7 Signs That You Are The OG (Old Gamer) In The Room

I still feel like a newbie role-player at times. I had a hiatus for a few years when my daughter came and my life was crazy (not always in the best way). I have just started to notice that those same OG signs that my husband had been displaying for years had began to be apparent in my own life. I have been role-playing since 2000. This didn’t seem too long of a time frame until I realized that was nearly the entirety of other player friend’s lives. So, I will own this list (or blame it on the OOG that also resides in my house.)
 
1.So many stories
 It is normal for those who have even spent one session role-playing to reminisce about the game before. But when those stories you tell begin to blur with other stories… you know it has been a long time. Which Palladium Titan was the one who asked for surrender when the rest of the party was trying to sneak up on the enemy? Or you turn to your friend to ask him if he remembers that naked bar fight, just to realize that no one in the room was around for that campaign. It is a wake up call; you are the OG.
 
2. Defending Old Rules or Systems
 Sure, you may have the new players shaking their heads, but they don’t know the beauty of the old system. There were so many books and add-ons for the game. They don’t know what they were missing. Fold-outs and well-made dungeon maps and did I mention all the extra books? Quantity of books obviously means that the system was better back then. THAC0 really wasn't that bad….
 
3.Talking about House Rules to Fix Old Systems
 Our system was great, I mean, we did change a few things. But that was because we had gamed so long that we tweaked things. It really wasn’t because of flaws, but that we were so good at improving older versions of games.
 
4. Comparing more that 3 editions of the Same Game
 No new role-player does this. It is weird. It makes us sound senile.
 
5. Proclaiming “You have it easy now!” in regards to everything
 Online groups, podcasts, blog articles, PDFs a plenty online, and ways to connect and play with a group from miles and miles away. You had to build community the old fashioned way with hard work and boot straps. These youngins don’t know the struggle of finding even another group to relate to, other than your immediate group of course.
 
6. Don’t build ‘them’ like they used to
 “Them” is your blanket statement that can include players, GMs, resources, or anything else you feel like complaining about currently.
 
7. A Stack of Books sits idly by collecting dust
 It takes up your space, but it might be worth something someday. Plus, you would never get rid of them for sentimental reasons. I am sure they will come in handy some day. Maybe one of the new role-player friend you have would like to look through them with you. If not, they look great on your shelf.
 
If any of these rang true to you, I am sorry. I empathise. But on the bright side, my memories, my shelves, and my unimportant gaming trivia are all full.
 
Vanessa is a sarcastic, 30-something wife, mother and educator. She likes things and stuff, but not simultaneously (she is not a machine!) She is also trying out this new twitter handle at @sarasma_nessa (though she is terrible at it)

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