Just institute a fine for use. That way you have a slush fund to provide for snacks, pizza and beer at the game.

Just institute a fine for use. That way you have a slush fund to provide for snacks, pizza and beer at the game.

Then suddenly someone's mom got sick, girlfriend got touched inappropriately and the bus is gone. Nahh, I'd allow the use of electronic devices to a reasonable extend. Not that a fine is a bad idea in general, but fining with real life currency feels really harsh, especially among friends. Or maybe it is only possible among friends, I just kind of think it is too harsh.

If they are not listening then they don't get to contribute ideas for spending Triumph/Despair/Advantage/Threat. At our table these are often spent to change the scene, sometimes dramatically. So everyone is encouraged to keep involved even when it's not their turn.

The other thing we have worked on as a group is preparing your action and dice pool before its your turn to go. That way when you do pick an initiative slot you can immediately describe what you're doing and ask for a difficulty (if it's not preset like combat). This does 2 things, speeds the game up a lot, as well as occupies the players between turns.

We are mostly parents in our group so often need to keep in contact with partners, but by finding ways to engage out of turn we don't have the problem you describe.

If you do look up and see multiple screens out you could call a 10 minute rest break, and use it to politely highlight the problem. Then ask if there is there something in game they would rather be doing?

If all else fails a sudden bar fight has a habit of getting players attention

My solution to this is to give everyone something to do in the scene, and frequently cut. However, there's always those players that just can't cut the cord, so just talking about it plainly is the ultimate solution.

I'm amongst the crowd that I have to look at messages when they pop up due to work. Otherwise I would say looking at the phone during the game is rude, but that's kinda become a social thing that it getting into all walks of life. Not just games.

Solutions? Somehow make it part of the game? I once had an issue with Initiative when more then one player was arguing over who was going to use the next initiative point. If they debated too long, I announced the initiative point was lost. That was quickly fixed.

Regarding cell phones? Setback for certain checks or lost initiative point during combat since the PC was distracted by <insert something in-game>. Ex: Since you were distracted by your cell phone the Twilek dancer, you are going to suffer 2 setback to notice the Imperial agent that just walked into the cantina.

Unless the player can not concentrate without being on something else, like a phone, they should all put their devices in the center of the table. We do the same when we sit for a drink at the pub or eat at a restaurant... no one is allowed to touch the device, under penalty of paying for everyone

And I cant help feeling extremely annoyed at finding out whatever I've spent my week putting together isn't nearly as interesting as getting gold in Flappy Penguins.

I'm sorry to say this but if your story plot is less engaging that Flappy Penguins that means you have to revalidate what your players like and how you play your game.

Also, this system is very engaging from the start of the initiative roll, where the group makes tactical decisions who goes first etc , to each players round, influencing the group with his rolls >that triumph just pushed the other PC's target out of cover! <, assisting each other and so on.

But it all comes down to narrative involvement. Don't give them the time to be bored :-)

Asking people to put their phones away is more like healing the symptom rather than tackling the cause of the problem directly. Just saying.

I'm gonna give some advice, and then I'm gonna rant.

Advice:

1. Address the problem directly, but to the group not an individual. Say something like "Last week I noticed a lot of time was spent looking at phones and not paying attention to this game. That [insert degree of choice] bothered me, and I'd like the phone time to be kept to a minimum". This approach doesn't assign the behavior to any individual(s), and therefore no-one needs to feel defensive about the behavior.
2. Make it clear, going forward, that if the behavior persists, you'll address it more directly.
3. Make it clear, going forward, that you won't be repeating yourself if you notice players aren't paying attention. A player that misses a description or detail because they were on their phone has no one else to blame but themselves.

I've had players that were very easily distracted at my table before, to the point where they're distracting other players. The methods I described above effectively reduce the issues. I particularly had a problem with excessive table talk, so I added in that I wasn't going to raise my voice to talk over them.

Rant:

The problem isn't the GM, and I can't say how disappointing it is to see so many posters here level their fingers at him when he's here looking for help. Anyone at the table *not* paying attention to what is happening or the scene described by the GM is being extremely disrespectful.

It's that simple.

GM'ing takes a lot of work, and if a player (or players) think the GM's material is boring or otherwise not up to snuff they need to say something or leave. Ignoring the GM or playing games is a pretty passive-aggressive way of communicating that. That being said, it goes both ways: If a GM is having trouble with one or more players, he needs to address the issue.

