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Post by Gamingdevil on Apr 13, 2018 11:17:48 GMT
crowDo you have any way to reach those new players? If you guys bring your own terrain and just use a table, I'm pretty sure the "established" group can't stop you from playing however you want. Then after a while, they either loosen up and play against you (aka, they see the benefit of having a bigger group) or they don't and their loss? Even if the store doesn't give you much help, if all you use is a board, I don't see a reason why they would not let you.
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crow
Junior Strategist
Posts: 310
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Post by crow on Apr 13, 2018 11:35:42 GMT
I tried to get phone numbers (didn't work), or some way to talk to the new players, but I was never paired against them (they didn't want the new people playing together). The guy who runs it is pretty adamant and acts like he owns the store. For instance, My dad one time offered to play against a new player, and was then told by the guy who runs it "No I don't think that's a good idea. New guy, instead we're gonna have you play a more experienced player" followed by rolling to determine his opponent. Not only that but the new guy had struggled to put together a 75 point list, and they were already telling him to try and work on a second one for a pairing... the kid had just started! Another time me and my dad had showed up early and were going to play against each other, and he was like "well we need to wait for the others, you guys can start once people get here". He used to be a Press Ganger... and I'm just so frustrated!
Also he tries to use the excuse "I might have more people showing up for the group, so we may need the extra tables". It's seriously messed up... I'm trying to start a Facebook group, but with no one but me, my dad, and my wife... I can't think of how to get it to grow. Especially when even the store owners and employees won't help!
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Post by GumbaFish on Apr 13, 2018 11:39:50 GMT
Crow, how well do you know the store owner? I think it would be first useful to talk to the person who is running warmachine there and explain to them your concerns over recruiting new players. If that fails maybe you should talk to the store owner and tell them that you are interested in running an event like a demo night catered to new players. That way you maybe can avoid being confrontational about how this guy in their shop is creating a problem but still get some new players in. I am not sure, that is kind of tough. However, if the ownership doesn't care then I think you might be out of luck if there aren't alternative stores to play at or you can somehow reach through to this guy.
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Cyel
Junior Strategist
Posts: 685
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Post by Cyel on Apr 13, 2018 13:03:52 GMT
I'd just start a gaming group outside the store if it is not friendly enough ( home, club , school...). I don't think stores make the most comfortable place for gaming anyway (crowd, noise, lack of space, having to buy things. For me it's like eating in a grocery store, or reading in a book store. You can, but...).
The only issue is getting in touch with those players. Maybe your local FB group/page/whatever could help you find like-minded players to join you ?
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Post by Gamingdevil on Apr 13, 2018 13:04:49 GMT
crow Like you said, that's a bullshit excuse and he really can't stop you from playing if you want to. I assume you have tried reasoning with him and asking why he feels this is the best course of action instead of letting people do what they want? Perhaps try explaining to him that he's scaring people away and that it would be better to let you guys play amongst each other until you are ready for the more competitive league. Aside from that, a little passive-aggressiveness never hurt anyone: get there before him, start playing on a table, he can't really kick you out. He can go whine to the store owner I suppose, but if you're buying drinks and/or models, I'm pretty sure said owner will see the value in keeping active customers vs giving the whiny guy his way. I suppose you could try facebook for finding those other people. Not everyone adjusts their privacy settings in such a way that nothing is publicly visible. If you happened to catch their first name and find someone with that name in your city that liked the privateerpress page, chances are they're what you're looking for.
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Post by Azuresun on Apr 13, 2018 13:07:18 GMT
That sounds pretty messed up and cliquey.
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kaernak
Junior Strategist
Either pray to Menoth or feel his fury. You'll burn either way.
