sure I’m willing to risk embarrassing myself like that in front of people I don’t know.
A guy I know says he does free-form roleplaying with ChatGPT but that seems kind of sad - I’m not ready to give up on having a human connection.
Step 1: Learn to DM Step 2: Ask literally every person you meet to play
After 5-10 years you’ll have 2 people with waning interest and little time to play at a table.
And they’re both flakier than croissants.
Bonus points if they’re French.
Fewer bonus points if they’re French-Canadian.
Hey, they’re not flaky, they’re just on their mandated break. And then on strike.
