Two games or not two games, that is the question

[Zardoz]

OK chaps, I'm now going to start sounding like a bl00dy 'teacher'..... But let's try to bottom out this issue of overcrowded games....

Fact... we now regularly get between 7 and 9 players.
Fact... most RPG's can only run with 3+ players & a GM.
FACT (well, in my opinion)... 3-4 players are perfect, 6 is the utter max. Any more and the game suffers badly.


Using the above, if we get 8+ people turn up then we have enough for two games and too much for one game. Ergo, IMHO I think we should actively strive to run two games wherever there are enough players, eg by adopting the following rule.

If 4-7 people turn up, then one game runs
If 8+ players turn up, then two games MUST run.
 
GM's need to optimise their scenarios for 3-5 players. We run a 'main' campaign and the second games are one - shot stuff, or a campaign that can cope with players hopping in and out or long gaps between play. As an alternative to a second RPG we could also try boardgames or other diversions. We should only ever have the main campaign 'maxed out on players' if the GM can cope AND no-one else has managed to bring an alternative. And even then, positions first go to those registering on this site via a weekly "who's coming' round up.

GM's with one - shots can alternately dip out of the 'main campaign' to facilitate a second game on a rotating basis so that they don't miss out on playing themselves.

If we regulalry start to get between 8 and 10 players then we run two stable campaigns.
 
OK, that's it for me.

[Zardoz]

Just to add to this, and to tease out the lurkers..... I'm going to assume that a nil response is acceptance !

Arn't I a stinker 

[Ross]

I do agree with the above, and although I could be viewed as part of the problem- being a relative newcomer, I will endeavor to help out by starting to bring some one-shot stuff.

I do think we need to try and vary the secondary GM- otherwise we won't all get to enjoy Adam's excellent game. Perhaps an informal rota could be agreed for GMing the secondary game, if required by prospective GMs posting their intentions here?

Ross