What I got from the Open House
Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 3:12 pm
This was my first Palladium Open House. I've haven't been playing this system for too long, but am running a Rifts game. My goal in going to this Open House, besides having a great time gaming and making some new friends, was to solidify my understanding of the rules and make sure I was "getting it right". After years and years of D&D, the transition has been a little awkward.
What I learned is that I already had it right; there is no "getting it wrong". I played in several games this weekend, including Kevin's Aftermath, and I ran several games of my own, and I didn't come across a single "rules lawyer". When I'd run a D&D game, there was often the endless discussion of rules, etc.... And I've found that it just doesn't seem to happen much with Rifts/HU/etc.... I was wondering if that was because my players and me just weren't familiar enough with the system (yet), or if that's just how the system is. I now believe it's the latter.
I also had the pleasure of meeting some really cool people and exchanged some great gaming stories, as well as some campaign ideas. My girlfriend and I drove to the Open House from Boston and, at the OH, I met a fellow gamer who happens to lives a half hour away from me and is interested in joining my campaign. Small world!
At one point, I actually caught Kevin S standing by himself so I got to chat with him for a couple minutes. He signed some of my books for me, and there was even a photo opportunity!
The auction was a lot of fun. I enjoy collecting issues of the Rifter, so I was able to get a signed copy of #50.
I also enjoyed the Costume Contest. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to stick around for the winner; I had a game to run. (I still don't know who won!) Even though everyone looked great, my favorite was the Ley Line Walker! And I enjoyed the elementalist's fire and water act.
For those of you who don't know who I am (pretty much all of you, I'm guessing), I ran "Band of Bothers" and "Groundhog Day". I was fortunate to have a great group of players at my table, especially for "Band of Bothers" - you guys were a riot! And to the real-life truck driver who played the Operator in "Groundhog Day": you have dispelled the notion that the Operator is a useless O.C.C.!
So anyways.... great weekend, everyone! It was a pleasure meeting many of you and I look forward to a future Open House!
What I learned is that I already had it right; there is no "getting it wrong". I played in several games this weekend, including Kevin's Aftermath, and I ran several games of my own, and I didn't come across a single "rules lawyer". When I'd run a D&D game, there was often the endless discussion of rules, etc.... And I've found that it just doesn't seem to happen much with Rifts/HU/etc.... I was wondering if that was because my players and me just weren't familiar enough with the system (yet), or if that's just how the system is. I now believe it's the latter.
I also had the pleasure of meeting some really cool people and exchanged some great gaming stories, as well as some campaign ideas. My girlfriend and I drove to the Open House from Boston and, at the OH, I met a fellow gamer who happens to lives a half hour away from me and is interested in joining my campaign. Small world!
At one point, I actually caught Kevin S standing by himself so I got to chat with him for a couple minutes. He signed some of my books for me, and there was even a photo opportunity!
The auction was a lot of fun. I enjoy collecting issues of the Rifter, so I was able to get a signed copy of #50.
I also enjoyed the Costume Contest. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to stick around for the winner; I had a game to run. (I still don't know who won!) Even though everyone looked great, my favorite was the Ley Line Walker! And I enjoyed the elementalist's fire and water act.
For those of you who don't know who I am (pretty much all of you, I'm guessing), I ran "Band of Bothers" and "Groundhog Day". I was fortunate to have a great group of players at my table, especially for "Band of Bothers" - you guys were a riot! And to the real-life truck driver who played the Operator in "Groundhog Day": you have dispelled the notion that the Operator is a useless O.C.C.!
So anyways.... great weekend, everyone! It was a pleasure meeting many of you and I look forward to a future Open House!