I just wanted to put down some thoughts "on paper" based on our conversation last night. I think if you want to overhaul your setup down there, many (most?) of your regular gamers would be willing to step up and help with time/sweat/money to make it happen.
Things we talked about:
New table ideas:
- Fortify current table and/or level the playing surface too
- build a 4x8 flush-top
- build a 4x8 sunk-top
- build a 4x4 side table; could be used to expand main table into 4x12, could be used on the side, or for smaller game nights could be used in the center
- Power wired into the table - undersides, on the legs, etc
- Data cabling port on the table - primarily to support bandwidth for camera use
- A/V cabling ports on table - connect a laptop to camera inputs, audio outputs (re-use your upstairs sound system?)
- Cupholders to keep liquids off - trays to keep food plates off too?
General area ideas:
- Remove shelves/models to widen the area
- permanent camera mounts in ceiling locations - purchase/install software capable of using multiple cameras, remote end controls, for better remote experience
- Get rid of old worn-out furniture
- Take up a collection, buy new furniture at Thrift Store?
- Require all regular guests to purchase their own chair, stored behind the curtain when they are not in attendance
- Chairs vs. Couches? Rolling chairs = Probably easiest to rearrange with
- How to handle infrequent guests - loaner chair(s)?
- Mount TV/Monitor on the wall
- Setup "dinner station" where food can be served from instead of putting it on tabletop
- Change Wi-Fi password to minimize use of internet and distractions it causes during play sessions. Consider implementing "no Effing around" rules for sessions, except during dinner breaks?
We also discussed possibly setting up a date where everyone shows up to help with the heavy lifting parts of the project - carrying out dead furniture, moving shelves, cleaning floors, assembling table(s), etc. Suggest planning this at least 4-6 weeks in advance to maximize attendance. Maybe a spring BBQ?
Tim - this is all from memory jotted down throughout the day today... feel free to chime in with other stuff I might have forgotten?
Bruce - Hope this is useful? If you want a little (or a lot) of help on this, one of my primary skill sets is project management - I would be happy to lend those skills here to improve the gaming experience for everyone.
that first bit was from an email Matt sent me... Now i am looking for input from my other gaming friends, the Tuesday Group in particular, but also the long lost Sunday group. any thoughts, comments ?
i thought of using the present table as a dinner table, to keep food off the new table I'll be setting up.
anyone got any thoughts?
I am in favor of improving things, especially if you are wanting to do it.
ReplyDeleteAre you thinking the flush top/sunk top would be the same table with lift out panels? A 4x4 side/expansion table also seems like a cool idea. If we could manage storage drawers (thinking something like one of those cube stacks with the canvas drawers) for regular players to leave dice, minis, supplied, etc., that would be great and should help with keeping the table clean.
Durable and comfortable folding chairs can be purchased for around $20 each. A wall mounted rack that holds 12-15 chairs costs around $80.
Power at/around the table is handy. Not sure about the WiFi thing. It is handy to be able to look up rules and such. Also Hero Lab will be moving to the online model for Starfinder and I expect the same for Pathfinder v.2.
My biggest concern is funding the project. There are some players that will likely not be able to contribute monetarily. How many possible contributers are we looking at? 12-15 or so?
I'm thinking a new table, i've been to home depot looking at lumber, and have tapped my brother to build it.
DeleteI'm thinking everyone being responsible for their own chairs, comfort being a personal thing and all.
We are thinking of mounting a switch/hub and CAT cables so the wifi isn't slowed to the point of uselessness.
I'll be moving the existing table to the side for eating at, to keep the new table clean.
We could also just use a whole gaming Tuesday for moving and setup
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