Posts: 172
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Post by kaernak on Apr 13, 2018 13:15:42 GMT
First off this thread makes me happy! I just discovered it and just read a few of the responses... but I think is the place to ask for help! My local Meta is pretty dead. The only gaming group for warmachine in the city consists of like 5 guys and they don't deviate from the following: -No one plays until everyone shows up. -Everyone has to have written at least two 75 point lists (though you can bring one, and just play the one) -Opponents are rolled for, and you can't play the same person two weeks in a row -Terrain is set up in standard Steamroller fashion, but is set up by everybody before the game begins. -Dice are hitting the table usually around 7:00 pm. Needless to say I attended for a bit until I couldn't take it anymore, and haven't had time or motivation to return since I left. On top of that while I was going, I saw four or five new players show up, and then watched as they never showed up again. It's maddening! When I tried to set up a seperate day, I got no help from the store, the guys, or anyone else but my dad (the only person I have played in the last few months!). We need a different gaming group or I might give up man... it's not bad playing my dad, but he only plays legion, and it's the same opponent over, and over... and it's getting hard. Suggestions? I feel you! This was my store until my friend and I decided we were just going to KEEP SHOWING UP. Maybe go out of your way to engage anyone new that comes in or see if any of your friends are interested. Go down to the store with your dad and play on days when the others aren't there(if your store has open gaming space of course). Eventually more people will show and enjoy. We grew our meta from 2 to 6 and found a group in the next town over that plays frequently as well! "If you build it they will come" I guess.
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Post by HubertJFarnsworth on Apr 13, 2018 14:05:56 GMT
First off this thread makes me happy! I just discovered it and just read a few of the responses... but I think is the place to ask for help! My local Meta is pretty dead. The only gaming group for warmachine in the city consists of like 5 guys and they don't deviate from the following: -No one plays until everyone shows up. -Everyone has to have written at least two 75 point lists (though you can bring one, and just play the one) -Opponents are rolled for, and you can't play the same person two weeks in a row -Terrain is set up in standard Steamroller fashion, but is set up by everybody before the game begins. -Dice are hitting the table usually around 7:00 pm. Needless to say I attended for a bit until I couldn't take it anymore, and haven't had time or motivation to return since I left. On top of that while I was going, I saw four or five new players show up, and then watched as they never showed up again. It's maddening! When I tried to set up a seperate day, I got no help from the store, the guys, or anyone else but my dad (the only person I have played in the last few months!). We need a different gaming group or I might give up man... it's not bad playing my dad, but he only plays legion, and it's the same opponent over, and over... and it's getting hard. Suggestions? That's rough dude. Are there any other stores in the area? If there are it might be worth checking in on some of the others to see if there's been any interest raised. Even if there hasn't you can try going on one of their open gaming nights with your dad and just playing; do it enough times and you may start getting some interest. Often there will be people who have looked at it (or used to play and still own models) but didn't have a community and just need a spark to get back in.
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Post by W0lfBane on Apr 13, 2018 14:09:52 GMT
Crow I have an alternative suggestion.
Show up but don't bring your models. Sit around and be like I can't play cause of "made up reason" or even play a couple of days but not every day.pretend you are doing your best effort to play despite "made up reason"
If you can set up an alternative day at the store. Do it.
What needs to happen is this. When you see a new player intercept them or strike up a convo. Exchange numbers and social media. Later on over the phone explain to them that that night is where the competitive gang shows up and that you're trying to set up a casual evening for more laid back games. Ask them if they would be interested in that.
The reason you want to be a spectator is cause then you get to see the new player and talk to them without looking like you are trying to scalpel them. Basically you need an excuse to be allowed to talk to the new people so you can exchange numbers
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draycos
Junior Strategist
Posts: 167
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Post by draycos on Apr 13, 2018 14:20:07 GMT
I guess I really lucked out. When I started playing almost everyone was super inviting and friendly. My first game was actually kinda accidental. I walked up to a table where two people were playing and said that it kinda looked cool to me. One of them actually just stepped aside right there and let me run their army. They walked me through the generic options at my disposal. Explained why one might be better than another but let me pick the overall strategy.
That lead to my purchase of a battle box. Players who play local level tournaments and full point games (MK2 standard) would give up the time to play my humble little battle box. They taught me various strategies, how to make best use of my models, and what to watch out for with their armies. (I was also warned that I would lose over and over as I stated earlier in the thread, and I did. But it never felt bad. Every loss was a positive learning experience. I even got suggestions on what to buy next based on my play style. As my collection slowly grew people would offer to play at whatever point level I was at. I am very thankful for this experience. My press ganger at the time was super inviting and helpful too. Often chose to be the odd one out to ensure everyone else had a game.
