Gaming in the Quarantine

Right now we’re all doing our part to keep our distance and be responsible.
Doesn’t mean we can’t get some gaming in too, right?

So, today marks the twenty-something day of isolation, and dare I share a controversial opinion? This sucks. March has pooped in my shoes and now April is going to throw my cereal into the garbage disposal. I’ve been informed that a lot of other people are feeling that way, too. Which I suppose is good; It means lots of people are taking this situation seriously and not being dum-dums who’ll get lots of people sick. Right? Right. So while we’re all doing out part and staying the heck home, it does mean that my favorite hobby of tabletop gaming is kind of… Difficult. So, here are some ways that I’ve kept myself sane and how YOU can get some gaming in while waiting for things to suck less.

Option One: Digital Platforms

Well, duh, obviously. Zoom, Roll20, Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger. It’s not like how it was ten years ago - You can reliably talk to your friends without Skype crashing every ten minutes! It’s lovely, really. Currently, I’ve been playing with the incredibly beefy Roll20, which allows for amazing maps and elements that are great for all sorts of games - not just D&D! It works beautifully for City of Mist or whatever other game you’d be interested in running. Perhaps Kids on Bikes?

Option Two: Play By Posts

Okay, we’re going way back. No, further. Past Obama. Past the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Past the vaulted doors where impossible things may happen… Play by Posts! This is a tried and true way for people to get their gaming fixes in when they’re without ways to get around the table. My personal favorite is the grandpappy of them all, Myth Weavers, a forum (god, remember those things?) dedicated to gaming. This is a bit more intensive than simply rolling up a character - you might actually have to remember how to type and break out those creative writing skills - but if you’re looking for something a bit more snappy, why not check out Discord? Still play-by-posting for sure, but a bit easier on the… Y’know, thinky bits.

Option Three: Social Media

Do you know the work of B. Dave Walters? For those you who don’t know: He is incredibly tall, incredibly handsome, and runs some amazing games on QueueTimes and Geek and Sundry. So, why bring him up? Because - at the time of writing this - he’s taken it upon himself to make some really cool gaming moves, including running a Vampire the Masquerade 5th Edition game through Twitter! That’s right, social media for gaming! It’s a strange idea on the surface, but those who remember Role Playing in chatrooms (oh god I’m so old) should be able to get a grip on it. Just be comfortable gaming in public first, alright?

Option Four: Podcasts

Okay, okay, shameless plug aside: Just the act of listening to people around the table, digital or not, gives me that endorphin (or is it dopamine?) rush because it staves off the loneliness that’s inherent in these trying times. My personal favorites are the incredibly popular Adventure Zone, obviously, but also smaller fare such as Shattered Sky, Games of Rassilon, or Champions of the Earth. Oh, and I guess we do one as well that you should check out. Just, y’know, if you’re cool. Whatever.

Option Five: Twitch

You knew it was coming eventually, right? Obviously we all want to play, but sometimes just being in a chatroom with people who are equally invested in the drama and conflama of an RPG’s soap-opera plot and characters is just as rewarding and social. We have plenty we love, from Happy Jack’s Idolon Academy to HyperRPG’s KOLLOK 1991. Or hey, maybe even my own with New Pantheon over at Saving Throw Show oh whoops who put that shameless plug in there hahaha…

The sad truth is nothing can replace the feeling of having your friends around the table rolling dice and talking smack and smooching dragons. However, sometimes you have to put the greater good - and more importantly your own health and the health of others - above fun. It sucks, but it’s okay because you are not alone. We are all doing this together, and we will all come out on the other side. Games We Never Play will keep updating and keep trying to keep you entertained through these hard times. I promise. We promise.