It sort of comes under "free time" (of which I don't have much) ... does anybody know, is anything happening as far as role-playing games are concerned? Are there any gaming groups in Lausanne? What's the rpg scene like in this part of Switzerland?

we used to have a group in Basel, they still meet there but now we live near Neuchatel...

Are there any website where gamers congregate in Switzerland or is it pretty much find-as-find-can?

I think it's pretty much find-as-can. There used to be a pretty large group in Fribourg, but I don't know if it's still going.

The best thing to do is ask at your local gaming stores. There is at least one in Lausanne, but I can't remember exactly where.

Just googled and found this:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/9283...n-suisse-roman

Yeah, I've seen the boardgamesgeek forum page and wasn't blown away

It looks like the gamers here are staying much more underground - or perhaps they're just using French. Now to work out how to say "le gaming shoppe" in that language ...

I don't play myself, but I am pretty sure there is a shop just next to the Metropole theatre in Bel Air. I expect they could help.

Googled again and I think this is the store I was thinking of

http://www.xenomorphe.ch/?v=accueil

Mostly Flames of War, but they do have other stuff and they might know of any RPG groups in the area.

Hmm ... Xenomorphe, yes, I've got a tab open to their store. It looks very francophone, but I'll give it a shot next time I'm around the Fresh Prince's hangout.

You could try http://www.enworld.org
they have a section find a game which includes gamers in Switzerland

Couldn't this forum be used to organize some english-rpg games? Although a newbie, I am all for getting a 4e dnd game going, or a DnD boardgame. I haven't seen much DnD in Geneva, Warhammer seems to be the most popular thing.

Well ... it certainly could. I know I wouldn't be able to dungeonmaster a game in any language besides English!" My German would be terrible:

"Ja, sie sehen ein Ork. Ja. Er ist gross und grün. Eeeh ... Er kommt für sie?"

Haha... I wouldn't even know how that would go in French! I find it strange that few people are into DnD, especially with such large tradition for tabletop gaming around here. I heard there was an organized group up in Zurich, but not much else, and not around Geneva/Lausanne. The books in English are also hard to come by, unless you use Amazon. I guess the rapid turnover also makes campaigning difficult. It might be fun to run a few one-shots to see if people are interested. Are there any shops in Lausanne that lend themselves to gaming events or a Ludotheque?

Apparently there are a few gaming shops, yes - as well as a ludotheque. Haven't managed to visit yet, but I'm thinking of starting things out with one-off and with a persistent sandbox setting, where every character does not have to be present every session.

Ideally I'd also find a backup DM, because I travel for work, so my schedule can get shot all kinds of wonky (tomorrow it's off to Frankfurt for 5 days. At 6:41 a.m. Yippee!)

Wow.. Good luck on your trip. I am not far from Lausanne and I have a little experience with DMing. Maybe this post might attract a few others and we'll have a dungeoneering troupe!

yes, it would be pretty nifty!

For a taste of how i game, this might give a suggestion: http://cauldronsandclerics.blogspot.com/ my little gaming blogue.

I'm in Fribourg and wouldn't mind getting back into a regular game. In fact that would be awesome!

I've got a good collection of rule books ranging from basic d&d, d&d cyclopedia (my fav), d&d 3e, stormbringer, etc.

-Jacques

Well, if your French is not too bad and if they're still around there used to be a group in Fribourg who played regularly in the nuclear bunker in Parking des Alpes. You could try enquiring there to see if they're still going.

My French is horrible, but thanks for tip nonetheless!

If all people that replied in this topic get together, it would be a group big enough...
I joined to forum today just because of this topic, I moved to Switzerland (Lausanne) last year and didnt find a D&D group yet (didnt look for it very hard to be honest).
I was DM back home, but english is not my native language, so I am not sure how it would turn out. I have some books of D&D 3.5. My personal favorite is to play in Eberron world, but forgotten realms is nice too, or any other one.
I could be the DM, but not full time, I enjoy being the adventurer also

So, anyone around willing to start a new group?

hey there Konrad,

welcome to EF! i would gladly be interested in starting/joining a new group if we have enough interest. i've DM'ed a few campaigns in home grown settings but i'm probably *very* rusty.

perhaps we should setup something on meetup.com and advertise in this thread?

cheers,
-Jacques