Playing RPGs around a table?

[maerson]

I've noticed a lot of references to folks playing table-top RPGs around a table. Gamer Chic is an example of a company (doing a great job) taking advantage of that practice. (Yes, that was a plug for a company I really hope stays in business. No, I'm not embarrassed to admit it - it's my power, and I want to use it. Sometimes I'll even use it for

Comments

[kingtheseus]

I think for dice-prominent games, having a table for everyone is an advantage. I like the feeling of the table, the group seems a lot closer to each other. Usually though, I GM on soft furniture, because that just seems more convenient, and there's more space. And I only GM diceless...

[maerson]

Interesting aspect about being closer. Good thought.

We tend to use a lot of game tables (AKA TV trays) to allow for dice and such.

[sirvalence]

We play Pathfinder with the five of us around a kitchen table, often with the map in the center. Our GM doesn't use those newfangled computery things, though Brandon plays with his laptop on a TV table, and I have my netbook on the table (my Excel character file works so much better for me than a printed character sheet).

Usually when I run StoryCards there's a table, which is handy for the players to share their deck. It's also good for the hand-drawn maps and pawns and dice that I generally use to show where everyone is in tactical situations.

[maerson]

That's a good point - we have had issues with having to pass a deck around. I think that we've also had issues with folks not actually seeing what was one the coffee table because it was just too far away.

I agree with you that an electronic character sheet is easier to use. I'm looking at a couple of tools at GenCon to use that will allow consistent and easy character management.

Thanks!