Getting Your Solo Games to the Table
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Today I talk about getting our solo games to the table to play. This can be our solo role playing games or our solo board games etc. Sometimes it is not as simple/easy as it seems just to pull a game out and play....
Adventures in Solitaire Gaming Group: / 442911800922930
I even take my most favorite solo ttrgp to my tabletop store and play
D100 Dungeon. It's getting to the point I'm liking
D100 Dungeon more than
Video game playing.
Hey there Bhuda! I completely understand liking one over the other ( Video games over Board games ). I tend to like both and hop between them. Sometimes I even find that I have to stay away from one or the other to give it a break. I like to appreciate both mediums for what they offer. I love the slow, methodical and tactile feel of board games...it feels like more of a relationship of sorts in that regard.
Thank you, this video really needed to be made. I've had that ongoing issue with solo gaming. I'm like the kid with hundreds of toys that is too "bored" to play. I appreciate the advice.
Hey there HeadHunter! Good to hear from you. I completely understand. Isn't ironic how you tend to enjoy things more when you have less? I am so glad you found it useful in any way, shape, or form. :)
I hear ye. Make that 1000. I made an actual "Microsoft Excel" page with everything, and it's not even everything. It's not boredom, it's choice-stress for me.
@@kosterix123 that might be the root of it for me, too. So many solo games, or games that are solo friendly... and which oracle(s) to use? Etc etc
I agree, with the bulk of this video (I love to learn rules, see reviews, and watch play throughs), but as others here have noted, free time and space are my adversaries now. My situation is a little extreme at the moment, but I think it's not only important to set realistic expectations for your fun, but also to get your life in order so that you can have fun.
“Everything is playing…
If you are getting involved with an RPG rule set in any way, you are playing.
Going through rules and thinking about what to do and downloading a pdf - and not doing anything more than that - is not a failure. It is not a waste of time. It is part of playing.
If you read rule sets but never run sessions with them, that is still experiencing the RPG world. That is part of playing.
All these things are part of the process of solo RPGing. They are part of having a solo experience.
…
Everything is playing.”
-Geek Gamers, Solo Game Master’s Guide
Hi Ben :) That made me smile. It is reassuring to know that such a pillar of our community had similar words. That is a much more succinct and overarching explanation than I did for sure. That concept can really extend to so many areas of our life. Thank you for sharing that...it was so good to know there are others ( and others that I admire ) that are of the same mindset.
Great topic and observations. Thank you for sharing the systems that work for you, as I can empathize and found the infomation to have value for me too.
Hi Lenny, I am thankful that you found value in it. I was worried that it might seem to simple an idea and would just be words in the wind. It is good to know I am not alone there :)
Great video! This struggle and solution is universally applicable - love the insights and breakdown. It’s a great reminder to enjoy each step of a process and not overwhelm yourself with the end goal.
Hey William! I am so glad you enjoyed it. I was worried it would be a bit flat, but this realization over time has made all the difference and I wanted to share my thoughts ( as always ) with others. Thank you again William :)
The struggle is real. Very relatable, thanks for making this video. As you say, it's the weirdest thing. I have a game I'm excited about, I think about it all the time. Imagining, visualizing, planning -- in my MIND. But somehow I Just. Never. Start. You've inspired me to change that. Thanks again!
