New Year New Games

Each year, I try to play and run new games. Sometimes they make it into the permanent rotation, sometimes they do not, but it has been a part of my gaming life since the very start, as the group I grew up with were always open to try new things. 

This year, I'm trying out something new, I'm going to sit with my gaming group and planning to discuss their expectations and wishes for the next year in terms of gaming.

There are a couple of reasons for this, the first is that 2 of my players may be taking a break from the gaming table. They already drive over an hour to come to play with us each week, but life changes mean that that may not be feasible for the next while (maybe years).

Secondly, one of my players has stepped back from or Masks of Nyarlathotep campaign as she is already playing the same campaign with another group. I have suggested ways round this, but she prefers not to make her life complicated by playing in both, and I respect that decision.

So that would mean I'd be 3 players down, and I'd go from a regular 6, to a group of 3. This in itself is not a huge issue, but one of those three is usually available for 2 sessions out of three due to other commitments, making my group under half strength, which would really kill the campaign. I do have another player who would like to rejoin us, but at that point, we're only keeping 2 out of the original 6 players/characters at the table. Possible, but not ideal.

Secondly, there is a discussion to be had at our table about pacing. 6 players is a lot, I would also say that for many games it is too many players. This leads to pacing issues at the table. Everyone is there for the game, but the table can get sidetracked easily, and it makes for larger campaigns and more serious games getting derailed. 

So I'm thinking of this discussion as being as a Session Zero for the year. I want to discuss how people are feeling about the current pacing at the table. A recent game of Deathmatch Island ran really well, and the pacing was fine, but the current Delta Green one shot has gone over three sessions, when I though it'd be done in one and a half. 

I also want to discuss what games people want to play. Another reason for moving away from Masks, is that I am also getting side tracked by the other games on my shelf. If we are going to move away from that campaign, I want it to be a move to games that people want to play, and have the current headspace to play. 

Once we've had out discussion, I'll be sure to update you all on what games or campaigns we plan to play/run/try in the upcoming year.

What about you, have you ever tried this type of planning? What games are you planning for the New Year?