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My local hobby store, that I support and purchase most all of my gaming supplies from, has a seriously uppity group of gamers. There are a lot of people that are up at the shop most of the days of the week. And trust me... it's the weird kind of constantly hanging out, not the healthy meet up with some friends. Most of the gamers do know what they're talking about when it comes to gaming, but a lot of them are so socially awkward that your eye tend to glaze over within the first two minutes of listening to them.

What is even worse, is that the store does not do a good enough job of advertising tournaments and other events. Since there isn't any attempt to reach out to the community, you're generally stuck seeing the same people at a tournament. Over the years I've stopped playing at the shop because I can't stand most of the regulars. I'd attend the store more if they'd recognize players such as myself and friends, who spend quite a bit of money there but not time.

It's just frustrating to not attend the shop's gaming center because of a few random nerds that I'd rather just avoid. Back when I first got into gaming, I was up there on a weekly basis and playing games and socializing. But I slowly lost interest because of how arrogant, immature, or socially slowed most of the players are.

Does anyone else have this same kind of situation?

Out of curiosity, how many gamers do they regularly have at these tournaments?

Honestly, I'd try to be friendly with them, unless you have a whole lot of other options available to you.

Find yourself a better class of losers.

No reason to tolerate the untouchable.

It sounds like you changed man. IT's always been the same group, then you changed and it's kinda like the aspergers episode of south park.

The first gaming store I went to in Boston had an awful, awful gaming group. I branched out and formed my own. After that fell apart (due to college being, well, college), I joined a new group recently and so far it's been awesome.

In other words, if your local gaming group sucks, make your own! Then let it decay and fall apart then join someone else's

Are there any other stores in your area? I would try these out.

The store at which I have gamed on a regular basis since the first opened in 1994 gets that way once in awhile. Then some new people come in and it starts to thin out. Right now the Monday 40K night has been taken over by Warmahordes nerds, who seem nerdy even to 40K players. I still show up, but most of the time I just end up painting, because the few people who show up to play 40K have already arranged a game with somebody, or are newbs who only have 500-750 points and take four hours to play a game with that because they don't know the rules.

Unfortunately, the store I'm referring to is of the best of three shops in town. Granted, I have not been to the most recently opened shop... but it's pretty far out of my way to go game there.

On average, you'll see 12-15 of the regulars that I was referring to, at a tournament. It's a pretty big shop and services most of the municipality where I live.

I have two close friends that I game with on a weekly basis at a home. We've built our own gaming table and terrain for WHFB and 40K. We've often expressed interest in welcoming a fourth player into our group, so I think actually forming our own gaming group would be the best choice.

Brother SRM wrote:...if your local gaming group sucks, make your own!

Agreed. Forming my own game group is one of the best gaming decisions I've ever made.

Even if playing at home isn't an option, just because you use a game store to game in, doesn't mean you necessarily have to use their in-house-mutants. Put up ads for players, check forums, or just spend a bit of time at the FLGS to identify the halfway normal players, get thier contact info and setup games in advance.

You can do it!

You may want to look up the definition of "uppity". Judging by your comments about the kids hanging out at the shop, you may fit the definition more than they do.

CptJake wrote:You may want to look up the definition of "uppity". Judging by your comments about the kids hanging out at the shop, you may fit the definition more than they do.

Agreed

warpcrafter wrote:The store at which I have gamed on a regular basis since the first opened in 1994 gets that way once in awhile. Then some new people come in and it starts to thin out. Right now the Monday 40K night has been taken over by Warmahordes nerds, who seem nerdy even to 40K players. I still show up, but most of the time I just end up painting, because the few people who show up to play 40K have already arranged a game with somebody, or are newbs who only have 500-750 points and take four hours to play a game with that because they don't know the rules.

You know...or you could teach those 'newbs' how to play so it doesn't take 4 hours, and welcome them into the hobby. The majority of those normal gamers you love to game with were inducted into our subculture of sorts by someone along the way who took the time to show them the rules, how to act at a game store (not explicitly, by example) and all the other trappings. Young gamers, although annoying at times, ARE the next crop for the hobby.

Just look at all those guys that are 40-50 and have been in the hobby since it began (the 80's I believe). They've seen many a crop of young, snot nosed brats become the normal locals I'd bet. Heck, I've been playing from 12/13 to 25 now, and have seen (and probably been) a part of that cycle.

Kilgore19d wrote:My local hobby store, that I support and purchase most all of my gaming supplies from, has a seriously uppity group of gamers. There are a lot of people that are up at the shop most of the days of the week. And trust me... it's the weird kind of constantly hanging out, not the healthy meet up with some friends. Most of the gamers do know what they're talking about when it comes to gaming, but a lot of them are so socially awkward that your eye tend to glaze over within the first two minutes of listening to them.

What is even worse, is that the store does not do a good enough job of advertising tournaments and other events. Since there isn't any attempt to reach out to the community, you're generally stuck seeing the same people at a tournament. Over the years I've stopped playing at the shop because I can't stand most of the regulars. I'd attend the store more if they'd recognize players such as myself and friends, who spend quite a bit of money there but not time.

It's just frustrating to not attend the shop's gaming center because of a few random nerds that I'd rather just avoid. Back when I first got into gaming, I was up there on a weekly basis and playing games and socializing. But I slowly lost interest because of how arrogant, immature, or socially slowed most of the players are.

