How long have you been a DM?

[wingsandsword]

Wow, there really are a lot of long-time veterans out there.

I first GM'ed in 1997 (GM'ed before I even played), starting with the old SWRPG. A starting one-shot that later developed into a campaign that lasted a year and a half.

As for DM'ing D&D proper, I first did that in 2000 (2e AD&D, then later 3e).

As for skill, I know I started out pretty rough, but I've recieved a fair amount of compliments from my players about my skill. I'm a little mechanistic and rules-heavy at times, but I think I'm certainly a fair DM.

 

[catsclaw227]

17 years, and yes, I'm good at what I do (this excludes the occasional bad session which may happen to anyone).

Same for me, GMing for about 23 years. And I prefer GMing to playing, my experience being about a 80%/20% ratio.

Wait --- let me redo the math. Got my first AD&D DM Guide in 1979 (Efreeti cover -- no more binding, still have it), didn't get to use it until 1980, so that makes it about 25 years.

 

[Gahnomen]

I voted 3-5 years and was surprised to see that I'm overwhelmingly outnumbered by the veterans. Not that I'm complaining though, more experience means (in general) that helpful advice can be offered. Which is exactly why I'm here

I do consider myself a good DM, but I have gone into detail in the other thread and won't do so again here.

 

[Agback]

So, how long have you been a DM, and do you consider yourself "good" at what you do?

My first outing as a DM ws in 1981. Then, I was lousy.

Now I'm pretty good. But not as good as I was from about 1986 to 1990. Then I had less experience, but I got more practice.

 

[glass]

In the 15+ years category, just.

I think I am a reasonable DM, but I'd like to be better!


glass.

 

[Ant]

16 or so years DMing.

I believe I've consistantly been a good DM for my players (let's just not mention the "But I thought you wanted die?" incident nor the market guards with their uncanny ability to detect young mages, ok?).

What surprises me is how my style of DMing has changed ... I've gone from winging entire campaigns and fudging many a dice roll to much more structured campaigns and a more "let the dice fall as they may" attitude.

 

[qstor]

So, how long have you been a DM, and do you consider yourself "good" at what you do?

I've been a DM since 1e.

I think I'm pretty good at ad libbing. I'd like to have a longer running "home" game stick together. Mostly for the last 4 years I've been DMing RPGA Living Greyhawk stuff. My home game feel apart because of player schedules.

Mike

 

[Lord Random]

DMing since 1978 and still going (almost) as strong. Thought Ide have lost interest as ages ticked on but no, up to 3.5 edition now with a shedload of house rules...and my players dont complain

 

[Tinner]

I started in 1979 at the tender age of nine.
I wasn't all that great, but then, my audience wasn't quite as discriminating.
Since then, I have improved greatly.

 

[MonsterMash]

I went with 5-7 years which is actual time DMing, but if I just went on elapsed time since I first DMed it'd be over 20 years. I had a long break from gaming.