Respect

This is something, that for me, has become a bigger and bigger issue: people who join games, lead the GM on, then unexpectedly and without even a goodbye, quit the game, many times before the game even starts. Don't get me wrong, people have the right to quit for whatever reason...but why has it become the norm to simply slink off, disregarding the fact that people may be counting on their presence and that the GM may have spent his own precious time writing up things specifically for them? If you want to quit, at least do it graciously and with enough time for the GM to make adjustments. I know this is the internet and expecting common courtesy is ridiculous.  But should it be? I had an issue this week, and the guy thought he was being respectful by dropping a game I've spent weeks trying to start and then ignoring my inquiries about his involvement. Maybe I'm old but snubbing people is not being respectful. And before anyone asks, I'm not sure what his issue was simply because he did not communicate them. Anyway, I've dropped a couple of games myself, but I always did so with an apology. Am I being unreasonable expecting this in return? 

I totally feel what you mean, and I have run into it a lot here. A game I had run last year, I had to replace 1 spot every 2 weeks. People used my game as a "test the system out" rather than actually wanting to play a long term game. After passing through over 30 Players in that game I ended up closing that campaign because I couldn't get any consistency in the Players. I am not sure what could be done to "prevent" it though. Rating systems can be gamed, or a form of harassment. So aside from "teach people to not be jerks" there isn't much you can do.

GM Knowledge Rhino said: I totally feel what you mean, and I have run into it a lot here. A game I had run last year, I had to replace 1 spot every 2 weeks. People used my game as a "test the system out" rather than actually wanting to play a long term game. After passing through over 30 Players in that game I ended up closing that campaign because I couldn't get any consistency in the Players. I am not sure what could be done to "prevent" it though. Rating systems can be gamed, or a form of harassment. So aside from "teach people to not be jerks" there isn't much you can do. Yeah, people treat it like it's a game of checkers that's totally disposable. I happen to be one of those idiots that spends a lot of time and resources on their games. I want to center the story on the individual characters but because so many people are unreliable I feel like I'm setting myself up to be burned. Anyway, I'll just have to be harsher with the vetting to make sure only serious, respectful players get a moment of my time.  

I agree but it is also up to the game organizer (usually the GM) to set the tone & expectations, whether it's in your LFG post text, or the game's introductory text, or in your first-time interview or meeting with the potential player group. Even then, to remind you GM is a job that takes patience and not everyone will follow your request, but it helps if you put forward the expectation from the start. Teach or request the communication. As an example, from one of my campaigns: "* **Regular attendance is expected** but exceptions are okay if you need to miss a week for personal reasons & you agree to post and inform the group if you must miss." Then, I have a Thread in the game's forum that follows. My style is encouraging People to Post in the game-thread in advance if they will not be able to play that week. Personally I emphasize that the Players does not need to give a reason (reduce the pressure, and anyway you don't need to hear about everyone's dog, sickness, appointments, etc). At the same time I emphasize that they should Post to tell the entire group not just to PM or email the GM, and they should be sure to make the post before the game time they're going to miss, not after.  Because missing a session affects everyone not just the GM.  I have found it's easier to ask the people to post "publicly" to the group if it goes hand-in-hand with the fact that they don't need to explain their reason, they don't need to explain an illness or whatever it may be, but just to at least post "I can't play this week". Or, if we just try summing up the 1st post of this, your game -- text or verbally -- could say from the start something like "Please tell Rob in advance if you decide to drop-out or if you won't be able to attend a session. Rob The GM is spending time and working to write up parts of the game specifically for your character, so please inform Rob with at least 2 days notice before the game day, if you are not going to be able to play." But in the end, remain patient, since some people who are 1st-session droppers will not always read or follow your communication request anyway. Some people will be moved by your setting the expectation in this way.

If you're not already, I encourage using webcams. I can't say it'll solve the problem but it has improved our game greatly. Any step towards not being thought of as "random internet guy #30020238" is a step in the right direction I think. Whatever you do don't take personally as this has happened to every GM I've talked to who used Roll20 to try and recruit players. It just seems to be the way it is.  If you can try to recruit players to the group and not just the game. Our group had the same guys stick together through 4 campaigns and let me tell you, not having to go through the recruitment rigmarole is amazing. Being able to just run a game and not have to deal with the stress of finding, interviewing, finding again (because the first quit), interviewing again... and when I wanted to be a player for a bit I knew I could instantly be in a game with a good group with a good GM because we promoted in-house. 

Good advice. I think I've found some good guys now, though most prefer voice over video (a shyness thing). Anyway, thanks for the comment.