Oh My Goodness, The Waiting!

The Friday Night Roleplay group is waiting. Our GM is busy prepping, keen to make sure that all is in place before the first session. We have only to wait for next available slot to play – it’s looking like three weeks time. So, we’re waiting.

Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

OMG.

Waiting.

Waiting Sucks

I never really appreciated this feeling before because, as a GM, I’ve been the one asking people to wait while I beaver away. From the perspective of a player, waiting sucks.

Several weeks ago, I handed over the reins of the Friday group. I was tired, getting frustrated with my inability to prep, and someone offered to GM. I nearly bit their hand off.

I was excited about the proposed campaign. We made characters the next session: mine’s a wizard. Since then, we’ve been waiting.

All the reasons for the wait make sense:

• The GM’s life is super-busy.
• The GM needs to prep.
• Only one or two other players have even been around on the sessions since.
• …and so on…

But, and this is said with total understanding of the reasons why… waiting sucks for players.

Waiting Still Sucks

Everyone is different. Each GM has their own needs and every player has their own expectations.

But, speaking as a player, waiting for a game sucks for me. It’s been so long, I’ve forgotten my character’s name – I’d need to look that up – and my initial enthusiasm for the campaign has ebbed.

What can I do to keep myself invested?

Wearing the GM hat, I have to admit that I made players wait too much. That must have really sucked. And that’s nothing compared to my long track record of not finishing a single “campaign” I’ve run in 10 years.

Thoughts On Not Waiting

Is it possible to just grab a group of players, sort out a game, and get  going quickly? Certainly, that’s true… but is it optimal?

What I mean is, should the GM pander to my impatience? As a GM, should I go off “half-cocked” to maintain my players interest?

I think the answer is “No”.

A campaign that stands any chance of being played to a conclusion needs careful and collaborative work with the players. You can’t afford to rush it. Our GM is doing just the right thing in getting prepped – it’s vital to feel ready and in a place of confidence as a GM.

BUT…

Does the group need to sit on its hands for two months? Surely not.

The problem is not in the GM; our problem is in the players: we’re waiting, not gaming.

We are reactive players. We are waiting for the GM to entertain us. We’ll turn up and essentially demand that he make us laugh.

We’re lazy, I’m complaining, and it’s not fair.

Three Suggestions For Waiting Players

While I certainly think I need to take some time to reflect on how I prep to GM in the future, I’ve got some thoughts on things I can do while we wait.

1. Volunteer to run something in the in-between sessions – a one-off scenario, a board game, anything. Play is always better than waiting.
2. Use the time to talk over goals for the characters and the party – make sure you’ve contributed to the coming story.
3. Learn the rules of the game. No, really: read them, internalize them, be ready to play.

Why make the GM feel guilty about the wait? Why not just run something fun and light while you wait? Maybe they’d even appreciate the fact that you’re keeping the gang together. Certainly, for some of us, we come to the session to roleplay… but, don’t we owe it to the GM to at least keep our group together while they get the game ready?

And, if we’re such committed roleplayers, why don’t we come armed with at least a short- and long-term goal, an idea for a cool ally, another suggestion for a cool enemy, and at least a vague idea of who our hero is?

Surely the very least we can do is bother to read the rules?

I dunno.

Waiting sucks.

But the least we can do is be constructive and supportive.