I would definitely be up for running some Tiny Triangles. It's not specifically a kid's game, but I don't think it's overly complicated. And its orthogonal stake setting system is lots of fun.

I've not run games for kids for a while. Did run some stuff at ORC in Edinburgh a while back. So if anyone has specific advice (any teachers on CE?), we'd love it.

I think that's a great idea, but there are a number of things you will probably want to be careful of.

Firstly I strongly suggest that you insist a parent, guardian or older sibling be present at the table while you play. Try and get them involved too might be a good thing, I know of quite a few gamer parents who'd like to play this kind of game with their kids but daren't because of common complexity. Mostly though it's for the protection of the games master. Dealing with other peoples' kids can be tricky at the best of times, and they are unpredictable little things.

Secondly, keep it somewhere public. This may not be so important if you can keep to point one above, but if you can't then it's absolutely essential. It only takes one brat to claim something... umm... irresponsible happened and that's you in very deep water indeed.

Thirdly, attention spans. Short. Keep things brief and to the point, and full of action. Not necessarily fighting, in fact you might want to steer away from that - take a leaf out of A Faery's Tale and try and concentrate on the helpful things that the kids could do. Don't want anyone thinking we're filling kids' heads full of violent ideas. That's TELEVISION'S job :D

I daresay there's plenty I've not thought of, but I think these particular points are important, especially the first two. You can't be too careful in today's legal landscape, and you can't rely on other people to be noble, honest and fair just because you are. Role Playing has a quirky public image to begin with, and it's the kind of thing that negative press latches onto regardless of the story, just because it's a little different and it makes for an 'angle'. Trust me, I used to be a journalist, I know how their minds work.

With all these cautionary notes said though, I think that it's a great idea provided that it is approached with plenty of forethought.

Ash

I'd also point out that Conpulsion is not well known for having lots of kids present (neither are most gaming cons in fact). Barring those who sometimes come for specific GGC tournaments (and have no RP interest by and large) it is rare to see more than a couple of kids below 15, so there may not be a big market for this except players you bring yourself ... which does not a con schedule make :)

What age group were you aiming at?

http://www.solipsist-rpg.com/

I seem to remember a fair few kids running around Games Expo last year, maybe it would be a better idea for then instead? Of course there's nothing stopping anyone having games for kids prepared and running them on an ad hoc basis if the opportunity arises.

Ash

Well, no, not that strong. But I don't think they should be encouraged to come to conventions. When I'm playing games, I don't want to be thinking "Oh, can I say this with a 10-year-old next to me"?

Also, all the kids I've played with have been teenage brats who wanted to shoot everything.

So, well, yes. Do go ahead, and I hope it goes well, but I wanted to give the counterpoint.

Graham

That's the same self-censor that should activate when you're around complete strangers. You never know who mind find your topic or the strength of your speech offensive. Many of us forget this, myself included.

I think not involving kids in RPGs is one of the many reasons that our hobby is tiny and full of socially maladjusted people. In my experience, gamers don't have a clue how to handle kids, and are frightened of them, as they represent adult (gasp!) responsibility. That's something I think lots of people could do with moving away from.

Anyway, we're not talking about getting kids to come play Kill Puppies For Satan. We're talking about running a couple of kid games, for kids. I would hope you'd see that there's a benefit there.

Yes, because I've never met an adult gamer like that. Ever.

I appreciate that! I still think it's a good idea. I have a lot of kid experience and an Enhanced Disclosure Scotland, so I'm happy to do it.

Don't give me line-by-line refutations and debating points. I'm happy to discuss this, but I'm not having an Internet argument about it.

Graham

My apologies. I thought that was how people discuss things. My mistake.

The only way Graham would find himself next to a child in a game at Conpulsion would be if he was running or playing in a "Children's game" - and with his 'I hate kids' statement I can't see why he would.

That's my question, Graham: how do you see yourself ending up in a children's game at Conpulsion? Or was it another way of saying you don't want to see kids AT ALL there?

I my mind "children" in this respect are pre-teens. The teenage brats that want to shoot everything are already attending the con - they're called gamers, and there will be at least a couple of them in every single game. They are very very hard to avoid at an event like this.

Per
http://darkplaces.squarespace.com

I introduced my two girls to gaming via A Faery's Tale. Over five sessions they brought Brightwood to the brink of war and then owned the Goblin King in his own backyard by using the boon system against him. Personally I blame Lord of the Rings.

Anyway, now they have sniff that there is going to be a Dr Who RPG. They're like rabid addicts in need of their next hit. Lara, the eldest, did a games creation lesson at school last week. What did she trot out apparently? 'Miss, does this game need playtesting?'.

Beware what you create with kids!

Obviously, from these examples I have no problem with kids and gaming. HOWEVER I really don't see what this has to do with us. If Pooka and others want to approach Gregor and the con organisers to run some fixed slot kids sessions thats cool. As none of the CE games I have seen or heard of are particularly kid-orientated (if they are, tell me so I can ween the two little addicts...) they aren't going to be doing anything based off the stall or our demo/play area.

Neil

Take the King's shilling at http://www.omnihedron.co.uk/dutyandhonour/

As I understand it, this thread is about whether we should specifically run games for children, perhaps as part of GOD or IFT. I'm saying: my preference is that we don't.

It's not just misanthropy, you understand. The sort of roleplaying games we play involve adult themes. I don't want to be playing Dogs In The Vineyard, describing women being impregnated with demons, with a group of kids at the table next to me.

If someone wants to run some games for children, outside GOD or IFT, that's fine by me. Equally, if we come to a group decision that games for children should be part of GOD, fine.

Graham

Neil,

I don't think any of the CE games suit kids particularly (though I know Gregor ran a bitchin' Best Friends sessions for kids aged 13-15).

I'm going to see about running some games for kids, outside of CE, GOD or IGT. I don't know if we're too late for the timetable. Whoever would like to get involved, please respond to this thread or by email to joe.r.murphy@gmail.com.

I'm personally happy to run games for kids aged, say, 12-15. If I do run Mouse Guard, it could suit younger kids too. Depends who we can find on the day.

Joe.