How we play
In person
At our annual convention, games generally continue into the wee hours of the morning. We also game at smaller local gatherings, at parties, and even on transit. Jenergy and Saxifrage (note: NPL members refer to each other by puzzle noms) once started a game of French Toast on a boat in Mazatlan, Mexico, which was soon joined by several other passengers looking for a way to kill time until everyone went snorkeling.
NPL members play some games, such as charades, as noncompetitive “exhibition” games. In such games, participants take turns filling the game roles while the others are guessers or spectators. Players can join or leave the game as they please, and the game continues as long as there is interest. We always strive to ensure that new players feel welcome.
Online
Games are also popular at online NPL gatherings. Online gaming initially took place in text-based chat services such as AOL and Slack. In recent years, game sessions in video teleconferencing platforms such as Zoom have all but supplanted text-based gaming. We have also a weekly Tuesday game night on Zoom, where we play many of these games, as well as solving puzzles devised by members. Check the NPL Facebook page each Tuesday for the link. As we do in person, we always strive to ensure that new online players feel welcome.