The two primary methods for organising a game are to announce your availability / proposal on the official Whatsapp channel, or to do so in person in or around the game library.

 

We actively encourage and protect “Pre-Game” talk between potential players.

 

Gamers are enthusiastic people and the right game alone can do a lot to make your day, but gaming is also a social pastime and it is important to combine the right game with the right group of players for you. It is not considered rude to ask questions in order to ensure that the next two hours of your life will be fun for you, nor should you ever feel pressured into accepting a situation where you are uncomfortable because you feel a weight of expectation from the Con environment.

 

To this end, here are some example questions on how to ensure you let everyone know what you are looking for:

 

• Do you already know the game?

• Are you prepared to teach new players?

• How fast do you like to play?

• Are you very competitive?

• Are you someone who likes table talk or do you want a quiet experience?

• Do you want to know all the rules before we start or are you happy to learn as you go?

• Do you promise to put your phone down for the whole game?

• Will we allow “take backs” of moves and if so, when?

• We plan to get one round of drinks each during the play - are you able to participate?

 

I am sure it is clear that any big difference in any of these factors will cause friction between players and they should be established and resolved before you sit down with the game. 

 

Whilst it can be very rewarding to play with a range of people despite any small differences, it is just as acceptable to answer “no” or even “yes, but” instead of “yes” to any such questions - the organisers enthusiastically encourage honesty and openness.

 

We request that when it is established that players are not the right fit for each other, all parties should be comfortable accepting these differences and decline an offer to play. Where players have agreed to play a certain way and subsequently do not, a gentle reminder of the pre-game should be sufficient to resolve any issues.

 

NB: The LoBstercon Organisers are NOT social referees and are therefore not expected to police these interactions. We instead encourage all attendees to decide before they start how they would like to play and then hold each other to these agreements.