I play DnD online, but I would reckon face to face play has similar issues.
I noticed that unless DMs organize games, then the game will just never happen. I have yet to see a player organize and get the games set up. It was always the DM doing it. So do you think it is possible for players to effectively organize the games or is it mainly the job of the DM?
Look up "Westmarches campaign", that's precisely the kind of thing you're looking for. It's still pretty much the DM initiating it - kind of inevitable, since you still do need a DM and shouldn't volunteer someone else for the job ;) - but leaving all the organizational details to the players.
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Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Westmarch style games are intended to be different than regular D&D games in a bunch of ways (I wont go into here). A key difference is that it's up to the players to decide what it is they want to do and when they want to do it, they then work with the DM to find a IRL time that works.
One of the reasons the DM does the scheduling is that they are the de-factor group leader. You can lose a player or two to scheduling but the DMs HAVE to be there or else there is no game.
Alternatively, if you are playing a traditional regular same group, same campaign, same DM type of game here are a few things that can help and that I have used in my time as a DM.
1) appoint a player in the group to be the scheduler and let them take this burden. DMs do a lot, feel free to outsource to your players.
2) pick a regular cadence to meet and play, eg every other Friday, or something
3) Schedule your next couple of games at the START of the session. If anyone is going to miss, have them send you dates and times in advance.
PS, when scheduling, ask players for the days/evenings/times that DONT work as opposed to times that DO work. You will have a much broader set of dates and times to align everyone that way.
This is why I like to have an NPC in the party: so, I can play and DM at the same time. It's a lot of work, but well worth it when you have a good, consistent group.
I play DnD online, but I would reckon face to face play has similar issues.
I noticed that unless DMs organize games, then the game will just never happen. I have yet to see a player organize and get the games set up. It was always the DM doing it. So do you think it is possible for players to effectively organize the games or is it mainly the job of the DM?
1 shot dungeon master
Look up "Westmarches campaign", that's precisely the kind of thing you're looking for. It's still pretty much the DM initiating it - kind of inevitable, since you still do need a DM and shouldn't volunteer someone else for the job ;) - but leaving all the organizational details to the players.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
It's possible, just unlikely.
I've had a friend ask me to run a one-shot for him before. It was a good time.
This.
Westmarch style games are intended to be different than regular D&D games in a bunch of ways (I wont go into here). A key difference is that it's up to the players to decide what it is they want to do and when they want to do it, they then work with the DM to find a IRL time that works.
One of the reasons the DM does the scheduling is that they are the de-factor group leader. You can lose a player or two to scheduling but the DMs HAVE to be there or else there is no game.
Alternatively, if you are playing a traditional regular same group, same campaign, same DM type of game here are a few things that can help and that I have used in my time as a DM.
1) appoint a player in the group to be the scheduler and let them take this burden. DMs do a lot, feel free to outsource to your players.
2) pick a regular cadence to meet and play, eg every other Friday, or something
3) Schedule your next couple of games at the START of the session. If anyone is going to miss, have them send you dates and times in advance.
PS, when scheduling, ask players for the days/evenings/times that DONT work as opposed to times that DO work. You will have a much broader set of dates and times to align everyone that way.
This is why I like to have an NPC in the party: so, I can play and DM at the same time. It's a lot of work, but well worth it when you have a good, consistent group.
The only times I've been in games where players organized things it was when we continued playing after the end of a campaign and the DM changed.