The Adventure is Over. Now What? 5 Ways To Find A New Party

​Sometimes friends drift apart, or disagreements can dismantle a party. What do you do when you need to find a new group to game with?  Though currently difficult due to COVID-19, we've got your back on how you can saddle up and find your new party.

1) Conventions
Once convention season opens up again after the pandemic is over - conventions are a great way to meet scores of new people in a short amount of time.  While not everyone can afford the expense of attending one of the mega conventions like San Diego ComiCon, the benefit to gaming becoming more mainstream and popular means there are many more small local conventions than ever before!  There are often conventions that are purely just about gaming, or even specific types of gaming.  The drawback to seeking a new gaming group even at a small local convention is that they might not be local.  But the odds are in your favor by sheer numbers and opportunities with different gaming sessions and panels.  Even if you don’t find your new gaming group, you can still have a great time playing some fun games with other con goers and potentially make some new friends.

2) Local Game Nights
A better way to increase your odds of encountering local gamers is, after the pandemic, to hit up a local game night at a game store or venue that supports game nights (such as an arcade bar or a family run restaurant).  Most game stores have different game nights that are themed to specific days and usually have a freeform game night at least one night per week.  This offers the opportunity to find new group members for a particular game you want to play, or to join an existing group that you mesh with.  It also takes the guesswork out of choosing a location for your new group’s game nights, since you’re already meeting at a hosting venue.  If you don’t find a new game group on the first try, don’t be afraid to try again.  While most themed game nights will have the “usual crowd” there may be new gamers that stop by looking for a group just like you.

3) Join A Facebook Group
Scouting new local groups can be tough, and exploring new game shops and game night locales can be intimidating.  A great way to find new gaming group members without the social pressure is by searching groups on Facebook.  The social media platform has dozens of groups specifically tailored to different games.  It’s also a great way to get a feel for the other players in a group via the discussions on the Facebook group pages.  It will become clear which groups and gamers are more “hardcore” and which are more “casual” by the types of discussions in the groups.  Reading them ahead of time takes the social pressure off so you “know” what kind of gamers you’ll be sitting down to play with.  You never know who you might connect with and what local fellow gamers you might find.

4) Search On A Gaming Forum
This can be a bit more intimidating than joining a Facebook group.  Gamers that frequent forums are typically more “hardcore” about the games they play than the casual gamers that are more likely to frequent open Facebook groups.  If you consider yourself a hardcore gamer, or are up to the challenge, this may be a great way to find an experienced group to play with.  There are always clusters of gamers looking to join new groups, and technology can help bridge the distance if local gaming isn’t possible.  Utilizing video chat like Skype or Zoom with digital gaming programs like Roll20 can make game night happen no matter where your group members live.

5) Start Your Own Group
This option may be the most intimidating, but it can sometimes be the “best” option.  Create your own Facebook Group, or post on a gaming forum that you’re looking to build your own gaming group.  Let the world know what kind of group you’re looking to play with, and what you bring to the table.  Do you have a venue?  Books, maps, figurines?  Or maybe you make the best game night snacks?  Whatever makes you a key player for your new game group, shout it loud and proud and see what other gamers you might reel in.


Seeking a new game night group is always a challenge, regardless if it’s your first game group, or you’re a seasoned player.  Take a chance on these tips and don’t give up!  Your best game night group is out there waiting for you.

Alice Liddell is an author, artist, and performer who loves bringing magic and fantasy to all aspects of her working and personal life.  Whether it’s DnD with friends, or a round of Fable solo, Alice has always loved gaming of all kinds.  You can find her work on her social media handles Facebook, or under littlalice06 on IG and Twitter.

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