Re: Newbie drop off last year

[Joel Gunderson <belgarat@expert.cc.purdue.edu>]

don't forget that we're all a bunch of geeks.
that probably also drove some ppl off.

Joel


On Fri, 4 Sep 1998, John Hogg wrote:

> 
> On Thu, 3 Sep 1998, Jevan Furmanski wrote:
> 
> > If you are referring to the drop in participation in the newbie games last
> > year, (from 17 to what?)  that had nothing to do with the main body of the
> > club, and I most certainly was surprised to hear the final number that
> > actually came to the Saturday game.  This year's group has only been
> > influenced positively by the club (I was there helping with character gen,
> > then left) and I really don't see your point about newbies not showing up
> > because of the power gamers.  I talked to several of the newbies in person
> > and the usual response was "I've never played something this complex
> > before."  This would be the major reason for low turn out, or repeat turn
> > out, and it can hardly be blamed on the main body of the club, but on the
> > gms that set their view of the game from the beginning.
> > 
> > Jevan
> > 
> Yes and no, Jevan.
> 
> Having had the opportunity to not only work the boothes at the activity
> fair and freshman carnivals as well as moderate a good portion of the
> Newbie game last year, I took a decided interest in why the numbers
> dwindled from the 40-50 + that signed up to the 6-8 newbies who would
> regularly attend the Friday games (To be clear about 8 people showed up
> for half or more of the adventures, but in groups of 3-6 depending on
> availability)
> 
> Yes, the main group had little to do with the drop in newbie attendance.
> 
> (I'll expand the whys of newbie dropoff below)
> 
> However, once the group made the transition to the main group, I only saw
> 2-3 of them on Saturdays.  THAT is due to the main group.
> 
> Now, having called the newbie lists every week to see who was gonna show,
> lemmie give you the WHYS behind the drop off.
> 
> 1)	They're freshmen dealing with classes
> 2)	Pledge parties
> 3)	Thought the "Fantasy Club" was something else ;)  (no shit!)
> 4)	There are people who go around the activity fairs just signing
> 	stuff.
> 5)	Friday evening exams :(
> 
> Now, we can't do much about that ... However some of the more experienced
> role players left because:
> 
> 5)	Left for a different RP group.  Either because DOP met fridays or
> 	offered systems they were more familiar with (which is why 2-3 newbies
> 	popped up on Saturdays)
> 
> 6)	Tried different groups on Saturday while playing AQ on Friday, and
> 	upon making the transition to Saturdays, found the experience to
> 	be less fun
> 	(this would be the "and no" part)
> 
> 7)	Live action got canned. (the timing of announcing this to the
> 	newbie group DID correspond to 2-3 people not showing up again,
> 	though I'm not sure it was causal)
> 
> Now, 6 & 7 are directly due to the main, Saturday Night group combined
> with a healthy dose of apathy. We (the club) didn't hold on to newbies
> because we (the club) didn't make an effort to do so. 
> 
> Now, having my share of dog adventures (make that a couple of shares),
> I'll admit there are nights I'm uninspired.  However, the newbie group was
> regularly cheering (no shit, cheering), laughing, and most of all, IN
> CHARACTER the majority of the night.  You don't get quotes like :
> 
> Now where did I put my board with a nail in it?
> But I LIKE being a giant lizard! (batts eyelashes)
> (Confidantly)It's just a Giant Panda.
> (20 minutes later)
> Are you SURE that was just a Giant Panda?
> 
> from groups not having FUN.
> 
> It's been a while since I've been on back to back adventures with the main
> group that was nearly as much fun as it was to GM the newbie group.
> 
> So as far as it being the GM's fault for coloring the newbies ideas about
> the main game ... thanks, dude!
> 
> 
> John
> 
>