It's the best video about the struggles for solo playing, RPGs & BGs. I have dozen of games that I love, but they are in the shelves, collecting dust. Why?? The FEAR of starting solo, how do I start, what do I need to play solo, and so on. I never do the first step to simply put the game on the table (in my case, on the bed--desktop is overloaded with my huge printer!!) and, results: I do not progress, I am sad to see the games not being played and the only solution I had was to looking at and purchase THE game that will start all. Useless. Really useless. And expensive. And now, you propose this simple solution: bring the game to the table and setup. Simple. So simple. Thank you, thank you so much to have shown me HOW to trigger the pleasure to play VS. the fear to play alone and not knowing how. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Hey there Frederic, listening ( or reading ;) ) what you have posted felt so familiar in some ways. It is so painful to look at your desires setting on shelf ( or anywhere ) being unused and unfulfilled. The sad thing is that the payoff of enjoyment is also setting on that same shelf ( or space ). It just takes the right steps and thought process ( typically ) to get it started, not finished, but started, so that you can make your way to what your goal was/is. It really can be a struggle and for me it will likely always be a work in progress...BUT....I get better with every set up or reading session etc. I hope you find the means and the will to push through so that you can find the enjoyment that you too seem to be seeing setting on the shelf. Thank you so much for taking the time to share. I never want to see someone suffer in similar ways to me but I am so glad to know I am not alone. Thank you Frederic. :)
What has worked for me is instead of staring at All of the games on my shelves I'll think about what I'm in the mood for first. Say I decided on a euro. Then am I looking for something lighter or heavy. Or did I want to play a particular mechanism.
Another way is did I just hear or see coverage about a game I own. Great, I'm interested. Might as well play it.
I find narrowing down my options first keeps the process of chosing what to play from being so overwhelming that nothing gets chosen.
Hey there Shadman. That is a really great point and I find myself doing all of those things as well. Now I wish I had that in my video. It can be a bit embarrassing how often a movie, or topic ( or as you say, "coverage about a game" ) can influence what I want to see in front of me. Breaking down mechanics of games by my mood is often another common metric I weigh in my decision to play as well. VERY good points there Shadman. Thank you for that. :)
This whole concept is awesome: Geek Gamers in her Solo Game Master’ Guide, calls this process “Everything is Play”.
It’s nice to see you bring the subject to light as I know it’s something I struggle with as well. But understanding that anything we do within the hobby is “playing the game”, helps. No matter how much of it we get “done” in a session.
Much respects. Great video, as always.
Hey Jeremiah! Good to hear from you again :) I obviously completely agree. This is a practice I am always working on and it has been so helpful. . So much of what we do in life depends on our perspective. Much respects to you as well and thank you for the uplifting comments :)
This is literally speaking right to me. Sitting overwhelmed by WFRP 4 rules and freaking out that I don't know them all before I play and going round in circles about playing a more rules lite game instead.
Hey there Wanderer. Rules heavy games can definitely be a lot for me. Sometimes I just have to forget about playing the system and just look at it as something I am interested in learning about.
When I was MUCH younger I had a bunch of Battletech material and no one to play it with ( and no way to play solo ). I wanted to play so badly that all I did was read the rules...sometimes more than once. That would really lead to a great understanding of the systems I wanted to play...even if I would never have the chance to play them.
I would say that, even if you switch to a more "rules light" system, you can still read on WFRP 4 rules while you play the other...just to enjoy that content. If you like it you can play it, if you dont then you are more educated about another system. It may even give you conceptual ideas you can use elsewhere in your hobby.
Thank you so much for taking the time to post your thoughts. I appreciate it :)
WFRP 4e is one of the numerous games with which I sat down with some paper and a clipboard, in a comfortable recliner, and took notes on the rules. Just wrote down the notables in an organized summary as I was reading them. You'll recognize rules that you'll likely have to reference during later play as you're reading. Not only does the process of writing them down help your memory, but you'll have a general shorthand overview of it all in a couple pages you can quickly reference by the categorical headlines you use. Saves time digging through the manual, and you can always add page number references to the bigger stuff thus avoiding indices and chapter digs.
Sounds like a lot of work, but give it a shot if you feel overwhelmed by a new system. In the future, you can just go back and skim through your notes to knock the rust off too.
You’re welcome and thank you. I struggle with managing my time to include gaming and this idea of “every part of it IS the game” mentality resonates with me. I usually have to make a space, gather my gear then create the character. By the time I’m ready to play something comes up or it becomes to late to enjoy it. So maybe by making the syllables part of it, I can pull more dopamine from its engagement.
