Normally you pull names out of a hat, although I prefer dice in all of life's situations. I know a few random number generators which would be perfect.

http://www.random.org/sequences/

Large value = number of players

You're done!

Yes, but that could happen with any kind of drawing. And if I told you that it was totally random, you wouldn't be looking for a pattern

Hmmm, I like it, and it's less tedious than the hat method. I'll take note of it

Why don't you find one that allows you to list the names of the players and all of that?

We already have numbers next to our names when we sign up.

I was also referring to the fact that we also have to have our jobs assigned to us. If we have our names, then it would be much easier to assign them, right?

Anyhoo, how many peoples are we gonna have this game?

Last one was a bit of trouble with them lurkers holdin' it up...

However many sign up.  At least 4 people from the last game won't be returning.

I'm not this time. A future round, perhaps.