Solo - and lots of little breaks

[Calandale]

One of the things that I like about solo gaming - or gaming with an SO for that matter -
is the ability to step away fairly often and just putter about with your normal day.
Gaming becomes a piece of the day, rather than some special event to be planned
for, dreaded, and eventually dealt with.

[Rockhopper]

Absolutely.  It takes me a week to finish a single GBoH or M&P scenario.  My solo games are set up in my little office off of our bedroom on the second floor, so its pretty secluded.  Unless they're all busy with their own things, I don't really like to isolate myself from the lovely bride and kids for long periods.  So, I just nab a turn or two when I can get up there.  I use my tweezers to point to the next step in the turn sequence or the next dude to activate.  I might go downstairs and grab a coffee, and never make it back up.

It's interesting that you say "dreaded" in regards to the "game day" because I can relate.  We have some really good friends that I enjoy hanging out and gaming with, but its really draining to be honest.  It's probably selfish, but most of the time I'd prefer just to solo something.  But then they get here, we have an absolute blast playing something like Battlestar Galactica, and all is well.

It's not all that different from going to the dentist.  I dread the build up to it, but once I'm in there it's not so bad.

[Calandale]

It's not all that different from going to the dentist.  I dread the build up to it, but once I'm in there it's not so bad.

Oh man, I had the most intense tooth cleaning experience when my wisdom teeth were
rotting in the back of my mouth. It was like the release during sex, but continual. The
hygienist kept asking if I was in pain, since I was tensing up so much, but it wasn't
precisely pain - rather a feeling which wasn't quite describable.

I've had some pretty extreme pains (though no broken bones or the like), and none of them
felt anything like this.

[kira1y]

I usually have some sort of game set up on my table that I can dink around with here and there. This year I've think I've spent 95% of my gaming time that way and have been enjoying every second of it.

...rather than some special event to be planned for, dreaded, and eventually dealt with.

This is how I eventually came to view the weekly gatherings I used to host. Don't do those anymore...

[Calandale]

This is how I eventually came to view the weekly gatherings I used to host. Don't do those anymore...

I'd have an easier time at my house. The idea of going out someplace where I can't
smoke - that's really rough on me.

[Nigel66]

I don`t so much dread going to games night as see it as a duty.  I have to go - or I`ll be letting my mates down.  It`s a bit of a bind sometimes and there`s often something else I`d rather do.  But, I still go. 

And I almost always enjoy myself once I`m there and the game`s started.
 
Three of us are all now 48 and have been gaming together since discovering D&D in `80 or `81.  The "in vogue"  games come and go but, whatever it happens to be at any one time, it`s acting as a magnet that brings old friends together every week (or so) to shoot-the-**** and chew-the-fat.  So dread be damned; I`d be loathe to lose what we`ve got.

[Calandale]

I don`t so much dread going to games night as see it as a duty.  I have to go - or I`ll be letting my mates down.  It`s a bit of a bind sometimes and there`s often something else I`d rather do.  But, I still go. 

A habit makes everything easier.

[LuckyDiceRolls]

that is exactly how I do wargames myself
leaving the board set-up for a long time allows me to re-evaluate my plans for each side and also to let new ideas for games sink in

and the idea of not being able to smoke whatever I want during a game is laughable
I once had some guy come over to my apartment to play a game and found out he was a police officer wannabe, so I couldnt smoke whatever I wanted during the game
he made me feel uncomfortable in my own apartment
needless to say, I wont be making that mistake ever again

solo is the way to go

plus, I always win the battles!

[billyboy]

One of the things that I like about solo gaming - or gaming with an SO for that matter -
is the ability to step away fairly often and just putter about with your normal day.
Gaming becomes a piece of the day, rather than some special event to be planned
for, dreaded, and eventually dealt with.

Ditto. Since I have a game room now I usually have a solo game set up and I play it when I get the urge. When I first used vassal (before I met a lot of opponents) I did the same thing there.

[Calandale]

and the idea of not being able to smoke whatever I want during a game is laughable
I once had some guy come over to my apartment to play a game and found out he was a police officer wannabe, so I couldnt smoke whatever I wanted during the game
he made me feel uncomfortable in my own apartment
needless to say, I wont be making that mistake ever again

The last time I was getting out of college, the DEA was trying to recruit me.

[LuckyDiceRolls]

I take it thats another board game system
what, dragon's empire axis?

[Calandale]

I take it thats another board game system
what, dragon's empire axis?

Nah. I think it's more of a LARP.

You play a drug dealer or something.

[LuckyDiceRolls]

well, as long as youre not open to public ridicule, its okay

[anarchy]

I can leave solitaire games up for about a week before they have to get boxed up... I've got a regular gaming group and we need the table space every Saturday.

I can leave small solitaire games up on my office desk for longer periods of time.

The nice thing playing solo and taking lots of breaks is that is easier pretending I don't know what my opponent is doing.

[Calandale]

The nice thing playing solo and taking lots of breaks is that is easier pretending I don't know what my opponent is doing.

I find that's just easier solo to begin with.

Somehow, I can figure out my opponent better when it ain't me.