{*****} Back to the main point though... That ex press ganger sounds like a bit of a playground bully. He might have good intentions but he shouldn't be dictating who plays who and when you can start (unless it's an actual tournament). That would kill my interest in going every week, even as a 1+ year casual player. I would ask the store if they can set up a second night for casual play. One night for the Tournament prep people and one for the new players to learn the game.
Best of luck and if you were in my area I would love to have you guys come and play.
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Post by Charistoph on Apr 13, 2018 14:29:54 GMT
I feel you! This was my store until my friend and I decided we were just going to KEEP SHOWING UP. Maybe go out of your way to engage anyone new that comes in or see if any of your friends are interested. Go down to the store with your dad and play on days when the others aren't there(if your store has open gaming space of course). Eventually more people will show and enjoy. We grew our meta from 2 to 6 and found a group in the next town over that plays frequently as well! "If you build it they will come" I guess. Agreed. Unless they are actually renting the tables (or there is a super special deal between the Ganger and the owner), they have no right to restrict space they aren't using. And if someone doesn't show up on time, to dang bad. He has no more right to control your enjoyment of the game then you have to control his.
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kaernak
Junior Strategist
Either pray to Menoth or feel his fury. You'll burn either way.
Posts: 172
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Post by kaernak on Apr 13, 2018 14:47:36 GMT
I feel you! This was my store until my friend and I decided we were just going to KEEP SHOWING UP. Maybe go out of your way to engage anyone new that comes in or see if any of your friends are interested. Go down to the store with your dad and play on days when the others aren't there(if your store has open gaming space of course). Eventually more people will show and enjoy. We grew our meta from 2 to 6 and found a group in the next town over that plays frequently as well! "If you build it they will come" I guess. Agreed. Unless they are actually renting the tables (or there is a super special deal between the Ganger and the owner), they have no right to restrict space they aren't using. And if someone doesn't show up on time, to dang bad. He has no more right to control your enjoyment of the game then you have to control his. All of this as well. No one tells me when to roll dice except me.
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Post by HubertJFarnsworth on Apr 13, 2018 15:21:32 GMT
[No one tells me when to roll dice except me. Opponent: Okay that breaks armor, roll your Tough. kaernak: YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO! *hurls own model at the wall* Sorry, couldn't resist. ---- It might be worth trying to talk to this PG and the owner at the same time and see if you can figure out why they're doing things this way. I want to say "surely the owner wants more players" but I've seen too many players-turned-owners who just don't have any business sense to assume that. If you're lucky though you might be able to at least reason with them too. Otherwise, yea, just start playing with other people, he can't dictate who or when you play unless you let him. If a table isn't being used no one can stop you from using it except the owner.
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kaernak
Junior Strategist
Either pray to Menoth or feel his fury. You'll burn either way.
Posts: 172
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Post by kaernak on Apr 13, 2018 16:07:56 GMT
[No one tells me when to roll dice except me. Opponent: Okay that breaks armor, roll your Tough.
kaernak: YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO! *hurls own model at the wall*Sorry, couldn't resist. ---- It might be worth trying to talk to this PG and the owner at the same time and see if you can figure out why they're doing things this way. I want to say "surely the owner wants more players" but I've seen too many players-turned-owners who just don't have any business sense to assume that. If you're lucky though you might be able to at least reason with them too. Otherwise, yea, just start playing with other people, he can't dictate who or when you play unless you let him. If a table isn't being used no one can stop you from using it except the owner. You joke. I forgot to roll tough checks for a whole game. My opponent was baffled. The next game I rolled all the tough checks and made none of them so.......
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crimsyn
Junior Strategist
Posts: 389
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Post by crimsyn on Apr 13, 2018 16:32:05 GMT
Crow, it sounds like the problem is that your group is full of asshats. There is just so much stupidity there that if it weren’t for the fact that it would hurt you and other new players, I would say they deserve to have their meta wither and die around them and not be able to get a game.
Of course, they would find some way to blame PP for it, rather than look in the mirror.
I like to think that most WMH players aren’t asshats like this, and I enjoy showing new players the ropes.
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