Make your players stack their phones in the center of the table.

First one to reach for their phone has to pay for dinner next session.

"Remember when we used to game before cell phones? We'd all pay attention to the game. Now, we all have these brightly colored devices, and oh look! A message from someone just popped up, or hey what's this on Facebook? Please let's all put the phones away and throw dice for a few hours. We can take quick phone breaks in between scenes if need be. But I'm here to hear and tell a story."

Cell phone use killed a Deadlands game I was running once. And the player got mad at *me* for asking him to put it away... four times. It's not just the cell phones though. I have one player who doesn't get a chance to socialize much. So he is constantly wanting to chat about current movies and TV shows - right in the middle of combat or some other tense scene.

My current group has a player who is ADHD, or ADD, or AC/DC... whatever it is. He's always stacking dice or looking at his phone during the game, and he doesn't participate much. He's half paying attention, even when his character is in the spotlight. No worries... I'll center the story a bit more around the other two players, and not hold an ounce of grudgement against the other guy.

It is rude. It's not right. But I also feel like it's not right to take things away from grown people like they are children in the classroom. The idea of having everyone put their phones in a pile somewhere is anathema to me. I think the best course of action is to make a statement after everyone is sitting at the table to please put away the distractions. If it continues, then you pull aside the individual at a later date (not during the game) and talk about it.

It was a joke.

Good suggestion though. People always get grump about a problem, but few actually address the issue. They just wait for the problem to magically go away.

If you've tried talking to your players about it, good on you. But they may not see the issue unless you point it out. They may not see it as a problem at all.

I'm amongst the crowd that I have to look at messages when they pop up due to work.

I do agree this is a valid use of a phone in the game - it's almost always been me that has to keep up with work, it's just the nature of my job (or was, woohoo!) I've even had to stop a game to take a priority call, so I'd never give anyone grief for doing the same at the table. I don't think we'd have any arguments that these situations are exempt from the kibbitzing rule that should include phones.

Rant:

The problem isn't the GM, and I can't say how disappointing it is to see so many posters here level their fingers at him when he's here looking for help. Anyone at the table *not* paying attention to what is happening or the scene described by the GM is being extremely disrespectful.

It's that simple.

GM'ing takes a lot of work, and if a player (or players) think the GM's material is boring or otherwise not up to snuff they need to say something or leave. Ignoring the GM or playing games is a pretty passive-aggressive way of communicating that. That being said, it goes both ways: If a GM is having trouble with one or more players, he needs to address the issue.

I don't disagree with you in principle, but for the sake of the discussion - it really does lie in the GM's hands to fix this problem. The GM's job is to facilitate a fun session for everyone, GM included.

It's not the GM's fault if someone is distracted, life provides ample opportunities for that. The GM has the power and the tools to fix the problem, either through the story, or calling for a break so everyone can fiddle around - then get back to the story.

Communication is the key, I think we all agree. If players messing on their phones while you tell a story upsets you, make it known right then and there. It doesn't have to be any high drama, you can just look at the offender(s) and ask, "hey, are you still with me?" If it keeps happening, it's been my experience that just talking to the offender(s) privately works well, if I come from a place of "hey, is something wrong? You were awfully distracted at the table last night." While I engender a compassionate approach to this, I'm not above a "hey, it's your turn, put your phone down you jackass" when in the company of closer friends. I will not, however, ever penalize a PC for the player's actions, that just doesn't seem right. If I can fix problems in the proper context it seems to work for all involved.

Rant:

The problem isn't the GM, and I can't say how disappointing it is to see so many posters here level their fingers at him when he's here looking for help. Anyone at the table *not* paying attention to what is happening or the scene described by the GM is being extremely disrespectful.

It's that simple.

GM'ing takes a lot of work, and if a player (or players) think the GM's material is boring or otherwise not up to snuff they need to say something or leave. Ignoring the GM or playing games is a pretty passive-aggressive way of communicating that. That being said, it goes both ways: If a GM is having trouble with one or more players, he needs to address the issue.

I don't disagree with you in principle, but for the sake of the discussion - it really does lie in the GM's hands to fix this problem. The GM's job is to facilitate a fun session for everyone, GM included.

