With Gencon coming up there have been quite a few articles lately about what it means to be a good player, and while I enjoy reading them and (for the most part) agree with them all I do find that they tend to focus on the convention experience. My own gaming groups have had similar discussions about this and I wanted to share some points from those:

1. Be on time

This is really a no brainer, if the game starts at X o’clock then be there, ready to play, at X o’clock.

Now this goes a little further than just show up and play, games are meant to be a social situation, we play with our friends because we like to play with our friends. What tends to happen a lot though is that people show up at the scheduled game start time and start treating it like it’s social time for the next hour which can be a big problem if you only have a limited amount of time to play. My weekly group has solved this by telling everyone to show up by 6, we talk, eat dinner together, get it all out of our system and then play from 8 until 11, this allows us, as a group, to get all the “hey did you hear about this” kind of stuff out of our system and then focus on the game.

So if you find that a lot of game time gets eaten up by useless chatter maybe speak to your GM or group  and suggest that meeting earlier to get it out of your system might be easier.

2. Be realistic and be fair about your time

Let me ask you something, can you commit to something once a week? a class, going to the gym, meeting the guys for a drink or bowling? Would you blow any of those off because you didn’t feel like it? I’ve spoken to many gamers and while they are always enthusiastic about playing in a game, they can (and very often do) vary greatly on their level of commitment.

If you are lucky enough to be part of a group that meets regularly (weekly, bi monthly, or whatever) you’ve probably had the discussion of setting a common day to meet, a weeknight or one day on the weekend. The day can change but for the purposes of the game it happens on that day.

The problem I continually meet with (as a GM, player, game organizer) is that people don’t treat this commitment as, well… a commitment. I’ve heard the excuses and to be fair, most people over the age of 18 have jobs, family, etc. but committing to a game is the same as committing to anything. If you can’t commit the time then don’t hold back the others in the group with schedule changes or lateness.

Sometimes not playing in a game is the best solution for everyone and approaching it responsibly can help you secure any open player spots in the future.

3. Be prepared

I was a scout for many years and the one lesson I can honestly say I took out of it was be prepared. This doesn’t mean just having the materials required for the game but also knowing what is expected of you, both as a player and as a character.

One of the most frustrating things that can happen in a game is having to stop the flow of the narrative so that the GM can explain to a player (or you) how a power/spell/rule works, this is fine when a campaign is starting out and everyone has new characters, but after a few months everyone should have a working knowledge of their characters and what they can do.  If the GM has to interrupt things to ask a player what bonus or skill level they have that player should be able to either tell them right away or find it quickly and allow the narrative to continue.

If you come to a game make sure you have what you need, both material and informational.

4. Don’t steal focus

No matter what some people may say about role playing one thing remains the same, it’s a collaborative story. One person tells the story, other people participate in it. Like other storytelling mediums there is something called focus, wherein the audience is concentrating on a particular scene or character in order to follow the story. Now i’m sure most of you have had the experience of some idiot talking during a movie, have you told them to shut up? I know I have. So why would we tolerate it during a game?

I’ve run and played in numerous games where the people not involved in what is going on just start chatting or talking loudly, sometimes over the narrative that is going on, we’re all guilty of it. I’ve told players to shut up and been told to shut up as well and luckily the groups I play in all understand that it’s never meant in anger only in the best interest of the story.

Games are meant to be a social event but if you are there to play then play. don’t force others at the table to pay more attention to you then the GM, especially when it doesn’t relate to anything happening in the game. Managing a role playing group can be hard and it’s important that everyone have time to play their character so that everyone can have fun. Don’t draw out your turns trying to find the absolute best thing your character can do, try to plan ahead and be ready to play when focus comes to you and then let it move onto someone else.

5. Pay Attention

By this point I really have to ask if this point is necessary? It’s assumed that if you are coming to a game you are coming to game, nothing else, and yet I have  witnessed people playing on their phones, watching movies (or YouTube) on iPads and even playing online games while playing.

