So, you've just been accepted as a member of the Omaha Game Club. What's next?
First, you need to sign into the blog and make a post about the 5-15 games you'd like to see the club play. Check out this post to get an idea of what this step is all about. For now, this club is trying to stay away from platform-specific games in order to be as accessible as possible. As such, please try to ensure that the games you choose are available on Steam, GOG, or through some other Web-based digital distribution service.
Before you publish your list, make sure to add the "Proposed Games" label and a "your_first_name your_last_name" label to your post. Carefully labeling every post is how we keep this blog organized, so this step is super important.
The games we play will all come from these lists of games proposed by members. Be sure to check out everyone else's lists, and leave comments detailing your reasons for wanting or not wanting to play certain games. I, Danny, will take everything said on these "Proposed Games" posts into consideration when I'm selecting the games to be played, so don't stay silent!
Next, you need to write a few words about yourself on this page, so other members and everyone passing through this blog can get to know you a bit. Don't panic! This step is easy. If you're unsure what to write about, go look at what existing members have already written for inspiration.
[Edit 5 May 2013: Apparently only the blog admin is capable of editing pages on the blog, so email Danny at reruchad@gmail.com w/ your bio information, and he'll get you added to the "About Us" page.]
Next, you'll want to check out the "Upcoming Games" page on this blog. Here, you'll find the game the club is currently playing, as well as the list of games we'll be playing in the coming weeks. We start a new game every Monday, but feel free to jump in and join the conversation any day of the week.
For every game you play with the club, put in as many hours as you can manage before the week is up, and then post what you want about the game right here on this blog. Write about:
- your expectations of the game before you started playing,
- the experiences you had while playing,
- what you like or dislike about the design of the game,
- the history of the game's development, or
- anything else your heart desires so long as it's related to the current game.
Write as much or as little for this blog as you like. The members of the Omaha Game Club take this blog seriously though, so out of respect for the club you have been accepted into, please take your writing seriously. It is expected that your posts be original, thoughtful, and meaningfully contribute to the club's continuing conversation about games.
The hope of the Omaha Game Club is that every member contribute at least two hours a week to the current game, and publish at least one post to this blog about that game by the Wednesday after the club has moved onto the next game. For example, if you start playing Torchlight II with the club on Monday, May 6, and you want to write something about Torchlight II, in an ideal world, you will have published your Torchlight II-related thoughts by Wednesday, May 15.
This hope is not meant to discourage anyone from posting content about a game after the proposed "deadline" has passed. If you're still playing a game days or weeks after the club has moved on, and there's something you'd like to write about, don't hesitate to post those thoughts on this blog. The proposed "deadline" detailed above exists only to encourage people to think about, study, and discuss the same game at the same time.
Do not forget to label every post you publish with the name of the game you are writing about as well as your own name. For example, if I was publishing a post about Torchlight II, I would label the post "Torchlight II" and "Danny Rerucha". Remember, carefully labeling posts is how this blog stays organized, so be diligent with your labels!
Finally, the Omaha Game Club and this blog exist to bring people who love games together, give them a platform to share their thoughts, and introduce them to the open, friendly, and engaging community of gamers in and around Omaha. People join the Omaha Game Club because they want to contribute to the conversation about games and they want feedback on their thoughts from people who share their passion for games. Let's play games together! Let's fill this blog with insightful commentary about our experiences! Let's engage each other by taking the time to read what other members have written, and extend the conversation by leaving meaningful comments! Let's have fun! Let's be good to each other!
This club is meant to be inclusive, and we want as many contributors as there are game enthusiasts in the Omaha area. Few things are more enjoyable than playing games with close friends. So, spread the word, and invite your friends to join!
Please don't hesitate to shoot me an email at reruchad@gmail.com with questions, concerns, or suggestions about the current or future state of the Omaha Game Club.
Cheers,
Danny Rerucha, Omaha Game Club's handsome and scholarly leader
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