Thank you. 😁
Thanks for the advice to lean into the joys of the little steps towards playing the game, relishing the anticipation of the game, remembering what was enjoyable about the game. Cheers!
Hi Raquel, You are so very welcome. Thank you for taking the time to watch and let me know how you felt about the video. You are appreciated :)
Just found your channel tonight, and this video hits close to home. I'm starting my first Starforged campaign next week, but before I do, I'm going binder shopping! I refuse to fall into my own bad habit of filling shelves but not tabling games. Thanks for making this video.
Totally relate to this - thanks for your honesty and openess. I too find the collecting and researching part of the process much more accessible and engaging than actually sitting down to play something that's arrived. I enjoy unboxing it, looking at it, flipping through it and looking at the artwork - even reading it. But playing it seems strangely illusive. Some great tips here - thank you again :)
Hey there Dharma, sorry it has taken me so long to reply. I am glad to know I am not alone. It can be exceptionally difficult to get them to the table to be sure. Thank you for watching, listening, and taking the time to let me know your thoughts. It really felt great to hear your feedback. Thank you :)
Right now for me it’s juggling my time. Unfortunately Murphy’s Law is always around the corner in my house lol. Another great video!
Hi Oneal. I think I can definitely meet you somewhere there in regards to Murphy's law and family. Sometimes I feel like I need revolving doors in my home for all the needs that must be met ( especially those that catch you unaware [ Murphy's law ] ). This is also yet another reason that I have to compartmentalize the game-play process. If I tried to do it all at once in a single setting I would never play anything. Thank you as always for the kind words and the knowledge that I am not alone ;) :)
It's not a wasted time. Ive pay 3 or 4 thousand euros on games and last year not played once lol. It's the time and mentality.. it's easier to play a pc game or watch an anime.. I've had the same problem with books. I've got 4000 paperback novels and I read like 50 pernyear while purchasing 150 or 200 lol... This last year I focused on reading at night and ended up reading 180. A vast improvement. This year my goal is to purchase less and read more and after 20 years my tbr will be smaller. In terms of books I purchased four against darkness and going to try that .. then after some months start with boardgames like shadows of brimstone or even kingdom death. I find more pleasure on organizing stuff than playing lol it's very strange.. TKS for the video
Hi Paulo, you are a rare person indeed. Not many people can say they have read that much literature in a given year. That is commendable. I definitely feel pull from things that are just easier to imbibe like media or electronic gaming. I also enjoy the organization as well. There are times where I will go to where I store/display my collection and just re-organize. That will some times lead into looking into per-game storage solutions or improvements to older solutions. That will some times draw me into giving a game the time it deserves. Motivation is a curious thing indeed. Thank YOU for taking the time to reply and lend your experiences. I really appreciate it.
yeah this is the problem I still have every now and again. Geek Gamers' whole "everything is playing" spiel helps but I think the fact that I was a forever GM for the longest time and a writer also help me somewhat. Whenever I hear soloists talk about the biggest hurdle to getting a game going, it usually ends up to the work normally handled by a Game Master in a traditional game group. The setting, the NPCs, the quest, how long you want to explore a given world with a particular character... Yes, these are hard. Even though you only have one player to worry about and have a direct line to their inner thought process, it's still hard. And that's okay, if it wasn't hard then GM burnout wouldn't be a thing.
Wow....somebody gets the struggle. 😢. Sub'd
Hey there again Don C. I am so very glad to have someone who understands here with me. I am very greatful for the sub. Your words mean a lot and help me feel less "alone" out here. Thank you Thank you.
Love that Ironsworn folder! 🙂 Motivation as a solo player is such an important subject. Well done for adding to the conversation. I think many solo gamers are introverted by nature. It can make you more disposed to a negative internal dialogue. There are solutions to this!