It's not the GM's fault if someone is distracted, life provides ample opportunities for that. The GM has the power and the tools to fix the problem, either through the story, or calling for a break so everyone can fiddle around - then get back to the story.

Communication is the key, I think we all agree. If players messing on their phones while you tell a story upsets you, make it known right then and there. It doesn't have to be any high drama, you can just look at the offender(s) and ask, "hey, are you still with me?" If it keeps happening, it's been my experience that just talking to the offender(s) privately works well, if I come from a place of "hey, is something wrong? You were awfully distracted at the table last night." While I engender a compassionate approach to this, I'm not above a "hey, it's your turn, put your phone down you jackass" when in the company of closer friends. I will not, however, ever penalize a PC for the player's actions, that just doesn't seem right. If I can fix problems in the proper context it seems to work for all involved.

You don't disagree with me in principle, but for the sake of discussion, I'm just wrong?

No.

If the players are behaving rudely, then players should stop behaving rudely. The GM has no control over the players' behavior.

If someone needs to take a call for work or family, that's one thing. Playing video games or surfing the web while at a gaming table is quite another. The former are priorities, the latter is not social. The latter is what's being discussed and, as I've stated before, is quite rude, IMO.

Do you think the game table should take a break so one of the players can finish a level of a video game on their phone that they started *after* they all sat down to the session? Personally, I find that absurd.

Gaming is a social activity, and like any social activity, basic manners and politeness is necessary for everyone to have a good time. If someone shows up to a dinner party and acts the boor, it's not the host's fault for not being entertaining enough. Yes, the key here is communication, but the players' behavior described by the OP/GM is in no way the fault of the OP/GM.

You don't disagree with me in principle, but for the sake of discussion, I'm just wrong?

No.

No indeed. It must have come across wrong. I do agree there's a social contract that must be observed and not respecting it is not cool. However, my post is more a suggestion for some solutions rather than point any fingers - that's just counterproductive. I'm not saying "GM it's your fault, you fool," I'm saying, "GM, this is going to happen, here's some ways I've dealt with it."

Building on that, you should have players that are able to care about your story without waving your arms like yo are entertaining a five year old. Not to say that in extreme moments this is not a valid method, just be aware that this is weirdly patronizing over a certain period of time. I still encourage voices in general for example because I believe they add to atmosphere.

I disagree with the notion that, and I say this as a GM, simply because a GM put in the effort to develop a plot or story, he can skirt by on a boring presentation. If a GM is going to hold the majority of the spotlight time, he'd better be as enthusiastic about the story as he expects the players to be. The OP may be a great GM or he may not be. I'm not in his game. But there's nothing wrong with GMs doing a little self-examination.

"My players won't get off their cell phones" is the most common complaint thread topic on all table-top RPG fora. What I don't ever hear is a player's side of the story. Probably because GMs are more likely to interact online and look for advice. But social dynamics being what they are, it's never so simple to say that players should just stay or go. I play with friends that I've known for a long time and, no, just getting up and walking out if I'm bored isn't that easy. Sometimes you don't want to hurt your friend's feelings but you're also not engaged with what's going on. Maybe I need more spotlight time but the current plot doesn't focus on me. Maybe it will come back to me, maybe it won't, but if I walk I'll never know. Maybe if I stay in the game for a few more sessions, I can run a campaign of something and I won't have to hunt down new players. Maybe I just like being around non-judgmental people. There are a dozen reasons that are never considered.

In all likelihood, a simple GM-to-player heart-to-heart will solve the issue. But too often I see these threads devolve into "all players are unappreciative jerks" and "all GMs are put-upon martyrs."

Just talk to them.

Had this issue with player. I told him it was starting to become a problem. He said he knew what he was doing but he didn't know it was causing an issue. I explained that it was bothering me and that might be the extent of it but, seeing as I put all the work into being the GM, which includes the expense of buyin books, siting down and allocating time to prepare (admittedly less of a requirement with this game than almost any other I've played over the 37 years I've been playing RPG's but, as a husband and father of three kids, including twin girls, I have far less time to offer!), it should be enough. And he very politely agreed.

Done and done.

