Newbie in need

[asianmommy]

Ok, so, I've been lurking around this week posting here or there, but I've not ventured into the roleplay section yet.
Why?
::looks down at feet::
I've never really done any role playing.
(I was supposed to be part of a DnD game, but it only lasted two sessions, and the DMs were really bad. And a little bit of online RP with some people on GAIA) Other than that, I have no idea.

So, I guess my question is, what do you recommend to a newbie? or what should I know?

[Mike Taylor]

Originally, the forum was supposed to be for freeform role-playing. Basically interactive storytelling. However, its use has expanded to the discussion of both pen & paper/tabletop RPGs and computer/game console RPGs.

If you're getting into the hobby for the first time, especially the pen & paper side, start small. You don't need every book in the game line to get a decent picture of how it works. Beginning players typically only need one, while a GM usually starts out with two or three. Beyond that, a decent set of dice (each game will tell you which ones it uses) and good stock of pencils, paper, a ring-bound notebook, and a stapler.

What KIND of game are you looking to play? Think about this because play styles can vary dramatically. One group may focus on "kill them and take their stuff" while another may put more emphasis on intrigue and drama. The same question can be applied to the kind of setting you want to game in. Is it Tolkienesque fantasy? Space Opera (i.e. Star Wars)? Victorian Horror? Four-color Comic Book Heroes?

Something else you want to look at is the level of "crunch" in a game. The more "crunch" a game has, the more rules, charts, stats, and so on. The newer versions of D&D have a lot of "crunch" to them.

Eden Studios is a favorite gaming company of mine. They have a modern horror RPG called WitchCraft available as a free PDF file. That may or may not be your cup of tea, but a free game is always good. http://www.edenstudios.net/witchcraft/index.html

[Detritus]

I assume from your comments that you don't exactly have a pool of friends that paly DnD? all of the following are my suggestions, for what they're worth. these are based on the premise of starting from scratch with no pre-existing "good gaming group" to join (and is D&D-centric).

Find and visit any and all gaming shops in your area. see if any of them hold weekly "gaming nights" specificly of the RPGA kind. if one or more does hold weekly RPGA games, stop by and observe what going on at the sessions, talk to folks, etc. the gaming shops are one of the better places to try and get to know ore about the local gaming enviroment/culture, and thus are great places to find a group to play with.
regardless of what else, if you find you like playing, you'll wind needing a decent shop to buy your dice, books, etc.

have to say, if your interest is in D&D, getting into it the year the game receives a revamp will be interesting and possibly confusing. 4th edition drops later this year, and the RPGA is converting. But for a few years to come 3.5 will be the Edition most "Home" games are played in.

Btw the above advice is what I plan to do, when i get back around to trying to RP again. not only have i moved halfway across the country, but for a number of reasons, my last gaming group has parted ways, and i thik it's better that way.

personally i'd like to find a fairly laid back group of older (ie at least 30 or so) gamers, sticking with 3.5 in the raleigh NC area.

anyway that'smy take. for what little it's worth.

[asianmommy]

Um, truthfully, i have no idea.

I might just wanna try lots of stuff and figure out what I like... if i get the chance to.

[Mike Taylor]

Um, truthfully, i have no idea.

I might just wanna try lots of stuff and figure out what I like... if i get the chance to.

Well, there shouldn't be a shortage of gamers in the Orlando area.

Just a quick look on the web pulls up a place called Sci-Fi City that's at 6006 E Colonial Drive in Orlando.

meetup.com is a good place to look for fellow gamers down there as well.

[Mike Taylor]

I agree with Detritus about talking to the players. This serves two purposes. For one, it lets you know about the kind of game they are running. For another, it clues you in on the kind of people in the group. This way, you weed out the catpiss men and other creepy types before committing to play.