Well hello again Crinklechips! I obviously agree there on the motivation piece. I have to do everything I can to make it an "inviting" process and not a chore to due that just sits on the shelf. In regards to introverted solo gamers, there is definitely a skew to that personality type. It's not an absolute behavior for solo gamers but it certainly shows. I obviously fall into that camp. In regards to self defeating internal dialogue, I have found ( and continue to find ), that the more I know why I do what I do ( or dont do ), the more I can see that this is just "who I am" and how I am made. I dont get a choice in that, AND, there is nothing wrong with it. I just fly a different flag than some. I also try to be proud of that flag when appropriate.
@@adventuresinsolitaire My struggles are nowhere near yours but you say things which help me feel more motivated to game. Thanks!
Never a problem Crinklechips. I am so glad it helps in any form that takes.
I seem to be struggling to get myself to solo RP. Thank you for the tips.
Hey there Morta1337y. I have certainly been there and it has taken my quite some time to find my groove. If I can in any way make that process smoother for someone else then it is more than worth it. You are so very welcome. Thank YOU Morta.
Thanks for making this video. I find I have the same issue. I will get a new system and look it over and say to myself "Wow, this looks really fun and this is a lot to take in". I then put it aside and not touch it again and look at it wanting to play but feeling overwhelmed by it all. I will be trying this technique and see if I can get myself in some of these games finally.
Very informative and great information. It reminds me of when I was a child I was never much into playing the board games but I loved looking at the boxes and playing with the items inside and moving them around the board and making up my own rules. As adults we tend to have restricted time so we look at playing as in following the rules as opposed to playing as in just enjoying what you have and whatever capacity you want. You want to look at the pictures look at the pictures you want to read the rules read the rules you want to build characters build characters you want to play with the things in the box play with the things in the box we're adults we can enjoy whatever we want to with our games. And if it takes taking baby steps and doing little things to get to the overall picture that's great advice for everything.
I've found if possible, I will use tabletop simulator to learn the game. Once I've learned how to play, that factor where I am uncertain on the gameplay loop etc, will get minimized since I used the convenience of TTS to learn. If you've touched TTS before you know most of them start already setup. This is a g reat idea, I will have to get binders that will save the starting setup of the game. Good video sir!
Another commenter mentioned going to their local gamestore to play. That's something I need to do. It eliminates distractions and opens me up to meeting new people who might enjoy the hobby with me.
My hobby is solo boardgames. Five weeks ago solo board gaming have been almost an obsession. Since then I have been caught in a health crisis leaving me very sad and in constant pain. I also can't find motivation for playing board games or do anything else. As you mentioned you have deal with a condition. How did you managed to keep interested in your hobby?
With my back injury I had to rest days before my mind had the freedom to write or envision. That lasted years but I can walk again and walking with music helps me think of fantasy settings again.
@@twilightgardenspresentatio6384 Thanks so much for sharing. It's so difficult! I fully understand you. My life have change so much. I'll try to find motivation to go on. Thanks for your advice and thanks for your videos.
Hey there Nydaloth, my condition is physical in that I have parts of my brain that dont work like they should. This includes chemical release and literally underdeveloped areas of my brain ( social mostly ). Stimuli from the outside world such as light, sound, touch can also be an issue as I can be very sensitive to those things as well. In regards to the physical, I have early onset arthritis in many of my joints. But the physical issues dont limit me from moving around ( outside of drive or will ). The only advice I can think of would be to start looking at boardgame form factors that fit with any lack of mobility that you may have. I know that probably doesn't help much but I want to be careful on what advise I offer there as well. I can tell you that there have been times when my phone/tablet or computer have come in handy here. Although I cannot touch the game pieces MANY games have been converted, with precision, on mobile devices and computers. So there have been times when I would have been unable to play a board game and those devices have been a life saver. Hopefully there is something there that helps. Thank you so VERY much for sharing your experience, I am glad that others are hoping in to offer there experiences here as well.