I don't mean it to sound like am disparaging the player so I'll politely describe him as willful. I didn't expect him to see that it was him that needed to change. He very pleasantly surprised me. I think that having a good, friendly, non-confrontational discussion with the friends you're sitting down to do any activity with on a regular basis is a lot easier to do than most of us seem to think it is. I'm not sure why we think it's so hard but it shouldn't be. If it is, then there's a deeper problem than what's showing on the surface.

Building on that, you should have players that are able to care about your story without waving your arms like yo are entertaining a five year old. Not to say that in extreme moments this is not a valid method, just be aware that this is weirdly patronizing over a certain period of time. I still encourage voices in general for example because I believe they add to atmosphere.

I disagree with the notion that, and I say this as a GM, simply because a GM put in the effort to develop a plot or story, he can skirt by on a boring presentation. If a GM is going to hold the majority of the spotlight time, he'd better be as enthusiastic about the story as he expects the players to be. The OP may be a great GM or he may not be. I'm not in his game. But there's nothing wrong with GMs doing a little self-examination.

I think there's room between unenthusiastic GM'ing and going over the top with wild antics. I'm guessing that EJay wasn't implying that players should line up to sit at a table to listen to a monotoned delivery and unimaginative story. You're right. Players shouldn't be happy about an uninspiring GM'ing job... but that's somewhere pretty far removed from accepting the GM's story even if he's not "waving his arms like he is entertaining a five year old."

The Problem of the Cell phone/Tablet distraction is not unique to the gaming table.

it is a Problem with our current culture. And it began Long before the smart phone.

It is a Problem of inconsideration and Rudeness... and isn't even specific to the New generation, though I would saythat the Newer generation is Likely more prone to it than older generations.

PUT THE PHONE DOWN!

And I am not just talking about at the Game table. If your spending time with you're family, If your in a class, If you are at the Check out Counter at a store, where some one is Helping YOU.

Put the Phone down.

In a world with technology tat can make us more connected with the world, We have become More disconnected with each other and more disconnected with being considerate of those around us, especially those serving us.

Also, Use Some earphones, when your playing a Game or listening to music, in a waiting room waiting room, on a bus, or where ever it is.

Be considerate, don't be rude, and hang up your call, you can always call back, And Communicate with the person helping you, Do not continue talking on your phone over the top of them trying to help you.

Be considerate of others Around you who may not want to hear the noise of you playing your game or listen to the Music you want to listen to.

BE More Connected with your friends, with your families.

Put the Phone DOWN and BE Truly Connected.

LethalDose, on 04 Oct 2015 - 1:48 PM, said:LethalDose, on 04 Oct 2015 - 1:48 PM, said:

Rant:

The problem isn't the GM, and I can't say how disappointing it is to see so many posters here level their fingers at him when he's here looking for help. Anyone at the table *not* paying attention to what is happening or the scene described by the GM is being extremely disrespectful.

It's that simple.

GM'ing takes a lot of work, and if a player (or players) think the GM's material is boring or otherwise not up to snuff they need to say something or leave. Ignoring the GM or playing games is a pretty passive-aggressive way of communicating that. That being said, it goes both ways: If a GM is having trouble with one or more players, he needs to address the issue.

Sometime, it is the GM fault. I have play with enought boring GM to know that. For the rest, Concise Locket hit the nail with his post.

this isn't a tech-issue. players got distracted or simply didn't pay attention before there were mobile phones.

if players don't pay attention they are probably missing something in the game. you need to find out what it is. there's no simple solution, every group is different, every player is different. you need to find out exactly what is wrong on "your" table.

only once you found out what the underlying problem is the forum can start being helpful.

Building on that, you should have players that are able to care about your story without waving your arms like yo are entertaining a five year old. Not to say that in extreme moments this is not a valid method, just be aware that this is weirdly patronizing over a certain period of time. I still encourage voices in general for example because I believe they add to atmosphere.

I disagree with the notion that, and I say this as a GM, simply because a GM put in the effort to develop a plot or story, he can skirt by on a boring presentation. If a GM is going to hold the majority of the spotlight time, he'd better be as enthusiastic about the story as he expects the players to be. The OP may be a great GM or he may not be. I'm not in his game. But there's nothing wrong with GMs doing a little self-examination.

