Not long ago my husband and I spent some time blogging about gaming with significant others. Then after we spent some time talking about it in our podcast I decided to write a blog from the other end of the spectrum; Gaming with Insignificant others.
Now, I’m not really speaking of people who hold no significance, as in worthless humans. On the contrary I am speaking about gaming with people who you just don’t know and more specifically in a one time gaming event.
Granted being new to gaming I haven’t had much experience with this but during the release of D&D 4e we went to the friendly local game store to spend some time playing and learning the new system. There were so many people there who we didn’t know and vise versa.
It really was a different feel to play with people who I knew I would probably never see again. I found myself coming out of my shell a little faster and be a little more willing to take chances. While I can do that now within my gaming group it took me quite a bit longer to become super comfortable.
For me personally, I think, playing with strangers allows us to let our hair down and take chances that we normally wouldn’t. What about you? Have you had any experiences gaming with Insignificant others? Was it easier or harder than playing with a significant other?
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November 17, 2008 at 11:07 am
Bonemaster
Playing with strangers or IOs, is rather interesting situation. I think I’ve meet some of the strangest and oddest people while doing so. That’s not to say that they were bad people, just plain odd. And that’s a hard to thing to say when you deal with RPGers in general. After all we are all a bit strange.
Still, it is nice to play with people that you don’t know. Everyone brings to the table the style of play they are use to having. It makes for a interesting mix. Depending on the individual, it is either going to be fun or horribly bad. I know I’ve had both cases at conventions. As a rule, never play with anyone stranger than you are. I’m kidding of course, as long as they are not twice as strange as you, I think you are ok.
You right people tend to do things in an IO situation. Just re-read your Sociology textbooks form college.
In general, getting yourself in an IO situation every once in a while is a good thing. Find different ways of playing, not to mention rule interpretations . You may even find people that will eventually not be IOs.