It’s probably no secret that I’m a bit of a gaming geek. As such, I’ve grown to enjoy reading Weregeeks, Alina Pete’s whimsical look into various forms of gaming (from live action roleplay to tabletop wargaming, and of course traditional tabletop roleplay as well), though I must admit I prefer it more when the comic focuses on the social aspects of gaming than in the subplot concerning the “Hunters” and the odd ability Pete’s geeks have to transform into some dark shadowy geek-monster (which is apparently more dangerous than it sounds on the surface).
But it was today’s comic that struck home for me, seeing that the tangent that distracted the gaming group in Pete’s story is something I must fight every time I run a game. Part of this lies with the fact gaming groups tend (in good times) to last for a number of years. I’ve been playing Advance Dungeons & Dragons with my friend Bill for well over a decade now, and started gaming back in the early 80s. Thirty years of roleplaying gives you a lot of stories… and it’s in the nature of a GM (and most gamers for that matter) to reminisce about past games and tell both new players and old of some of the antics you’ve gotten up to.
Amusingly, I’ve been struggling to keep my own AD&D game on track, especially as we don’t get together nearly as often as we once did… so every moment counts. At least, if we want to get any actual gaming done. I find that what I enjoy about gaming is being with friends and socializing… be it playing a part in the game, or reminiscing on the past. No doubt I’m not alone in this either; Pete does a good job of touching the heart of just what it is to be a gamer (seeing she is one herself), which will strike a chord for those gamers reading the comic, while giving the rest a glimpse at the camaraderie that is part and parcel of roleplaying.