Does anyone else have this same kind of situation?

first of all, Please don't bypass the swear filter like this please. Thanks ! reds8n


But then, theres this: This is a geeks game, not a normal persons.

You've got to expect, that as much as most of us are the kind of players who can talk to another person, who are friendly and who can speak without stuttering to women/people who don't have an interest in the game. [I'm not putting women in there to sneer, I'm just saying that in most cases, the one girl in my gaming group is shunned because the people here can't talk to her. ]

ANYWAY, Me personally, I'm a social guy, so I get on with everyone. I don't mind it if people are snobbish, and usually I can overlook it and play them.
In the situation you have, it seems like the people there aren't all that willing to play with you. This is rather normal, and its the same at My LGS. [I won't say FLGS, because I'm definantly not in the in-crowd.]

If people are uncomfortable to play with you, then soldier on. either you'll end up having a good game or you'll have a bad one. The best way to fix a social problem is always [and I mean always, regardless of its delicacy.] is to rush at it like a bull at the gate. Perservere, and they'll learn to tolerate you.

Of course, I'm assuming you're a fairly easy going kind of person. If you're not, nuts.

There's nothing I can suggest really, so take my ramblings for what they're worth.

warpcrafter wrote:The store at which I have gamed on a regular basis since the first opened in 1994 gets that way once in awhile. Then some new people come in and it starts to thin out. Right now the Monday 40K night has been taken over by Warmahordes nerds, who seem nerdy even to 40K players. I still show up, but most of the time I just end up painting, because the few people who show up to play 40K have already arranged a game with somebody, or are newbs who only have 500-750 points and take four hours to play a game with that because they don't know the rules.

Awww, chucks, and you seem such a nice guy to play with too, that can't be the reason why you don't get any oponents to play against.

CptJake wrote:You may want to look up the definition of "uppity". Judging by your comments about the kids hanging out at the shop, you may fit the definition more than they do.

Trust me. My use of the term is on point. I'm also referring to a generalized group of people with a range of ages, not just "kids".

By no means am I uppity, in fact I'm actually very calm, relaxed, open, and friendly when it comes to gaming. I'm not a recluse either, and I'm pretty forward in commencing conversations with total strangers.

I do however get very frustrated and rude toward individuals who are self-absorbed, have bad attitudes for no reason, and don't have the ability to reason. Sure I can also get frustrated with people who don't know the rules at all, but yet have a habit of defining rules. I think if you took a poll you'd find that a situation like that would frustrate a number of people.

You should see this thread more as a sign of my disappointment of not being able to enjoy my local gaming area because of a general group of people. Not that no one wants to play with me (which isn't the case). Yes, I know I have to weigh my options. Potentially I have to suck it up and put up with the people, or I need to become content with my weekly gaming with only two other people.

You said they were:

There are a lot of people that are up at the shop most of the days of the week. And trust me... it's the weird kind of constantly hanging out, not the healthy meet up with some friends. Most of the gamers do know what they're talking about when it comes to gaming, but a lot of them are so socially awkward that your eye tend to glaze over within the first two minutes of listening to them.

Nothing there indicates 'uppiity'. I does convey your disdain for them. Unfortunately, it conveys it in such a way (calling them weird, strange, socially awkward) that does make you come across as a little uppity. Maybe you used poor word choice, maybe not. Reading other posts I think I am not the only one you gave that impression to.

Who even uses the term uppity anymore regardless of correctness? Is your gaming group a bunch of wives from the 1950s?

If there's a salvageable sub-group, maybe try to start by picking one night during the week and run some sort of loose, informal 'event' that promotes your desired behavior?

For example, say that every Thursday will be "Reverse Army Campaign Night" and have an event (with store approval) where players are matched up and play small games... But with the opponent's armies. Set a low point value with a plan to up it every couple of months.

The small games mean it's inclusive.The 'building' aspect makes it theoretically valuable to the store. The 'switch armies' aspect makes it much more casual... If a Player comes in with a hard-core min-maxed Space Wolves they might have to use the 'purely for fun' Tyranids someone has been trying to build because they think they look neat.

This is just an idea, of course, and probably has some massive flaw I'm not seeing. But it's an idea...

if people don't want to play, their loss.

CptJake wrote:You said they were:

There are a lot of people that are up at the shop most of the days of the week. And trust me... it's the weird kind of constantly hanging out, not the healthy meet up with some friends. Most of the gamers do know what they're talking about when it comes to gaming, but a lot of them are so socially awkward that your eye tend to glaze over within the first two minutes of listening to them.

Nothing there indicates 'uppiity'. I does convey your disdain for them. Unfortunately, it conveys it in such a way (calling them weird, strange, socially awkward) that does make you come across as a little uppity. Maybe you used poor word choice, maybe not. Reading other posts I think I am not the only one you gave that impression to.

I agree. Without any specific examples it comes across as the OP is the uppity, snobish one that does not like the majority of players, and they are the ones that need to change.

And the comment later, of "We have been thinking about inviting a 4th" really does not help. It is like who ever the 4th is deemed worthy, then it is better than getting selected in to the most selective Frats, and secrete socities.