If you want to start playing tabletop roleplaying games, but don’t have anyone to play with, have no fear! It’s easier than you think to get your friends together for an unforgettable adventure. Here are six tips for putting together your first gaming group.
Just Ask
Roleplaying games have hit the mainstream, and you might be surprised how many people want to give them a try! Reach out to your friends you’d like to play with and ask if they might be interested. Even if they’ve never considered it before, they might enjoy an opportunity to hang out and try something new with their friends. You might even discover that they feel the same way you do. Be prepared for some friends to decline of course, but you only need three to five players to say “yes” to fill your table! It also helps to invite people individually, rather than sending out a public post or mass invitation. People like it when it feels like you want them, not just any warm body.
Start Small
Many RPG players dream of an epic, years-long campaign, but that’s a lot of commitment when you’re just starting out. Instead, start by planning a single session, known as a one-shot, or a short campaign of around three sessions. It’s a great opportunity to get a taste of the hobby without diving into the deep end, and it’s enough to find out who gets bit by the bug and wants more by the end. After all, if everyone’s into it, there’s nothing stopping you from continuing the story of your small starter game!
Pitch a Game
A great way to recruit your friends to play games with you is a solid pitch. To put one together, pick a game you want to try. Dungeons & Dragons is a popular choice for high fantasy, but the RPG scene is a diverse field; you might also pick Blades in the Dark for crime drama, Alien for sci-fi horror, or an easy-to-learn game designed for a single session, like Lasers & Feelings or Honey Heist. Once you have your game, read it over, taking note of the things that excite you about it. To create your pitch, highlight all those elements that make you enthusiastic about putting this game together with your friends! Chances are, your attitude will be infectious, and people will be more likely to join a game that the organizer (that’s you) is excited about.
Become the Game Master
Being the organizer often means also being the facilitator; the game is less likely to get off the ground if no one steps up to run it. But don’t be intimidated! Being a game master, or GM, isn’t remotely as hard or scary as it seems. You’re just another kind of player, with a different set of rules, responsibilities, and yes, powers! Most games even tell you how to run them in their rulebooks, and you might already have an idea of what a game session or adventure might look like from portrayals in movies, TV shows, and actual plays. If you’re starting small, you have even less to worry about; maybe one to three sessions of adventure.
If that still seems like a lot, there’s even more support available! There are hundreds of prewritten short starter adventures for new players written for every game under the sun. Many games even come with a first adventure, usually in the back of the book. Online creators like Matt Colville, Sly Flourish, and Ginny Di (among many, many others) have great advice for new game masters just starting out. And you can also find plenty of roleplaying games that have no GM at all, like Fiasco, The Quiet Year, and Wanderhome! Someone will still need to know the rules and facilitate, but nobody has to run the game. As long as you’re comfortable with a little bit of reading and the prospect of learning as you go, you’re ready to be a game master!
Play Online
If your friends aren’t all in one physical location (as it often happens), online play is a great option! There are loads of virtual tabletops, or VTTs, that support online play. Some even have the rules of games built directly into their systems. Most also have digital dice, character sheets, and chat functionality. Some have their own voice and video platforms, but you can always combine a VTT with another platform like Zoom or Discord.
Make Some New Friends
For any number of reasons, you may find you can’t assemble a group of friends to play with you. That’s okay! The RPG hobby is an excellent way to make new friends. Visit your local game store to find out if they have an RPG night, or organized play for some of their more popular games. Check out Reddit for the LFG (Looking For Group) subreddit, or the specific forum for the game you’re interested in. Many games also have dedicated Discord servers with open games and LFG boards. If you’re okay playing with strangers online, you’ve got the best chances of both getting into a game, and making those strangers into new friends! Just remember to play safe, and don’t be afraid to leave if a game or group isn’t working out. Not every group will gel, but with a little persistence, you’re bound to find a group that’s a great fit.
Hire a Pro
Of course, it’s possible you read all that and thought it sounded like a lot. There’s good news for you too! There are professional game masters on sites like StartPlaying, many of whom specialize in introducing new players to the hobby. Whether you and your friends have gathered but can’t decide who will GM, scheduling has scuttled your campaign before it had a chance to begin, or you’ve tried everything and assembling a gaming group feels impossible, a pro GM has you covered. They’ll schedule the game, teach it, and run it for you, providing a totally unique experience. Each GM also has a personal style, which may include gorgeous visuals, ambient music, a thrilling story, compelling characters, and yes, funny voices. If you want to skip straight to the action, check out the open tables on StartPlaying with your friends and sign up!
Sean Foer is a game designer, editor, writer, video creator and professional GM.
