And by "Finally," I mean that my frustration at trying to keep a game going - or even at finding players - has been increasing for a few years, and that I've finally stopped hoping for the RPG environment to improve, or for a group of dedicated and self-motivated players to suddenly materialize within a few miles of my home. It's like trying to hold together a 40-year old rock-and-roll band when the other members are more concerned with families, yardwork, and holding on to a job long enough to retire with a pension.
It can be difficult (and more difficult than before) but not impossible. Not even near impossible.
You have to broaden your horizons. Use the net or local game stores to find players around you. If you don't live in the sticks, there's probably someone around you that plays--and someone in your peer group.
Once I start talking about it, I'm amazed at how many people where I work say, "Oh yeah, I used to do that, years ago. It was fun!"
Now, it's time to reply, "Well, how about we do it again? It will be like a Friday night, bi-weekly poker night! We'll do it for 3 or 4 hours and then call it a night. You up for it?"
I've found that two or three players and a GM is an ideal set-up. Just enough people for diversity, but not too many schedules to juggle.
People that have similiar interests (read science fiction and fantasy, like comic books, PC gamers, people who gamed 'way back when') are good candidates.
As I said, you only have to find one or two. Boom. You've got a game.
Heck, look at the people on this list. Brokers, lawyers, Ph D's. All types of professionals, many (most?) of them in their 40's already.
I game can be had if the will is there, and you think outside of the box. The net is a great way to find people these days.
