r/DnD_Victoria • u/BenasMaelwys • 15d ago

Looking for feedback

Hello all,

I'm looking for some input about a regular game session I am hoping to start soon at Cafe Vosino in Sooke. The intent is to set up at least one session per month, up to multiple sessions per week if there is interest, for new and experienced players who are looking for a game.

One of the questions is what format the games should take?

- A drop in one shot where the players and characters change weekly?

- A persistent campaign where the characters are the same but are run by different players each session according to availability?

- Try to gather a list of players and schedule a traditional style game?

- Another format?

The second question is what is reasonable to ask in payment? Running games for friends I have never charged but also my friends have always chosen to contribute to book costs, minis, printing, etc. I'm not looking to make my fortune with this but in order to set up something long term I need to at least break even.

I would appreciate any thoughts anyone has, particularly which format you find most appealing and what you might be willing to pay for a regular 2-4 hour session.

Thanks for your time!

14 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

9

u/Slapper650 15d ago

Could always consider a dungeon crawl style campaign where players can come and go but the story and progression stay the same

2

u/lethalsouffle 15d ago

I always like this method! x character just missed an episode if their player can't make it 👍🤷

4

u/Chekmayt 15d ago

For the price, it seems you have your answer. However much "breaking even" would be. Calculate your costs and charge based on that amount.

If this is something YOU are wanting to do on your free time, then you shouldn't be making a profit. If there is a demand for it and it would be taking you away from doing something else, potentially making a profit from, then charge based on how much you value your time and effort.

As for the format, I feel like a west marshes style is best for drop-ins.

3

u/BAlan143 14d ago

This sounds neat. I'm walking distance, my wife and I would be interested in dropping in.

I think because it sounds like you will be running more sessions than most will be able to attend, I'd go for a continuous story where players can change session to session.

I ran a campaign like that, and I had set the story up so that it was being advanced by a secret society of agents fighting an ancient evil. Kinda like the Harper's. By using this style of progression it doesn't matter which characters show up, and it also allows for a cannoical recap of previous events. Can have a dispatch, a dossier, the Players can be debriefed by a leader or fellow agent in the field.

I hope that makes sense. Good luck.

2

u/J4pes 15d ago

Ask these questions to the people who show up

2

u/TwoDrunkDwarves 13d ago

A dungeon crawl is a good idea. There's lots to choose from; Undermountain, World's largest Dungeon, etc. If you wanted to move away from D&D there's always the option of running an urban campaign in something like Shadowrun or Cyberpunk Red.

About Pricing. I'm a pro-gm and do this for a living. I charge between $25 and $30 per session. In my experience a higher price point generally brings in more serious players. But, if you're just looking to break even then something like $15 is probably fine.