I think there's room between unenthusiastic GM'ing and going over the top with wild antics. I'm guessing that EJay wasn't implying that players should line up to sit at a table to listen to a monotoned delivery and unimaginative story. You're right. Players shouldn't be happy about an uninspiring GM'ing job... but that's somewhere pretty far removed from accepting the GM's story even if he's not "waving his arms like he is entertaining a five year old."

Yeah, I may have been a little too enthusiastic about my appraoch to this. It is indeed a GM's job to be interesting, including his presentation and not just the story. Players will most likely drift off at times and that is perfectly reasonable; in moderation. I wanted to convey that there should be at least enough passion from the player's side that they want to participate. If a GM lacks the skill or enthusiasm to really make others care that generally want to... Well, that is on him. Just don't martyr yourself and bend over backwards for people that do not really show interest. But definitly try your best to make the world seem colourful.

LethalDose, on 04 Oct 2015 - 1:48 PM, said:LethalDose, on 04 Oct 2015 - 1:48 PM, said:

Rant:

The problem isn't the GM, and I can't say how disappointing it is to see so many posters here level their fingers at him when he's here looking for help. Anyone at the table *not* paying attention to what is happening or the scene described by the GM is being extremely disrespectful.

It's that simple.

GM'ing takes a lot of work, and if a player (or players) think the GM's material is boring or otherwise not up to snuff they need to say something or leave. Ignoring the GM or playing games is a pretty passive-aggressive way of communicating that. That being said, it goes both ways: If a GM is having trouble with one or more players, he needs to address the issue.

Sometime, it is the GM fault. I have play with enought boring GM to know that. For the rest, Concise Locket hit the nail with his post.

Two points:

First, my position shouldn't be construed as "there are no boring GMs." There are, clearly, boring GMs, but they are not responsible for a player's behavior. Only players are responsible for player's behavior, which is why I found it so disappointing that so many posters here held the GM/OP responsible for the players acting rude.

Second, if there's a problem with the GM, you need say something or stop attending. If you don't point out to the GM that you're bored, but keep attending the boring game, how do you expect the situation to improve? Similarly, if the GM doesn't address the issues with the players, there's no reason to expect things to change. Hence, the importance of communication has been emphasized in my responses.

LethalDose, on 04 Oct 2015 - 1:48 PM, said:LethalDose, on 04 Oct 2015 - 1:48 PM, said:

Rant:

The problem isn't the GM, and I can't say how disappointing it is to see so many posters here level their fingers at him when he's here looking for help. Anyone at the table *not* paying attention to what is happening or the scene described by the GM is being extremely disrespectful.

It's that simple.

GM'ing takes a lot of work, and if a player (or players) think the GM's material is boring or otherwise not up to snuff they need to say something or leave. Ignoring the GM or playing games is a pretty passive-aggressive way of communicating that. That being said, it goes both ways: If a GM is having trouble with one or more players, he needs to address the issue.

Sometime, it is the GM fault. I have play with enought boring GM to know that. For the rest, Concise Locket hit the nail with his post.

Two points:

First, my position shouldn't be construed as "there are no boring GMs." There are, clearly, boring GMs, but they are not responsible for a player's behavior. Only players are responsible for player's behavior, which is why I found it so disappointing that so many posters here held the GM/OP responsible for the players acting rude.

Second, if there's a problem with the GM, you need say something or stop attending. If you don't point out to the GM that you're bored, but keep attending the boring game, how do you expect the situation to improve? Similarly, if the GM doesn't address the issues with the players, there's no reason to expect things to change. Hence, the importance of communication has been emphasized in my responses.

Of course GM's are responsible for players behavior. They inspire them, engage them, thrill them. OR not. Or they don't and then players fiddle with their phones. I've been a player like that - some sessions were so boring I was seriously considering going home. Why sugar coat it?

Of course GM's are responsible for players behavior. They inspire them, engage them, thrill them. OR not. Or they don't and then players fiddle with their phones. I've been a player like that - some sessions were so boring I was seriously considering going home. Why sugar coat it?

that's not what he means.

of course sometimes gms don't do a good job. this happens a lot. being a good gm is hard.

gms can bore players. this boredom can lead to players doing stuff while at the table.

but it doesn't have to. they could also speak up. they could say what is bothering them, so the game can improve. they could try to act in a way to improve the game by themselves (sometimes players are too passive and that leads to boredom).

the gm might be responsible for a bad game, but isn't responsible for how the players react to that game. they are.