Need 5 players to practice run my GenCon game

I'll be running a Deadlands Classic module at GenCon. It'll be the first time I'm running a game at a con, and I haven't run this module before (just played it). I'm looking for 5 players who'd like to join me via VOIP (having a webcam strongly preferred). We'll run this like a con game: 4 hours, a short break or two, I'll have the character sheets for you to pick from, and I'll explain how the game plays. Mainly, I wanna just make sure I have a hang of the timing to see if I need to cut any scenes or make any scene longer. I'll probably run it with 1-2 of the more minor scenes left out; I figure makes more sense to try running it short, then expand if necessary.

So if you're willing, I'll be running the game this Sunday (June 24th), 3PM EST to 7PM EST. I'll actually consider the game to have a hard cut off at 7, though if you want to hang around and give me feedback, I'd welcome it. I'm aiming to make the gameplay 2.5 hours total, leaving half an hour for breaks, half an hour to explain rules, and half an hour for slowdowns of whatever kind.

That sounds great. New to Deadlands, but I'd definitely be interested.

Whether you know the game or not, the setting or not, no big deal! I'll be teaching it, just as I will at the con.

I was kind of hoping you'd say that. :-)

It'll be good practice for me as well. AcadeCon in November will be my first gaming con and the first time gaming with folks I don't know personally.

That's exciting! It's weird at first, for sure, but I've found most people at cons, specially smaller ones like AcadeCon, are pretty chill.

Ooooooh i would love to but i am usually away from my house on sunday.

I wish I could participate but that's 3-7am for me. I'll either be asleep or working. Best of luck at GenCon!

I would love to participate. My IRL troupe has Deadlands on our rotation, but I've never played yet. Count me in!

Looks like I have to reschedule some timings here... Sunday evening has been occupied, so maybe 1-5 on Sunday? Or if Saturday isn't too crappy, 8PM to 12AM on Saturday? Otherwise, the following weekend.

Works for me. Is Classic Deadlands the one that uses/originated Savage Worlds? I think I've got the PDF for that one somewhere.

Well if my star Wars game gets rescheduled i might be about to play this Saturday.

It doesn't quite use Savage Worlds, though it's similar. I don't know the exact timelines, but I believe it predated.

Ideally, I'd like to get 5 players, though I can work with 4 and build in some time in the RL game for a 5th (I have 5 players showing up).

This coming works for me, any of the proposed times, but the following weekend wouldn't.

I was sick this weekend; sorry for the lack of updates. Given the short time, I'm setting Sunday, July 31st, 3pm ET to 7pm ET. Please let me know if you can join. Sorry Qralloq :( I'll look into running a game here on GP or doing another live game so you can join in.

Sounds good.

No problem, best of luck with it and with the GenCon game whoop whoop!

Still super excited about the chance to try out Deadlands.

Hey, can I join? I'm looking at checking out some other RPGs.

I think you're player number 2. Know anybody else who's available?

I might have one more person. I'll ask them.

Got a third via Twitter. Just need 2 more.

Just a reminder that I need 2 more people.

So, are we using a particular technology to do the webcam/voice stuff? Skype? Google Hangouts? Roll20? Or is there actually a video conferencing software called VOIP that I'm just not hip to?

I guess more importantly, if we're unable to drum up another player, do you still want to run it?

I'll run it either way. As for tech, I gotta test something on roll 20, otherwise, any tech works for me.

Ok, I think we have 4. We're going to try Roll20, as it has card decks built in, but I've never run a game on Roll20 before. Just join this link: https://app.roll20.net/join/1558582/zDuQ2A

Ready to go. How are we doing this?

Awesome

We had a few technical hiccups, but I think overall the game was a lot of fun. It was great to meet you all.

We were looking for some feedback to help with a live con game, so here goes:
-GM screen with the hit chart, etc (the hit chart lookup didn't take super long, but it's easy to streamline)

-There were a lot of scientists to keep track of in the main train car, plus the rep we were supposed to be on the lookout for. It offered a variety of people to interact with, but if any of them aren't strictly necessary, it could help to cut one or two out. We didn't really get into the thing with the Hellstrom representative, either. That said, if you get a really RP heavy group, that scene could be a lot of fun if the players really get into it.

-For the Priest specifically, the pacifist hindrance wasn't a big deal. Once you'd explained that it wasn't a flat refusal, but rather a last resort, it worked out well.

-Since it's for a con, I'd recommend pre-filling the strength in the damage listing for melee weapons (3d8+2d6, as opposed to STR+2d6)

-Also for the Priest, I didn't realize what the Leadership skill could do until we were into the combat. It's a cool option, especially paired with the pacifism. He could totally be the bard of the party. At the con, I'd take a minute to go over each of the skills the character has, even it takes an extra minute or two.

-Since you're dealing with a large number of dice, it would be helpful to have a pool of dice available in case people don't have enough d#'s with them at the con. I'd imagine many people won't have their whole dice collections with them.

I think the technology worked against us a bit. I think running it live will help with the time for dice rolling, the card deck, etc. You mentioned you're already planning to put together notes for yourself and the players in a way that gathers the information in a more sensible manner (not having to scroll through the PDF to find the NPCs, etc). That should help as well.

The flavor of the system and the setting is awesome, and I really enjoyed the game. I think you'll have a great time. Thanks for running it for us, Ro!

-Richard (OrigamiSamurai)

Thanks a lot for the feedback!

That was a fun game. I definitely want to play more of that in the future.