Multiplayer Configuration: Social Gaming Redux (k3nshi)

This picture seems all too wrong. A load of people playing a MMORPG game (Tibia in this case), in the same room. You can imagine the disparaging statements non-gamers would make looking at this picture - I know I laughed when I saw it. Even the slightly more conventional layout of many players around one one console and TV can seem anti-social to non-gaming eyes.

But what if the layout was that of a central, lowered display, with players sat around it and facing each other. In other words the standard board game kind of layout. Suddenly this "geeky hobby" is socially acceptable, family fun.

Unless its an RPG with lead figures and 20 sided dice of course. That's just wrong no matter the configuration of the players and board.