Early campaigns played mostly in college dorm rooms. As GM, I usually sat cross-legged on the bed surrounded by books and notes. Players found comfortable spots on the floor. One lucky player would get the chair by the desk, but only so long as they stayed in it ... as soon as that chair was empty, someone else would steal it. Anyone who bought the GM a soda earned one extra karma (I was greedy and self-centered then, like a good Mr. Johnson). AC/DC in the CD player, until it got distracting.
Later, we usually played in someone's living room. As GM, I'd claim the spot closest to the coffee table. Other players would spread out on sofas, armchairs, or the floor. Anyone who brought snacks or drinks for the whole group earned one extra karma (see? evidence of personal growth). Still AC/DC in the CD player, though.
These days, we mostly play at the dinner table with the GM at one end. Everyone usually shows up with food or drinks to share; no extra karma for that. AC/DC plays from my laptop to a Bluetooth speaker. To set the mood, we go around the table and each player says what their character did during their downtime between runs. The most "shadowrun" story is worth an extra Edge point in that session.
