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I did a D&D session at TPK Brewing where they have their own world setting and ongoing story. I'd like to join a regular group, but apparently the waitlist is insane. Most of the one-shots they run outside of the regular sessions, that anyone can sign up to, are booked out to December or later.
I had a really good time! I am glad I stayed because I was honestly so close to just leaving. Starting up gaming with a new group/org is a high energy and emotional investment. I not only coming off of a serious migraine but also...
* The buses were so delayed that the first two weren't picking up passengers, they were too crowded. I got on the third bus and it took off with me still in the entry vestibule, and the bus was too packed for me to even stand somewhere more reasonable. I can't stand on a bus at all, but this one just zoomed off with me by the front door. So, I had to stumble off at the next stop and call a rideshare *during rush hour pricing* because if all had gone to plan I'd have already been at TPK
* I had to rush getting ready because my toilet clogged and that derailed me.
* The DM never got back to me about me being a new player and approving my character sheet. I just had to show up and be all 'uh, hope this is okay?'
* Also, assorted other bs I don't want to detail.
* OH but also since it's at a gaming bar, you are pretty much expected to order something. There is no minimum, but it would be weird to not order a drink. People there for RPGs are supposed to order via a QR code and have stuff brought to their gaming table. I've been through the past few years, I can QR code menu order. But this one involved 3 separate pop-ups to opt into data gathering and then had credit card ads flashing on the menu screen. My eyes couldn't even focus on the menu text with the flashing ads. I felt like I was in a late '90s sitcom episode about being unable to deal with the digital age.
So, yeah, when I couldn't even set up payment for my expected purchases I just hit 'maybe I should just go home, I don't have the energy to role play with new people and homebrew rules for hours'. Holy fuckamole I was fucking done.
But, the session went great. It was a little intimidating that multiple people recorded it with professional audio equipment and everyone else had minis of their character, dice trays, etc. There were tablet computers and fully custom embossed/lasered/etc dice carriers and stuff. One guy had multiple boxes of custom-printed area-of-effect markers, and also custom spell effect measuring rulers for different spells. The fireball one had a fireball, the water jet one had a water jet on it, and so on...
I'd love to game with the same group again, but chances are slim of even getting one of them again. I am technically on the waitlist to join a regular game, but apparently the wait list is so long as to be meaningless at this point. I've just signed up for whatever sidequests actually have space within the next two months.
I had a really good time! I am glad I stayed because I was honestly so close to just leaving. Starting up gaming with a new group/org is a high energy and emotional investment. I not only coming off of a serious migraine but also...
* The buses were so delayed that the first two weren't picking up passengers, they were too crowded. I got on the third bus and it took off with me still in the entry vestibule, and the bus was too packed for me to even stand somewhere more reasonable. I can't stand on a bus at all, but this one just zoomed off with me by the front door. So, I had to stumble off at the next stop and call a rideshare *during rush hour pricing* because if all had gone to plan I'd have already been at TPK
* I had to rush getting ready because my toilet clogged and that derailed me.
* The DM never got back to me about me being a new player and approving my character sheet. I just had to show up and be all 'uh, hope this is okay?'
* Also, assorted other bs I don't want to detail.
* OH but also since it's at a gaming bar, you are pretty much expected to order something. There is no minimum, but it would be weird to not order a drink. People there for RPGs are supposed to order via a QR code and have stuff brought to their gaming table. I've been through the past few years, I can QR code menu order. But this one involved 3 separate pop-ups to opt into data gathering and then had credit card ads flashing on the menu screen. My eyes couldn't even focus on the menu text with the flashing ads. I felt like I was in a late '90s sitcom episode about being unable to deal with the digital age.
So, yeah, when I couldn't even set up payment for my expected purchases I just hit 'maybe I should just go home, I don't have the energy to role play with new people and homebrew rules for hours'. Holy fuckamole I was fucking done.
But, the session went great. It was a little intimidating that multiple people recorded it with professional audio equipment and everyone else had minis of their character, dice trays, etc. There were tablet computers and fully custom embossed/lasered/etc dice carriers and stuff. One guy had multiple boxes of custom-printed area-of-effect markers, and also custom spell effect measuring rulers for different spells. The fireball one had a fireball, the water jet one had a water jet on it, and so on...
I'd love to game with the same group again, but chances are slim of even getting one of them again. I am technically on the waitlist to join a regular game, but apparently the wait list is so long as to be meaningless at this point. I've just signed up for whatever sidequests actually have space within the next two months.
no subject
Date: 2024-09-19 05:07 pm (UTC)From:I do think it's telling that, around here at least, a lot of places that were fully QR code have gone back to (or in some cases started doing for the first time) physical menus. I don't think anyone likes the QR code menu thing.
no subject
Date: 2024-09-19 06:18 pm (UTC)From:The other gaming cafe I've been to also has table ordering for the same reason, but I don't know if they use the same system.
no subject
Date: 2024-09-22 03:41 am (UTC)From:I loathe having to use QR codes for anything, ha.
no subject
Date: 2024-09-25 03:33 pm (UTC)From:QR codes could be so good, so useful, but in practice it's so often a mess.
no subject
Date: 2024-09-27 04:32 am (UTC)From:I know QR codes are more and more common - even my workplace uses them for a ton of stuff now - but I feel like I never have terribly good luck with them. I'm sure I could get more used to them, but I particularly hate things like that, where it's how to access a menu or place an order. It seems like there's always an issue!