The Perils of Non-Gaming Friends

[dysjunct]

I think that we CoC players tend to be pretty "high-functioning" gamers, in that it's possible for us to interact normally with non-gamers and to even pass for normal in mixed society -- i.e. have conversations with no gaming references. Then again, I know that CoC players also tend to be elitist amongst gamers in general, but I digress....

At any rate, I went out for brunch last Sunday with a group of female friends who don't game. They know that I game, and they think it's weird, but they tolerate it as one of my various quirks.

We're having pleasant conversation, when one of them says to me:

Friend #1: "Hey, do you want to come over next Sunday and cook?"

Me: "Ah, actually I can't. I'm busy Sunday nights."

Friend #1: <confused look>

Friend #2: <disapprovingly> "It's his game night."

Friend #3: "Oh yeah! What's that thing you play? Call... Call...."

Me: <nervous sideways glances, not wanting to out myself in public>

Friend #3: "Call of Caligula?"

Me: <choke on coffee and lose 1d6 Sanity as I desparately try to shut out visions of an RPG emphasizing vomitoriums, incestual orgies, equine senators, midget gladiators....>

It occurs to me as I write this that the above RPG may have already been written and reviewed. Hmmm.

Anyway, this has nothing to do with anything, except I thought it was funny.

[Klarkashton]

It can get worse. I was once out with the players in my CoC group.
We were in a theater watching a play (our GM's girlfriend was in the
play). During intermission we started discussing the game saying
things like "Never let them live" (talking about the nasty spell
casters who may come back and attack you again). Suddenly, we
became aware the people in the audience around us were giving
us strange looks. Oops. "It's just a game" we said, trying to fast
talk our way out of trouble. Very embarassing.

[vebor]

Friend #3: "Call of Caligula?"

Me: <choke on coffee and lose 1d6 Sanity as I desparately try to shut out visions of an RPG emphasizing vomitoriums, incestual orgies, equine senators, midget gladiators....>

www.fatalgames.com

[Mithras]

It occurs to me as I write this that the above RPG may have already been written and reviewed. Hmm.

Thanks for that. I feel really, really sick. After looking at that horror, there is now blood pouring out of my eyes, nose, mouth and ears. I will seek oblivion with my trusty CoC(tm) .38 and blow my sorry brains out, as there is no hope for roleplaying or me.

[Cthulhudude]

Then again, I know that CoC players also tend to be elitist amongst gamers in general, but I digress....

Heh heh heh...guilty

[DrTerric]

Check out these two entries on the stigma of RPGing at self proclaimed "the least coherent encyclopaedia of playground insults on the internet"

http://www.playgroundlaw.com/cgi-bin/browse.pl?sid=4

http://www.playgroundlaw.com/cgi-bin/browse.pl?sid=547

Proof that although our ganming may result in some social embarassment, at least we're not going to have our bags thrown on top of a bus shelter because of it!

[delrio]

http://www.playgroundlaw.com/cgi-bin/browse.pl?sid=547

Oh my god, that's one of the funniest things I have ever read! And for some reason, the fact that the school bully in question is Welsh just makes it all that much funnier - I can almost hear the sing-song accent he would have done the taunting in... ROFL

Del Rio

[cynick]

I think that we CoC players tend to be pretty "high-functioning" gamers, in that it's possible for us to interact normally with non-gamers and to even pass for normal in mixed society -- i.e. have conversations with no gaming references. Then again, I know that CoC players also tend to be elitist amongst gamers in general, but I digress....

But how do you explain a 33 year old with a plush Cthulhu, Nyarlathotep and a Shoggoth lurking on his bed?

But you're right, at least I don't play FATAL.

[Nightshade]

I think that we CoC players tend to be pretty "high-functioning" gamers, in that it's possible for us to interact normally with non-gamers and to even pass for normal in mixed society -- i.e. have conversations with no gaming references.

I agree. Most of the CoC players I know can pass for normal. My problem now is my g/f *hates* RPGs and is shocked that I ever played.

It isn't that big of a deal because I don't have the time anymore to play; but if by some miracle I found free time and chose to indulge, I was informed that she will simply go clubbing on those nights. Not a fun scenario...

So for the forseeable future, I have to pass as normal almost all the time. Oh well, at least there is Yog-sothoth.com.

[MrFilthyIke]

So for the forseeable future, I have to pass as normal almost all the time. Oh well, at least there is Yog-sothoth.com.

I truly feel sorry for you. I married a gamer, the type of girl who plays games populated by guys who've never seen "A GIRL". I'm happy, a couple that games together, STAYS together. (

[Nightshade]

So for the forseeable future, I have to pass as normal almost all the time. Oh well, at least there is Yog-sothoth.com.

I truly feel sorry for you. I married a gamer, the type of girl who plays games populated by guys who've never seen "A GIRL". I'm happy, a couple that games together, STAYS together. (

LOL..You know, it isn't as bad as I made it sound! She is amazing, we just disagree about gaming!

[cjbowser]

I truly feel sorry for you. I married a gamer, the type of girl who plays games populated by guys who've never seen "A GIRL". I'm happy, a couple that games together, STAYS together. (

Other than myself, my entire gaming group is made up of gir...ummm, women.

[dogstar]

Ah I have a very secret identity, most of my friends don't know I game (or at least its not mentioned openly). Its not that I am ashamed, I am just fed up of trying to explain it.

And one girlfriend sought me out because I role played (although it wasn't the kind of role playing she had in mind. Never the less it lasted a while).

Lets face it nothing is more cringing than listening to the mess of someone actually trying to explain role playing in any meaningful way, to someone who doesn't or hasn't gamed.

Also I've never really bothered trying to explain it to a girlfriend, for the same reason, most have accepted that its 'my thing' without being overly interested... I've seen too many 'obligitory girlfriends' at games....

Mixing the two, never really had the chance....

[Gol-Goroth]

As for the gamer girls, I suppose I'm really lucky. About half of my CoC playteam are women, and they tend to be the smarter players too. I am married to a gamer girl. In truth she did start out as the "Girlfriend" at the game table. But she has become one of the best role players any of us know.

I have a recently divorced pal who is dating now and having problems. In our group girls game, but out in the real world they are rare. He has decided that he really wants to date another gamer. Apparently his last girlfriend really tore into him about his gaming with us. But we had our revenge, she's out of the picture and he's coming over saturday night to play CoC DA. HA!

But I want to give a big Shout Out to gamer chicks everywhere! You girls kick ass. Girls in a game add SO MUCH to the mix.

Osk, Minion #88.

[FunGuyfromYuggoth]

Part of the problem is the stereotype of the gamer as being socially-inept and lacking in any hobbies or interests outside of games. Part of the gaming community's problem is it's failure to communicate what is really important about why they play and get caught up in the minutiae, which comes across as insular to a lot of folks.

I always choose to describe my games as a type of acting, focusing on crazy situations and asking what you would do in that situation. Why be in the closet? If my friends ask what I do one Saturday night each month, I say, "I play Call of Cthulhu. It's a lot of fun, you should come by."