We live in a digital age, there’s no escaping the use of smart phones and tablets (some people need to have their phones nearby because of work or emergencies), a lot of good gamers have even tried incorporating them into games, but there is never an excuse to ignore the action by watching a movie (even if you have headphones, which i’ve known people to not even bother with).

I use my iPad a lot while gaming, I keep notes, rulebooks and such on there and generally when a rules question comes up, if i’m not the focus of the action, I will try to look something up quickly. I have been guilty of going on Facebook but the difference is that whenever my turn comes up I am ready to go and I actively know what’s going on. Some GM’s ban tablets and smartphones at the table and that is a viable solution, it all depends on what works for your group.

6. Accept that Bad Things Happen

One of my most hated terms in gaming came from golf, the mulligan, basically taking an action back because of a less then favorable outcome. As a GM this basically invalidates the idea of role playing to me, allowing people to change their choices because it might turn out bad for them means that the story isn’t as important as the players winning. A good GM can turn failure into something amazing story wise, even character death, but letting the players completely dictate the action can sometimes be counterproductive.

I’ve seen players go off the handle because something bad happens to their character just as i’ve seen GM’s be vindictive and try to kill characters, it’s not a perfect world. In an ideal game the GM tells a fair story and most of the time the dice decide the action, a lot of games even have systems built in that allow the players to modify or downright change what happened (at a cost) such as plot points, drama points, sacrificing xp and so on.

One of my earliest role playing memories was watching one of the older players literally sweep the table because he was angry at what happened and that stuck with me, that was one of the worst moments i’ve experienced in this hobby but it taught me one of the best lessons, sometimes things don’t go as we hoped and it’s best to let it go and start over. So accept that sometimes things will not go your way, sometimes characters will die and the villain may win. Think back to some of your favorite stories (I’m going to mention a dwarf named Flint here, those that get this will know what I mean) and the impact a characters death can have.

So accept that bad things can happen and move on, after all it’s only a game.

7. Respect People’s Space and Belongings

It can be hard having a good space to play, a space where everyone has the room they need for everything so it is important that everyone respect each other’s space. The space at a table is finite and you should respect a person’s right to have enough space to play.

Role player’s are a curious breed, they can have many superstitions around the table and they can get pretty protective about their stuff. Some player’s won’t even allow another player to touch their dice for fear that they won’t work the same afterwards, but if you have a player who throws his bag down, a stack of book, papers, dice, a drink and whatever else and takes up a third to half of the available space then it goes past player quirks and becomes a real issue.

Players need space, we all do and hogging table real estate because you want access to your books or bag is just ridiculous. In the old days we used to play in the library (at least I did) and we had huge tables to use, if you’re lucky enough to have something comparable in size then great but most people use a standard dining room table. So please respect everyone’s right to having a fair sized play area.

Also, and this is basic common sense, if something doesn’t belong to you either ask permission before you touch it or just don’t. If you don’t like people touching your stuff randomly then don’t do it to others at the table.

8. Hygiene

Ok, no one likes to think about this but it has to be said, hygiene is important. I’m not going to belabour this but just remember, wash up and use deodorant.

9. The GM has the Last Word

In any game there is always someone in charge, in baseball there is the umpire, in hockey there is the referee, in role playing there is the GM. We acknowledge that the GM is in charge, that they are the one telling the story, and we give them our cooperation in telling that story.

It’s long been understood that the game functions within a framework of rules that the GM uses to determine how certain actions happen and if a rule is unclear or cannot be found then the GM makes a ruling. And yet I see players argue these rulings all the time, either because it negatively affects them or the party or because they feel that they know better. Sometimes this works and there are tons of GM’s who use these players to help them speed things up or make things run smoother, but sometimes there are players who just feel the need to argue against a ruling because they feel it is somehow unfair.

Regardless of things we have to remember, and respect that the GM has final say in these matters, usually because they have an understanding of events that we as players don’t. Working with your GM to make things fair is great and can help with the feeling of collaboration in any game but arguing never solves anything and usually holds up things for everyone.

10. We’re there to have fun

Games are fun, if they weren’t they wouldn’t be called games. We play them to enjoy ourselves and have fun with our friends and escape into fantasies. Like any game though it can get competitive and while we like to think of ourselves as friendly people, things can turn competitive very quickly.

