Welcoming the new player
There is nothing more scary than being the new guy at the table and while it’s been some time since I was that new guy I still remember the feeling of, “will I fit in?”
Unfortunately not everyone is a fit for every group, and it’s important to take the time for everyone to get to know each other and make sure everyone gets along. Most of the time this isn’t a huge issue as many that join a gaming group already know one or two others in the group from other settings (school, work, etc.) but this is only half the battle, what if they’re new to gaming in general?
A.L. over at Reality Refracted posted earlier today about Socializing A New Player and covered a number of things that will go a long way towards making the new player at home at the table.
While all of the items coverd in the post are worthy of mention in my opinion it is the last item that deserves to be called out, keep it fun.
So often at the gaming table we get wrapped up with the details of a given map, the game rules, or if we need to house rule something to make the game “better.” The new player shouldn’t be subjected to that on their first night, remember, new players will help our hobby grow and if we drive them away because the game appears to be too confusing or complicated they won’t want to game again – and we all loose at that point.
As A.L. says in the posting:
Remember that this is a game. If the first experience is that it is tedious, hard, confusing, or anything but fun you’ll likely not keep the new person at the table.
May your dice roll well.