Some Things Simply Don't Fit

As Cordelia Chase knows all too well, some shoes simply don't fit. Likewise, some people and people types are simply not a good fit for games like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. These games deal with adult situations and character concepts, involve demons and demonic themes, and generally aren't everyone's cup of tea. This is not meant to diminish these would-not-be players, just to note that not everyone is a fan of Stephen King or the dark and perpetually brooding.

Games like these have a modern Goth-like sensibility in more ways than one (we already discussed clothing), and that does not appeal to many people. The Nihilistic outlook and overly pessimistic themes are often enough to drive away even the most excitable of gamers, because they see no possibility for long-term play or character progression. And those are valid concerns in games where the Player Characters are so overpowered by the Big Bads.

A good rule of thumb is to only approach people you know are interested in Horror and Dark Fantasy - they're usually easy to spot, especially if you get a chance to speak with them. Others you'll just have to get a feel for; gamers may be more inclined, even if they aren't Horror fans, just for the experience of playing something different. Normies and casuals are likely to reject it simply because they are not that familiar with the hobby as much as any other reason. But you might get lucky and uncover a pulp fan (pulp stories are where a lot of modern TTRPG featuring these adult themes originated to begin with).

Obviously avoid the ultra-religious and perpetually upbeat. It may be discriminatory, but it hardly rises to the level of persecution. They are clearly going to be disinterested in the material, even if not offended. And avoid those with delicate sensiblities or strong political leanings who may overshadow or disrupt the game with frequent interruptions and unnecessary diversions into real-world topics.

These are horror games, so the entire point is to creep-out the players and make them uncomfortable. The rest is just rolling dice. Not everyone is going to be into the idea.

However, do not enter into a contract just so you can spend a few hours playing a game - especially with adults... which are the only ones with which you can enter a contract (children do not have the authority to enter contracts). Unless you are being paid to run a game, you should never be under any contractual obligation to do, or not to do, anything, especially in a game session. Things like this are beyond the pale and anyone who insists on such a thing is definitely a bad fit for games like the Angel Roleplaying Game. Just pick a different game to play that everyone can agree on.

If you are really uncertain as to whether or not someone would make a good player, you might lightly pitch the idea but not press the issue. I know how anxious you can get when you really want to play a game you have but you know it's not going to work with just any player because I have about a dozen of them on my shelf. Still, you don't want to push too hard. Let them warm-up to the idea on their own.

Horror RPG, perhaps more than any other genre, is simply not for everyone and a bad fit can not just ruin an entire game and bring a session to a screeching and possibly dramatic (in a bad way) halt, but even ruin relationships. It's just kind of rough material.

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