So what can I say about this? Not much really, human nature is human nature and the best we can hope for is to find a group of people that we get along with and share the same sensibilities in regards to role playing, if not maybe move on and find another group with the knowledge that it’s nothing personal.

We’re all there to have fun so just remember, in the words of the inestimable Wil Wheaton: Don’t be a dick

August 16th-19th is Gencon this year and we will be in attendance to check out all the great stuff for everyone, unfortunately this means that while we are gone the store will be closed. From Tuesday (August 14th) to the following Monday (August 20th) we will be closed but have no fear we will be back Tuesday the 21st with tales of gaming awesomeness.

While at Gencon we will be updating the site and our Facebook page with pictures, video and reviews of all the cool stuff we can get our hands on and will be doing our best to update you as much as we can!

So after some time we had some trouble with the site. After while of fighting with the host and themes, we have a temporary theme that will do for now.  Though not as awesome as our previous theme.

 We know that many of our customers are Munchkins at heart but for all those that are interested in the game here’s a chance to watch it played by the creator himself Steve Jackson! In addition you get Wil Wheaton, the ever popular Felicia Day and her Guild co-star Sandeep Parikh!

The Origins game fair has come and gone and with it have gone the annual Origins Awards.

So what is the Origins Awards you ask?

Well every year the Origins attending public gets a chance to vote on all the new and innovative products that have come out during the previous year and the winner receive the title of Origins Award Winner for that year, kind of an academy awards where the academy isn’t some stuffy old people but the people who actually play and enjoy the games that were nominated.

The winners generally enjoy boosted sales and can proudly display the win on their products. The awards have also become a mark for players to try out new products, trusting in their fellow gamers in an industry that rarely sees players stray to new and unknown products. So without further ado here is a list of this year’s winners!

If you are like most serious role players you have been following the news that Wizards of the Coast is currently working on the next iteration of the Dungeons & Dragons franchise (currently titled D&D Next) and whether you play D&D or not this is a big deal; Wizards of the Coast has eschewed the traditional development/internal playtest method in favor of allowing the public to help shape what will be the 5th edition of the longest running role playing game out there.

So what does this mean to you the average player? Well if you have a WotC account then you can play D&D Next right now and if you don’t then that’s ok because we have it covered. Chimera Games has been keeping up with the playtest and is pleased to announce that we will be running playtests in store that you can sign up for! To do so you have to come into the store and sign our sign up sheet so that we have your information and can place you in a suitable  game.

Chimera Games will be running test games through the month of June and the only thing you need to do is bring your own dice. Participation will be on a first come first served basis so come in and sign up soon!

- The Jadedpaladin

How often have you thought a game looked awesome and you really wanted to try it out but had no one to play it with? Has your own gaming group grown apart over the years and it’s just too difficult to get everyone together? Has real life prevented you from…well you get the idea.

This is a problem as you grow older (growing up is completely optional, don’t listen to what anyone tells you) but that’s what we are here for! Chimera Games is not just your FLGS (friendly local gaming store for those that haven’t seen the acronym) but we are a gaming center. Our tables are available any time when we are open and we are always looking for people to run or play in games.

So we present the question to our customers, if we gave you a space at a regular time would you want to come in and run a game? We will do everything we can to make it awesome for you, including terrain, maps, figures, music, etc… so why wouldn’t you take advantage of our stupidi…er… generosity?

Already from talking to people we have suggestions for the following games:

- Game of Thrones, a Song of Ice and Fire RPG (Yes, Game of THRONES!)

- Mutants & Masterminds (superheroes at their best)

- Marvel Super Heroics (co-designed by one of friends Philip Ménard!)

- Outbreak Undead (Zombie Survival Horror at its most frightening)

For those who are gaming curious and want to run a game we have copies of all the core books in our library that you can use in store (yes we have an in store library, bet you didn’t know that did ya?) and if you are a player seeking a game please come in and give us your info so we can notify/find you a game!