@@adventuresinsolitaire Thanks to you. I'll follow your advice. I wish you the best.
@@nydaloth And to you as well...truly.
Really liked this video. I can totally relate to this. Thanks for talking about things not a lot of people talk about with the Solo rpg/boardgame hobby. :)
Hi #1! Good to hear from you again. I am so glad you can relate there. I decided that I needed to get content out more frequently and realized I hadn't done videos like these in a while. I had a large list of topics I either wanted to talk about as a new topic, or to expand upon an existing topic I have already covered. So more should be coming. Thank you for giving me the extra drive to keep making these kinds of videos. :)
@@adventuresinsolitaire It's unique and good content. I look forward to more. I'm working through your d100 Space video as I can. I love the long form videos, but sometimes I'm so busy I have to come back and watch the rest as I have time. I'm about halfway through now. Thanks again.
@@Number01 Never a problem, thank YOU :)
3:00 a high-school binder, that's genius. Never thought of that!
One addendum I'd make to this, is that some games I'm ok with only ever completing a part of them.
Dungeon Crusade is a good example. I'm perfectly fine with setting it up and only playing through to the first celebration day. It's already a multi-hour game at that point. I don't need to feel bad that I didn't "complete the game."
Or a solo RPG, it's ok if I just create a character and a setting, but maybe don't even complete a full play session with that character. I had fun and it's ok if I want to roll up a new character next time and do a quest with them instead. Or maybe I'll be inspired and have those two characters join together, etc.
Hey Dan, I think it is likely the OCD in me that sees something not complete that sees it as some sort of personal failure. That is something I need to work on and definitely look at differently. That is a really good way to look at it, I think. Thank you for the added insight Dan, much appreciated and gives me food for thought. :)
Yeah I kind of look at it the same way.setup is a lot better in pieces.especially for the first play.sometimes it can take a day or three before you're really off and running with a full session.and that's ok if it helps you get it to the table!
I absolutely agree Eric, obviously ;) Whatever works for you ( in general ) to get value out of what you are trying to achieve. I still need to work on it and I am always improving and looking for ways to improve.
Good video. As adults we’re not getting anywhere. Kids are better at this. We were, once.
I enjoy discovering things in analog board games, why they were built that way. In video games you only get the end product.
Hey Kosteri x! I wanted to let you know that I saw your original comment ( it was removed for some reason or another ). I wanted to say how much that original post meant. I literally leaned back and smiled. It was just shortly after it uploaded and it made my evening. Thank you for your kind words on that initial post.
In regards to the discovery process with analogue games....I completely agree. I can sometimes even break the mechanics down too much and I have to be careful of loosing theme in the process. I need to do a video about keeping the theme when all you tend to do is look at the numbers. That can be tough for me. But it is always fun to see how things work together in regards to overall game-play and mechanics. Good points!
@@adventuresinsolitaire yes youtube deleted the original comment, and today I'm too senile to remember what I wrote. Nice to hear ♪
your genre is more RPG and mine is more adventure (card or book) games but I see parallels in our approaches. You're not alone :-)
I literally dissected Sleeping gods KS once and made a series of videos (which earned me a record high of dislikes). Then I sold it but a year later got a few new ideas how to fix the problems so I had to cough up $437 for the re-release.
Which means no more crowdfundings for me for 2023.
@@kosterix123 It was very nice and I really appreciated it ;) In regards to the KS and the dislikes, that had to be so painful in so many ways. Sorry to hear that.
Hopefully it works out better this time around. $430.00 would be a big hit for me and would be the only KS I would be backing for that year in all likelihood. Just not in my budget. I do about 1 large kickstarter per year so far. We will see what this new year brings.
Oh, and on a side note, you have a new subscriber ;)
@@adventuresinsolitaire haha thanks and welcome ♥
Another rock solid video. Thanks!
Hey there Ziggurat-builder! Thank you, as always for the kind words :)