So what do you have to lose? Not much

What do you have to gain? Meeting some new people and being a part of an awesome gaming group.

Heck, we’ll even have some fun and throw in some prizes for the best games we see happen in store.

Contact us in store to fill in one of our contact sheets (your info will never be shared outside of finding you a game/players) and let’s start building some epic gaming history!

Greg the Jadedpaladin

MWP RPG’s are here! Check em’ out here.

We all love playing games (if not why are you here? Really? Well good for you!) and aside from fantasy and sci-fi generes there isn’t much in the modern age that you wouldn’t have to construct yourself, well Margaret Weis Productions to the rescue!

Using their Cortex system MW Productions has adapted some of the best TV shows out there into RPG’s, allowing you to play in some of your favorite settings. Have you ever wanted to be a part of Smallville? or how about the worlds of Supernatural? Leverage? or Marvel Heroics?

Each game is simple to learn and fun to play and the backgrounds of each take directly from their respective universes to give you a really fun roleplaying experience.

So it’s up to you, the role playing universe has expanded, what’re you going to do about it?

Just check out what MW Productions have to say about them:

The rich and powerful, they take what they want. You steal it back. You and your Crew used to be the bad guys, but there are worse people out there. The weak and the helpless need you. You provide… leverage.

Based on TNT’s hit show, The LEVERAGE Role Playing Game puts you in the middle of a dysfunctional but highly specialized group of con artists, criminals, and crooks who are trying to turn over a new leaf. You protect the victims of corporations, mobsters, and corrupt politicians by using your expert skills to outwit and overcome the real bad guys.

Using the award-winning Cortex System as its foundation, LEVERAGE: The Roleplaying Game includes all the rules you need to create a high-voltage team of rogues, plan the perfect job, and get it done… even if it means going to Plan B. This game requires a set of gaming dice available from any hobby or game store. Earbuds and really big HDTVs are cool, but not required.

Every hero has a beginning… The SMALLVILLE Roleplaying Game lets you experience all the superpowered action and coming-of-age drama of the hit show on the CW Network. Whether you’re struggling against your heritage, your humanity, or your heroic responsibility, you’ll need the support of friends and family in order to embrace your destiny. Players may choose to take on the role of Clark, Chloe, Lois, Oliver, or their own original characters in the world of SMALLVILLE.

Sorry to be the one to break this to you, but the truth hurts and there’s no use sugarcoating it. Ghosts are real. Demons too, along with those bumps in the night and maybe even the monster under your bed. The world’s a scary place. If you’re lucky the nasties that creep around in the dark won’t get hold of you.

‘Cept maybe you aren’t lucky. Maybe you’ve already lost something – or somebody – to the darkness. All the booze and therapy in the world can’t put your life back the way it was. And evil has a way of finding you again once it’s had a taste of blood.

So you decide to fight back. It’s not gonna be easy — as this kind of on-the-job training can get you dead. But you can stop being the hunted and become the hunter. There’s no fame or glory in it, and there sure as hell isn’t any money. But if you get the job done, you’ll save lives and send the bad guys screaming back to hell where they belong. If that sounds good, then you’ve got some work to do.

In the Supernatural Role Playing Game you and your friends play hunters from the world of the hit television series. Play characters from the show or use the Cortex System rules to create your own hunter. You’ll also find gory details on ghosts, demons, and other nasties for the Game Master to throw your way. All you need to start the hunt is this book, some friends, some dice, and some time to kill…

The Avengers have been disassembled, the Fantastic Four are somewhere in space, and the X-Men aren’t answering their phone. When dozens of dangerous villains are sprung from the maximum-maximum security prison known as the Raft, who’s going to stop them? You are.

The MARVEL HEROIC ROLEPLAYING Basic Game uses the acclaimed “Breakout” story arc from Brian Michael Bendis’ New Avengers to launch the MARVEL HEROIC ROLEPLAYING product line. The Operations Manual gives you all the rules you need to play, from gathering your heroes to taking on the likes of Carnage and Mister Hyde in a desperate free-for-all!

A new issue of Kobold Quarterly is available, check out our review section for more details!